Most people think about being in the Army as being solely a land based activity.? There are other operations that the Army is a part of, including watercraft activity.? The Army uses watercraft and vessels of various sizes to support their operations, both in the continental U.S.A. and overseas. The Army trains and staffs personnel to pilot, maintain, navigate and operate this watercraft in support of the Army Mission.
Army Jobs On Water
Army watercraft operators have special skills and ability to be aboard the different types of water vessels.? They use hand held and stationary navigation devices, operate and maintain global positioning electronics, and function as crew members on different types of craft. As an Army watercraft operator you may work on a barge, be a member of a tugboat, or assist in loading or unloading heavy equipment and Army gear on and off of vessels.
The job of Army Watercraft operator can vary and is very interesting. The primary job or responsibility is for cargo operations, piloting, navigation, and the supervision of activity in and around Army watercraft. Army Watercraft operators may be tasked to supervise and direct other Army personnel as part of watercraft missions.
Some of the primary duties of a Army Watercraft operator includes:
-Operating and using amphibious craft for operations and troop landings.
-Providing navigation and operating Army Watercraft.
-Directing and participation in docking, and undocking of Army and military watercraft.
-Communicating with other Army watercraft, military elements and others using beacons, radios, and signal flags.
-Maintaining and operating lifeboats, emergency equipment, and fire equipment.
-Using hoists, block and tackle, davits, winches and capstans to secure and stow cargo.
-Weighing and dropping anchor, and securing anchor about vessels.
-Keeping detailed records, ships logs, and other documentation.
-Maintaining various deck equipment and boat equipment.
-Interpreting and displaying international single letter code flags.
-Communicating and reporting hazards to navigation to vessel master while underway.
Job and skills training starts as with all Army jobs, with Basic Combat Training.? After Basic training, you will progress to individual advanced training.? This will consist of both classroom and in the field training.? You will learn watch standing procedures, ship structure, boat handling, usage of charts, radio, compass and other navigational aids.
As a member of an Army Watercraft team you will learn to work as part of a team.? If you have the ability to work well with others, have an interest in navigation or sailing, or if you are interested in the ocean, then this may be the ideal job in the Army enlisted ranks for you.
I am currently an 88N (Transportation Coordinator Manager) with 10 years of service and within my window of reenlistment. I am greatly interested in the 88 kilo field and would like as much information as possible to reclass.
vr/
Henderson, Lawrence
SSG, USA
Skill Level 1 MOSC 88K1O. Docks and undocks the vessels. Drops and weighs the vessel anchor. Stands lookout and helm watches. Identifies and interprets single-letter international code signal flags. Sends and receives messages with radios, beacons, and signal flags. Operates and maintains lifeboats and vessel firefighting equipment. Knowledgeable in all aspects of marlinespike seamanship. Secures all type of cargo using shipboard machinery such as capstans, winches, hoists, and davits. Paints metal, wood, and fiberglass surfaces. Cleans compartments and decks.
Skill Level 2 MOSC 88K2O. Provides supervision and technical guidance for subordinates. Maintains vessel charts, publications, and orders. Keeps the vessel log book. Navigates a boat or other watercraft. Beaches and retracts landing craft. Tows vessels and barges in harbors and intercoastal waterways.
Skill Level 3 MOSC 88K3O. Instructs subordinates in watercraft and amphibian operational practices, procedures, and techniques. Supervises the embarking and disembarking of troops from the vessel. Establishes and enforces safety procedures. Schedules shipboard watches. Prepares vessel load plans. Schedules and oversees deck maintenance. Supervises maintenance of life saving and firefighting equipment.
Skill Level 4 MOSC 88K4O. Applies Inland and International navigation rules while operating vessels. Conducts crew drills and supervises training on the vessel. Disseminates information on weather and navigational aid changes. Maintains the vessel station bill and crew list. Operates the Mark 27 gyrocompass. Processes operations and intelligence information. Receives, stores, distributes, and turns in vessel supplies, equipment, and food. Administers the vessel mess functions to include all money exchanges, headcount records, daily cook worksheets, and food utilization reports. Coordinates the operation of collective lighter control points (LCPs).
Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS. The watercraft operator must possess the following qualifications:
(1) Physical Demands Rating: very heavy
(2) Physical Profile: 222221
(3) Uncorrected vision acuity of not more than 20/200 in each eye, that corrects with spectacle lenses to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in other eye.
(4) Normal color vision based on no more than four errors in reading the pseudoisochromatic plate test.
(5) Minimum score of 100 in aptitude area MM.
(6) MOSC qualifications per AR 56-9, at each level of skill.
(7) MOS qualification may be attained by meeting the civilian acquired skills criteria listed in AR 601-210.
The major duties, physical demands, physical profile, and skill levels were obtained from Army Pamphlet 611-21.
Do they have medics on board the army vessels
Currently in the Navy, love my job but due to some,,, interesting politics I am considering changing branches.. (job security, Navy is down sizing ect…)
This would really be the only job in the Army that woud really interest me… Wondering if anyone has any information on advancement? Im an E5 now, i know I would retain my rank… But dont know how well advancement is for this MOS?!
Also curious as to rather or not my current skill woud be taken into acount when it comes to ‘skill level’..
Chris- my husband is currently an 88k. Our experience with this MOS has been terrible. The points are maxed out for him to go from E4 to E5. Not sure how the advancement is from there, but I’m assuming it’s not much better. You only have 2 possible duty stations, Ft. Eustis and Hawaii. For some, this is a plus, but we were looking forward to traveling and he picks the one MOS that leaves you stuck at Eustis (Hawaii is very rare) They go on one mission each year called JLOTS, usually the missions are for training purposes but this year a select few went to Antarctica. The main issue with this MOS is the close to impossible chances for advancement. They are also overstrengthed right now and currently downsizing. Hope this helps!
I was in the Army awhile ago. just as a bit of information the civilian sector which I am in, is very short handed in this feild. I hold a pilot license of towing vessels and almost every company in the inland waters and western rivers are hireing and the pay is around $450 per day so if you like what you do but advance ment isn’t going well you could always try a $100k a year job.
SPC Pawlak, Matthew
I am currently an 88M in the 369 TC reserve unit. I am prior navy with 4 years of sea time and 3 years as a soldier. I wish to join an 88M unit but cannot seem to find one anywhere. Requesting any assistance out there to help me.
I am currently in an 88K20 position in Tacoma WA. There are others in CA, FL, VA, HI and, I believe, DE. Just call a recruiter, they will give you the specifics.
To whom may it concern. I have beening in the US Navy for 17 yrs and now with the US Army National Guard out of NY. I am now 20 yrs now in Afgh in a 92A mos. I will love to cross rate to a 88k Mos. I love being on the water and working with ships.
I was stationed in Hawaii as a junior enlisted soldier. Hawaii detachments perform several missions annually between Oahu and Hawai’i. I believe underway time is 16 hours from island to island. The objective is to move military equipment, between the islands, for Army, Marines, and Air Force companies, battalions, and brigades. There is a training area on Hawai’i we called PTA. I’m not going to try to spell what it stands for. The training area is usually used for predeployment training. Basically you can be gone 5-15 days at a time, and this can happen 12 or more times a year. Long days, super hard work, and yes it can suck. But most everything can. It’s a rewarding MOS where you’ll get to see the world, and make friendships that’ll last a lifetime. I’ve been to over 8 countries with the Army. Oh you can get promoted. The Army spells out what you have to do to make rank. If you don’t you’re lazy, talking to you career E-5s. I made my 5 in 3 three years and four months at 648 points.