The Fort Drum Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program has partnered with the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute to offer a new Advanced Manufacturing Workshop for transitioning Soldiers and veterans.

There are 12 seats available in each of three workshops in July that will focus on radio frequency and pneumatics. Soldiers do not need to have manufacturing experience, but some training in either hydraulics or basic electronics and AC/DC electrical theory is suggested.

Classes will meet July 6-8 , 12-14 and 19-21 at Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica.

Participants will need to complete eight hours of online instruction in pneumatics a week before starting the classroom instruction. They will learn about air filtrations, compressors, lubrication, piping and other subjects through online Blackboard modules.

Afterward, students will receive hands-on instruction at the college’s pneumatics lab where they will use simulation software to design, verify and observe the functioning of pneumatic circuits that will be assembled and tested.

The radio frequency course is a combination of lecture and hands-on instruction. Topics will include the nature of radio frequency, commonly used frequencies and measurement tools and applications in semiconductor manufacturing.

Kate Alcott, Northeast Advanced Technological Education Center associate director at SUNY Poly, said that the workshops give students an introduction to the topic and can pique an interest toward a manufacturing career.

“If a Soldier takes the workshops, has military mechanical or electrical experience, an ability to follow procedures, pays attention to detail and has pride in workmanship, it is highly likely that manufacturers will be interested in hiring,” she said.

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