92F day to day life? Prior service USMC going to AIT soon, any advice?

2018-11-09T17:48:18-05:00

I'm prior service doing the blue to green program, and the only job they could offer me was 92F, not because of my ASVAB score but because that was the only job available. I just want to know how AIT is in general and what I have to look forward to these next 3 years? And any advice on this job would be appreciated. ?

Response by SPC Kyle Rauch made Nov 9 at 2018 8:37 PM

2018-11-09T20:37:37-05:00

Try getting into an aviation unit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2018 9:07 PM

2018-11-09T21:07:31-05:00

More than likely you’ll be assigned to operate heavy wheeled vehicles as well as being a fueler. Pmcs’ing vehicles will happen daily. Being prior service, look forward to being given some responsibilities, but I don’t think they’ll make you a platoon guide. You can also volunteer for rasp or ranger school at ait if you wish I believe.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2018 3:48 AM

2018-11-10T03:48:56-05:00

Active or reserve/guard? Your life will vary greatly depending on your unit. You may be on a flight line in an aviation unit, or in a line unit. Possibly on a tank farm gaging fuel blivets. My unit supports an armor battalion, so we’re in the field a lot. I have E4s acting like Sergeants because I have to trust them to carry out one mission while I’m off on another. Long term outlook, you can make E5 without too much trouble, but E6 and up gets thin pretty quick. Something to consider down the road is going warrant officer, 923A. I like the job, there’s a lot of independence because nobody knows how to effectively utilize you. Once you know what needs to get done, you can have some real say in you unit since they realize quick wheels need fuel to roll.
As for AIT, I came in through the reclass route. It was a lot of memorization and as far as I understand, it’s one of the few closed book schools in the Army.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 11 at 2018 12:24 AM

2018-11-11T00:24:46-05:00

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member day to day will vary by unit type....but this will be a common theme: PMCS, recirculating, recirculating, recirculating, fuel filter effectiveness test, recirculating, accountability reporting monthly.

If you are in a CSSB it will be PMcS, redirculating, recirculating, recirculating, fuel filter effectiveness test, recirculating, accountability reporting monthly. You may spend a lot of time driving to deliver it to a tank rack modules (TRM akin to the new HIPPO for water) swap, tanker exchange, or belly to belly transfers with BSBs and FSCs. Our Unit at Carson used to go to Denver and pick up the fuel from the DESC vendor and push it to Carson and distribute it to units in Garrison...kind of what they did doctrinally. Don't know if they still do that.

If you are in aviation you'll be testing your fuel like crazy (aquaglow for water content). Hot and cold refuel. You may have to learn all the FARP tasks including arming the aircraft.

If you are in an FSC, you will be doing tactical refuels or ROMs. Sometimes you end up running a tactical retail point in a tactical assembly area or support area. Gunnery support in Garrison.

If you establish a fuel farm, that is a very cool capability requiring constant recirculating through the filters and fuel water separators. Establishing the farm is very challenging and requires some real thought. The equipment must be maintained with vigilance to ensure your hoses and pumps are not dry rotted or seals blown. I don't know if they still use FSSPs.

The Army worked dillegently after ODS to go to a single fuel battlefield, after putzing around with 5-6 different fuel types. With lead pipe cruelty, everything became JP8 or obsolete. Then during the GWOT we picked up UAVs that needed AVGAS, a bunch of NTVs that needed MOGAS, we had contractor aircraft that wanted JET-A or straight diesel II. Then there were one offs we had to get 500gallons of to last 6 months. The BSB I was with in Afghanistan had five fuels we received, stored, issued, dispensed and distributed. We ran a helicopter friendly habitat, so we had 50K hot refuel supplied by assault hose line from the million gallons worth of bags.

You'll work with 92Ls at the lab to ensure fuel quality.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 4:07 PM

2018-11-15T16:07:25-05:00

Surprised they didn’t put you in for 92A since you were a 3051. 92F is demanding because everyone needs fuel, from vehicles to generators. I’m in a Brigade Support BN, a higher echelon than an FSC, but lower than a CSSB. You’ll be asked for fuel support for any and everyone who needs it. You’ll wind up operating as a truck driver, a shade tree mechanic, a water dog if need be, etc.......You’re there to support the needs of maneuver elements or aviation assets. Since you were support before (a FSSG maybe?) you’ll adapt to that part of life. You’ll now have to adapt to how the Army does things. But all in all you may enjoy it. I came from a different branch of service (Navy Corpsman) AND was combat arms (Cav Scout), so that’s why my transition has been less than smooth. All in all it’s dependent on how well your unit is. But like someone said earlier, Aviation is the place to be. I’ve only been Bradley’s and Tanks.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-11-19T09:44:27-05:00

Day to day varies by assignment, I was in 82nd CAB for my 8 years active in an aviation support bn, most days it was pmcs the trucks, recirculation, and the occasional farp, however I went to the guard and was put in an fsc for 2 years and it was mainly refueling vehicles and the pmcs every drill.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 4:01 AM

2018-12-02T04:01:23-05:00

Easy, but boring

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-12-11T10:09:20-05:00

Aviation is the best life for a fueler.. and be prepared to go to NTC alot... Ait is easy probably even easier these days... And odds are you will learn to drive everything with out tracks..