I know that 88m's are a target in Iraq so it may be a stupid choice. My recruiter told me I'd be giving my parents a heart attack. What's life like as an 88m? What do you do when you're not deployed? Are you just a chauffeur?

Not deployed? From what I can tell they sit around chain smoking all day.

Hmm, guess that sucks for me-I don't smoke...I guess, if it's part of my job I'll have to start.

quote:

Originally posted by WiFiWarrior:
Not deployed? From what I can tell they sit around chain smoking all day.

...or finding new and interesting things to leave in the cab of the truck.

To come out of the PX carrying bags, while the Infantry look on in angry envy.

Just know that nothing in the Army works without 88m to bring it to them. I joined agin and am deploying soon. My recruoiter had to talk me out of 19d and into 88m.(found out Ive been driving for 15 years as a sillyvillan) we dont get all the glory that the combat guys get. But when they want and need anything they all love us. For now ill keep trying this 88m thing.

quote:

Originally posted by 17611583:
Hmm, guess that sucks for me-I don't smoke...I guess, if it's part of my job I'll have to start.

LOL!!

You know, you could hang with some 63B's and learn a few things about your vehicle so that if something doesn't seem or feel right with your rig you could be coherent when letting them know. Just a thought. It's a major pet peeve for my love.

Rule #1 - change your own tires

Rule #2 - tighten your own loose hoses and clamps

Rule #3 - pour your own dry sweep

Rule #4 - clean up the dry sweep yourself.....today, not tomorrow

Rule #5 - if the oil is low, you fill it goddamit

And you thought you'd be driving all the time!

The MOS is a double edged sword for me actually...I love driving these big beauties, but we don't do enough of it.

When I reentered the GBuard I was told that my old job (howitzer ammunition handler) was no longer done on the firing battery level, but from the support level, which required the 88M MOS. WHAT A JOKE!! I went through the school, got back to my unit to fing 45 88M soldiers...and 4 vehicles! Never got behind the wheel again. So I lucked out and transfered to a unit deploying to Iraq under the 31B MOS (MP).

I have no idea if I will ever tough a military truck again, but if I do, I will be one sh^t happy driver!! HOOAH!!

But I think it will just sit in my records now for promotion points.

Hope you like being a Spec 4! There are perks believe it or not. Not having to walk everywhere IS one of them. It has to be better than 64C school!

Roger that. Walking does suck.

I too am considering this mos. I am 36 years old with a wife and 2 teenage daughters. Am I crazy for even thinking about this? What is the job like? Do you like it? Please give some details of the pros and cons and some general stuff about it. I would really appreciate it.

If your not driving, if in a line haul unit, Hope you like changing and building tires. You can end up in any kind of unit. Engineers, trans, even infantry. Be prepared to drive some old, ragged out, barely driveable hunks of junk. You think I'm kidding?

Hehe...this takes me back. I started this thread. It makes me realize how long I've considered joining and what MOS's I've considered. I can honestly tell you-I'm glad I didn't choose 88m. Mostly because I don't want to drive everyone around. I'd rather fix them, thank you very much. Then I'll reclass so I can fix the helicopters. Sounds a hell of a lot better to me. However, anyone considering 88m-you have my respect. I don't think I could do it though. I just wanted to see some action.
If you do become 88m, maybe I'll be fixing your vehicles. If so, be nice to them!
Catch you on the flipside!

Good lord, what a load of bunk. Of course 88M are drivers, and you haul a lot of freight. Every now and then you are responsible for fixing your own trucks, but 63B or 63S are the mechanics, not you. Tire changing depends on the vehicle, and check the MAC chart so your mechanics don't get over on you, they will try their best. And never, I repeat, never, start any vehicle without checking the fluid levels. If someone drains the oil, then leaves it, and you start it and blow the motor, you are responsible. Chauffer jobs are usually a special duty assignment, especially when you get above chicken colonels.

i just enlisted as an 88M....i leave for BCT on the 27th.

are there really gonna be so many 88M's to where i wont even get to do my job? or does it just depend on the unit im in?

Being a new guy, you will definately have many opportunities to do your job. I wasn't an 88M during my reserve time, so, I have no idea what 88m does on the weekends.

As a mechanic I need to check that MAC chart myself so no one thinks I'm trying to get anything over on them. I always thought drivers change all their own tires. I told a kid the other day that he needed to change his LHS tire. That's no small job. I'll have to look it up and see of a Mike should be changing that big of a tire or not.

We have some good Mikes. They know how to handle their trucks. The thing is you can only drive so much. No need to waste fuel. Unless we are in the field or something needs picked up somewhere they really don't drive much more than an hour or two a week. The rest of the time is chill time for those guys.

Always changed my own tires. The only exception was when I was in the engineers, and that was on the super huge equipment like 10 grand forklifts, and the like.