Become a Small Arms Repairer with the Delaware Army National Guard

Are you a skilled mechanic with a keen eye for detail? Do you have a passion for firearms and a desire to support the mission of the Delaware Army National Guard? The Surface Maintenance Office is currently hiring for a Small Arms Repairer in New Castle, Delaware. This role is essential for ensuring that our guardsmen are equipped with reliable, accurate, and safe weaponry. If you are looking for a career that combines technical expertise with service to your community and country, this position offers a unique path.

Job Responsibilities

As a Small Arms Repairer, your daily duties will be both varied and critical:

Diagnostics and Repair: You will disassemble, inspect, and troubleshoot mechanical malfunctions across a wide range of weapons, including handguns, shotguns, automatic rifles, and heavy machine guns.
Precision Accurization: For competitive and national match weapons, you will refine mass-produced components to meet the highest performance standards, involving tasks like lapping, filing, and grinding parts to meet exact tolerances.
Security and Accountability: You will be responsible for the stringent security of sensitive items and arms within restricted-access vaults.
Testing: Following repairs, you will perform operational checks and test-firing to confirm that weapons meet safety and performance requirements.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, candidates must meet specific criteria regarding experience and military status:

Requirement Type	Criteria
Military Status	Must be a member of the DE Army National Guard
Experience (WG-08)	12 months in mechanical systems repair
Experience (WG-09)	18 months in complex weapon repair/accurization
Security Clearance	Secret level or ability to obtain one
Documentation	Must submit DNG 51-R and specific SF-50s

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive hourly wage, ranging from $25.50 to $35.77. Compensation is commensurate with your skills and the grade level (WG-08 to WG-09) for which you are found qualified.

Benefits

Employees in this role gain the stability of a federal position combined with the unique benefits associated with the National Guard. This includes job security, professional growth within the maintenance field, and the satisfaction of contributing to the operational readiness of the Delaware National Guard.

Application Tips

Customize Your Resume: Do not copy the job description. Instead, highlight your specific experience using your own words.
Detail Your Work: Ensure your resume clearly shows the dates of employment, hours worked per week, and a clear description of the mechanical duties performed.
Formatting Matters: Keep your resume under two pages and ensure the font is at least 10pt to avoid formatting issues.
Check Your Documentation: Always include the required DNG 51-R form and any relevant SF-50s if you have previous federal service.

Serving as a Small Arms Repairer is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the readiness of our forces. If you possess the mechanical skills required and meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply. Start your journey today by reviewing the announcement and ensuring your application package is complete.

Why This Small Arms Repairer Job Matters

Master the art of precision and defense as a Small Arms Repairer with the Delaware Army National Guard—where your technical skills secure the nation's readiness.

Small Arms Repairer Job Overview

The Delaware Army National Guard is seeking a dedicated Small Arms Repairer to join the Surface Maintenance Office in New Castle, Delaware. This dual-status, Title 32 excepted service position is vital to maintaining operational readiness. You will be responsible for the inspection, diagnostic testing, overhaul, and repair of a diverse array of weaponry, ranging from sidearms to heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. This role offers the unique opportunity to combine mechanical expertise with national security duties, including the specialized accurization of match-grade weapons for competition and service.

Requirements for Small Arms Repairer

Membership in the Delaware Army National Guard
Must possess or be able to obtain a Secret security clearance
For WG-08: Minimum 12 months of specialized experience in weapons repair and mechanical diagnosis
For WG-09: Minimum 18 months of specialized experience in complex repair, overhaul, and accurization
Proficiency in utilizing precision hand and power tools, micrometers, and optical measuring devices
Ability to interpret technical manuals, blueprints, and assembly specifications
Valid state driver's license

Preferred Qualifications for Small Arms Repairer

Prior experience as a commodity inspector in maintenance evaluations
Demonstrated ability to perform advanced accurization procedures on national match rifles and pistols
Knowledge of metal tempering and specific material hardness characteristics
Previous experience participating in Maintenance Assistance Instruction Teams (MAIT)

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal dual-status technician benefits
✓Contribution to state and national emergency defense
✓Opportunities for professional technical development
✓Access to military-grade maintenance facilities and equipment
✓Structured career advancement within the National Guard

💡 How to Apply Small Arms Repairer Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Small Arms Repairer Job

Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages and clearly details relevant experience by date, hours per week, and job title.
Log into your USAJOBS account or create a new profile.
Complete the online Occupational Questionnaire via the link provided in the announcement.
Submit your resume, the required DNG 51-R form, and any necessary SF-50 documentation.
Verify your application status via the USAJOBS portal after submission.

💡 General Tips

Do not copy and paste the job description directly into your resume; describe your experience in your own words.
Ensure your resume includes specific dates (MM/DD/YY) and average hours worked per week for every position listed.
Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all federal requirements are captured correctly.
Double-check your application for clarity and legibility, as resumes smaller than 10pt font may not be processed.
If you are a federal employee, include SF-50 forms that explicitly verify time-in-grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a civilian or military position?

This is a Title 32 National Guard dual-status position, meaning it requires you to maintain military membership in the Delaware Army National Guard while serving as a federal technician.

What level of security clearance is required?

Applicants must either possess a Secret security clearance or be able to obtain one within one year of their appointment.

Can I use education to substitute for the required experience?

No, there are no substitutions of education for the required specialized experience in this position.

What is the primary focus of the accurization process?

*A: Accurization involves altering and refining parts to improve the accuracy and reliability of competition weapons, moving them beyond factory specifications.*

Is a degree required?

*A: No, education cannot be substituted for the specialized experience required for this role.*

Job from Army National Guard Units

The Delaware Army National Guard maintains a proud tradition of service. As a citizen-soldier force, it serves both the state and the nation. By working within the Surface Maintenance Office, you become an integral part of the team that manages the equipment necessary for collective defense and emergency response. This position is a Title 32 excepted service role, which requires both federal employment and active military membership in the Delaware National Guard.