Cody Allen, Hill Air Force Base

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Diesel / Heavy Duty Technology
"I am a Diesel Locomotive Technician at Hill Air Force Base making $54,080/yr."
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Cody Allen received a music scholarship to Weber State University as a percussionist. He realized, after two years of school, that if he wanted to earn a decent wage as a musician, he would need to pack his bags and move to a big city. However, Cody didn’t want to leave Utah, so he chose to take a couple years off school and really decide what he wanted to do. He remembered his love of diesel mechanics as a boy and wondered if that was the route he should take. After researching several technical schools and the job market, Cody became excited for a career change to diesel mechanics.

The technical school Cody chose was Davis Applied Technology College because there was “one-on-one instruction, it was self-paced, and the diesel shop was impressive.” He enrolled in the Heavy Duty Diesel program in February of 2003. By May, he had made his way through the basic courses and in just over a year, had finished the entire program.
 
Cody’s instructors, Neil Cheney and Terry Rich, noticed his great aptitude for mechanics, so when a rare opportunity came from Hill Air Force Base (HAFB), they eagerly encouraged him to apply. Cody interviewed for HAFB’s Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). While he was waiting to hear whether or not he had been hired, his instructors recommended him for Outstanding Student through Cummings Rocky Mountain. In June of 2004, Cody was notified that he had been hired to work at HAFB.
 
Cody began his employment at HAFB in January of 2005. He started as a helper to other mechanics and did a lot of side jobs, making $10/hour. However, Cody has worked hard and almost made his way to senior mechanic now, making $26/hour. “Without going through the Diesel program at DATC, I wouldn’t be here. I’m really enjoying this and I’m doing so well and succeeding. I have two kids and a nice house now. I don’t know where I’d be had I not decided to enroll at DATC.”
 
Cody is especially grateful that the cost at DATC was so minimal. He paid his way through the first three months of the program, but soon found out about scholarship options. He applied and by the time he finished the program, Cody had only spent $700 on his entire training. “Under $1,000, I got a great education and a great job!”
Date Attended: 
08/2003 - 08/2004
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