Where Do 88k Get Stationed

In today'southward mail, I'd like to educate y'all about the Army 88k MOS: the Watercraft Operator.

I don't know well-nigh you, merely when I think about boats, ships, and vessels in the military, I think well-nigh the Navy or Coast Baby-sit. What about people don't realize is that the Army has its ain fleet of vessels. Soldiers working on these vessels oft serve in the Army 88K MOS, which is known as a watercraft operator.

If yous beloved the thought of working on vessels, but don't have the desire to serve in the Navy, Coast Guard, or Marines, this might simply be the best option for you.

88k MOS Duties & Responsibilities

Here are a few of the basic duties and responsibilities of the 88K MOS:

The watercraft operator leads, operates, and performs seamanship duties on Army watercraft. The Watercraft Operator must exist competent in the use of electronic navigation equipment (e.g., sonar and radar), navigational aids, radios, and single-alphabetic character international lawmaking flags; good at docking/undocking vessels and loading/unloading vessels. Watercraft Operators receive extensive grooming in impairment control, firefighting, lifesaving, and rescue procedures. MOS 88K NCOs are trained for independent watercraft operations. ~ Transportation.army.mil

In simple terms, this is what they practice on a daily footing:

Docking and undocking vessels
Send and receive messages by flag, radio, or beacon
Maintain lifeboats and firefighting equipment
Anchoring
Prepare vessels for sea
General watercraft security
Maintain watercraft surfaces and compartment
Inspect emergency and service equipment
Secure cargo on vessel

Requirements for 88K MOS

In order to qualify for this MOS, you must meet the post-obit criteria:

To be eligible for this role, you'll need a score of at least 99 on the mechanical maintenance (MM) department of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) examination. This position doesn't require a Section of Defense force security clearance, but the normal color vision is required. You'll need to have uncorrected vision of 20/200 in each centre that corrects with lenses or eyeglasses to 20/twenty in one centre and 20/40 in the other. ~ The Balances

In layman's terms:

Both men and women are eligible
Normal color vision required
No Security Clearance required
Physical profile of 211222
Score a 99 in area MM on the ASVAB
Heavy lifting requirement

AIT for the 88K MOS

The AIT for the 88K MOS is at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The course is half-dozen weeks long. Here is a brief overview of what you will learn in AIT:

Seamanship and vessel operations
Shipboard customs and courtesies
Emergency h2o survival
Shipboard firefighting
Damage inspection and control
Emergency procedures
Secure cargo
Operate deck machinery
Stand lookout watches
Perform duties of Helmsman
Identify and transport international code signals
Proper maintenance and services of vessel equipment

Career Opportunities

This is a great MOS career if you want to stay in the enlisted ranks. It also gives you the opportunity to become a commissioned officer or Warrant Officeholder, subsequently yous go some experience. If you choose to get out the Army at any point, you lot would be qualified to work at a port, loading dock, on a vessel, as an teacher, or a diverseness of other careers. You lot could also piece of work on a cruise send, a ferry, barge, or tugboat.

As you progress through the ranks, there are besides opportunities to serve as a recruiter, Career Counselor, or Drill Sergeant.

Terminal Thoughts

In summary, the 88K MOS is a neat MOS for anyone who enjoys the open h2o and wants to serve in the Army. Information technology offers opportunity for travel by ocean, upward mobility, and plenty of options after you exit the armed forces.

On a side notation, I would love to hear from you. If you lot've spent whatever fourth dimension in the Ground forces 88K MOS, I would love to hear nearly your experience. Please share your story most what unit you lot were in, what preparation was like, what you did for day-to-day activities, and any tips you might have for someone serving in this MOS. Just leave a comment beneath to practise so. I expect forward to hearing from yous.