My kid is looking into the Watercraft Operator (88K) MOS. What can anyone tell me about it? What is the highest rank achievable?

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:11:39 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2016 3:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:14:39 -0500

It is a real MOST, I myself am an 88K, we operate small tugs, large tugs, floating cranes, and two types of cargo carriers, LCU 2000, and LSV's

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2016 3:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:15:02 -0500

Highest ranking to sail is warrant, CW5

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Nov 17 at 2016 3:16 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:16:49 -0500

I don't know anything about this MOS. Take a look at this link: http://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/transportation-and-aviation/watercraft-operator.m.html

Watercraft Operator, Boat Operator Jobs (88K) | GoArmy.com

The Watercraft Operator (88K) is responsible for navigation, cargo operations and supervising Army watercrafts. Learn about watercraft operator jobs at goarmy.com.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Nov 17 at 2016 3:16 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:16:51 -0500

I don't know anything about this MOS. Take a look at this link: http://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/transportation-and-aviation/watercraft-operator.m.html

Watercraft Operator, Boat Operator Jobs (88K) | GoArmy.com

The Watercraft Operator (88K) is responsible for navigation, cargo operations and supervising Army watercrafts. Learn about watercraft operator jobs at goarmy.com.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 17 at 2016 8:00 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 20:00:16 -0500

did not know they had any left on active duty...

Response by SSG Tom Pike made Nov 18 at 2016 11:30 AM

SSG Tom Pike — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:30:31 -0500

My Son is an 88K. There are 2 active duty stations, Ft Eustis where most of them are, and one company in Hawaii.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2016 4:19 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:19:55 -0500

I ask this with complete ignorance about what the comparable opportunities are, but why isn't your kid considering Navy?

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2016 3:14 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 03:14:57 -0500

its fairly common to see Warren officers in the watercraft MOS sergeant. Great MOS. I'd highly recommend it to your kid

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2016 9:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 21:37:09 -0500

It's a great MOS , it will take him from Kuwait to Hawaii. We move everything from Connex's to Tanks. The highest rank is CW5 but only a few ever make it that far and most don't care. We are a small group and everyone pretty much knows someone you know if your in it. Their is alot of schooling that also goes along with it. Arpa /Radar , GMDSS , BRM , ECT...

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2016 5:47 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 05:47:28 -0500

As a boatie myself (88L) I can tell you its one of the best fields in the army. As a Kilo, you travel a lot. They'd do AIT in Ft eustis and probably get stationed there as well. It's an amazing field

Response by SPC Thomas Wilson made Nov 22 at 2016 6:07 PM

SPC Thomas Wilson — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 18:07:19 -0500

Hi I am a 88 k vet. It was awsome. There are many different Vessels types to be on. My favorite was a tug boat the lt 74 from the 73rd trans bat. You have to be willing to go anywhere your boat can go anywhere in the world. P.s. its really hard to get poisen ivy on a boat. Thats what sold it for me. Tugs of war!!!

Response by SGT Clint Hackney made Nov 25 at 2016 4:04 PM

SGT Clint Hackney — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 16:04:49 -0500

My son was a Watercraft Engineer, he liked it a lot. He worked closely with the operators, which usually are warrant officers. He said it was very rewarding, they even cruise through the Caribbean. I hope your kid doesn't get sea sick, LSU's and LSV's are flat bottom ships!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2016 5:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:22:42 -0500

Hi, Ssg here, 88K30, the boatie life is great if your not a home body, but love the water and traveling.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2016 6:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 18:38:56 -0500

So I am an 88k and to be honest because our field is so small promoting is hard! It took me almost 2years to become SGT after being on the promotion list! In active duty they will be stuck in fort eustis FOREVER as there really is no where else to go! Battalion does not like sending people to school as it puts someone away from the unit and in their mind it's man down!!! 88k is not a place for progression! I would recommend going to a different fiend where there is variety

Response by SPC Jeff Zizek made Feb 22 at 2017 3:49 AM

SPC Jeff Zizek — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 03:49:22 -0500

Warrant officer as fare as highest rank.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2017 10:18 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:18:41 -0500

Best kepted secret in the Army! Additionally....we have 35 National Maritime Center USCG approved courses and growing! So when our soldiers get out after their enlistment or retire they walk out with a Merchant Marine Credential from the USCG that allows them to go straight to work in the civilian industry! By the way, I'm A 880A Marine Deck Officer.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2017 4:04 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 16:04:03 -0400

Above rank safety is the absolute. For the most part it is the number one enemy next to the POV. It is imperative for the crews to be nonexclusinary due to the close quarters living and working.Safety Safety Safety. .

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2017 5:04 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 17:04:06 -0400

88K40 E7 enlisted WO1 to CW5 Warrant 880 A1/A2

Response by PV2 Nik Hubbard made Aug 14 at 2017 6:58 PM

PV2 Nik Hubbard — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:58:28 -0400

SPC, unless they drop a warrant packet.

Response by SGT John Steiner made Oct 13 at 2017 5:30 PM

SGT John Steiner — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 17:30:28 -0400

I transfered to a watercraft unit back in the 90's, coming from a communications field. It was great. At the time we had LCM 8800 series vessels.
Never expected to part of an outstanding unit.