I may reclass to 13M, can anyone give some insight?

SGT(P) Daniel McBride — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:52:46 -0500

I'm currently an 88M20 located at Fort Hood. I've been doing some research and 13M has crossed my mind. Is there anyone here that can give some insight as far as a normal work day, duty station locations, pros & cons? It'd be greatly appreciated

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Jan 25 at 2016 8:56 PM

SGT Larry Prentice — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:56:18 -0500

I reclassed from 13B and it was super easy. Went to Sill for 3 weeks. It was basically a 9-5 day, classroom and field training

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 10:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:37:38 -0500

I reclassed from 88m to 13f brother if youre looking for a more uptempo job class dont go 13m they are the biggest ground to ground artillery we have but rarely are utilized anymore. Go 13F youll learn alot more and support joint operations and its alot more fun getting to call the stuff in then pull the trigger and never get to see it land.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 7:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 07:54:34 -0500

If you are a 13M, you are essentially rotating between Bragg, JBLM, Sill, and Korea when not doing nominative jobs. Keep that in mind if you like or dislike any of these locations. Good luck!

Response by SPC William Del Valle made Jan 26 at 2016 1:46 PM

SPC William Del Valle — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:46:58 -0500

I was 13P which work with 13M and its ok if you love to blow big things up. However, SSG Mark Chapman is right Artillery (MLRS) is hardly used anymore. My cousin was 13F and he loved it, but like the military it's not for everyone. Like I said I was 13P and I reclassed to 88M thinking it was better but it's basically all the same. What I mean by that is all the bull crap you have to do. As an 88M in combat or garrison we still did our Mission which is to supply the Battalion. As an 13M or 13P your constantly doing details and no actual training so you lose focus. Also CPT Lu is right as a 13M you are Limited to where you can be stationed. Getting stationed at Fort Bragg is very hard so you will be mostly at Sill or Korea. As a 13F you can go just about anywhere. I would look to see if there was any other MOS you might like.

A normal day would be PT in the morning, then motor pool all day! Then COB then home to do it all over again the next day. It's all most the same as an 88M but you are stuck in the motor pool all day or on some detail. As a 13M or 13P you can only do your job at FTXs therefore your are doing details all the time. Unlike other combat MOSs like 11B which can do thire jobs in the Barricks such as how to clear rooms.
Well good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2016 3:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:52:00 -0500

The 13M MLRS... they are artillery and they go to the field a lot. must of the time is maintenance, and practice. for all other it OK i worked with them for a few years and were one of the best unit i have bean. Just don't tell them you were 88M or you will be doing AMMO Detail...

Response by SGT Marcus King made Feb 3 at 2016 7:05 PM

SGT Marcus King — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 19:05:09 -0500

Ive been out of the Army for 12 years now, but I wouldn't change a thing. The training was good, but as was mentioned earlier, the M270 is maintenance intensive. Not every 13M gets to be a part of a launcher crew, I believe soldiers considering this MOS need to understand the reality of the ammo platoon. In my 8 years active, 2 were spent in a launcher and the remaining 6 was ammo. A platoon sergeant may make the assumption that since you are a former 88M you would be better tasked as an ammo section chief, and spend most of your garrison days keeping the HEMTT fleet operational. Something to consider and I've seen it happen.

Response by CPL Steve Wilson made Feb 3 at 2016 8:37 PM

CPL Steve Wilson — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 20:37:04 -0500

I was in the first operational battalion of 13M stationed out of Ft. Sill back in the day. Liked it as my first MOS but re upped for more. I would say it probably hasn't changed much. A lot of motor pool work and field training with once a year live fires. I would upgrade to a more civilian / crossover MOS for when u decide to retire.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 8:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 20:37:08 -0500

I reclassed to 13M a little less than a year ago (June 2015) and thus far I thoroughly enjoy it. The thing I miss the most is jumping.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 9:55 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:55:05 -0400

I joined as a 13M and so far I love it. The field is pretty great. I am stationed in WA and we've had great opportunities to travel to places like Alaska etc.

Response by SGT Daniel Neikirk made Aug 12 at 2017 12:10 AM

SGT Daniel Neikirk — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:10:37 -0400

Nothing wrong with 13M yes we get field time and motor pool time, missions during field time are less rockets fired at target now then back in early 90's where we did fired two six pack missions, there's still a need for deep strike artillery in today's combat missions, I had three MOS's and when I went back in I went straight back to 13M instead of going back as 13B1P or 19 D

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 12:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 12:37:46 -0400

I'm a 13M and I love it mainly because I'm in a HIMARS unit.