What are the day-to-day life, advancement and general happiness like in 19K, 15U/T or 68C?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 15:54:15 -0500

Afternoon all,
As the title says I'm coming up on reenlistment and have no intention on staying my current MOS. I've already started working with my retention NCO. I have a few options and just looking for some personal experience from the people here. When I enlisted initially I was an 11B. Got out, and upon coming back in I was reclassed to 74D. I'd like something that is more involved and I'll actually be doing something other than extra duties.

19K interests me because tanks...obviously.

I've always been fascinated with aviation in general and would love to work on helicopters with a chance of being able to fly.

I intend on going to get my BSN when I get out and I've almost completed my AS. I figured 68C would give my a headstart but I'd still need to do a transfer program to RN upon getting out.

Sorry for being long winded, but I'm looking for some information on day to day life, advancement and general happiness in the field of these MOSs. Thank you all.

Response by SSG William Jones made Dec 22 at 2018 4:00 PM

SSG William Jones — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:00:58 -0500

I really enjoyed my time as a 19Kilo. I don't know of a more awesome piece of mechanized weaponry that stays on the ground!!!

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 22 at 2018 4:07 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:07:27 -0500

Never met a tanker that didn't love their job and I worked with a lot of tankers. It is a rough job - as most combat arms jobs are, but you already know that - but it is fun and the promotion points are obtainable lol. If you are looking at making a career out of the military you could do worse than 19K.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 4:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:13:18 -0500

I absolutely loved working at the bedside as a 68C. I reclassed from aviation and wish I would have done so sooner.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 5:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 17:02:18 -0500

Take out student loans or use your GI Bill and get the BSN now, Then come back in as an officer and a nurse. If your goal is BSN anyway, why waste your time with anything else

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 6:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:10:56 -0500

Aviation is the best career field in the Army in my opinion. It’s not easy though. Regardless of whether you’re Active, Guard, or Reserve, the days can be long and you might feel like they expect you to cram 50lbs of crap into a 5lb bag.

It does open doors for you to walk into a $25-$30/hr job. The UTARNG is currently in search of 15T and 15R for their technician workforce.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 6:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:47:07 -0500

I can't speak for the lifestyle, but I can tell you that I haven't seen 68C class seats for the last month, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Also, CMF 15 and CMF 68 are restricted to non promotable E4 and below. If you're a prior service E4 you are probably promotable by now and not qualified to request those.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 8:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 20:24:14 -0500

Go get your BSN. Have you looked into doing ROTC or the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP)? Both are good options. I know the ROTC timeframe is mostly closed for this upcoming year, I’m pretty sure the Division Hip Pocket Scholarship is still available though (not a lot of people try for them or know about them, so they are a little easier to get). And AECP pays for nursing school and I know the time frame is closed on this one.

Don’t become a 68C if your end goal is BSN. Go straight to your BSN.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 8:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 20:35:28 -0500

I entered MTC at Ft. Sam Houston for 91A10 and earned the 91B20 before completing AIT. After I returned from being in country, I attended MFSS and earned the 91C20 MOS. Now a days your designator would be 68C. I for one enjoyed my time doing florr and field work. Even did a lot of sick calls. But have never regretted that MOS choice.

Response by SFC Jerry Goings made Jan 30 at 2019 3:42 PM

SFC Jerry Goings — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:42:56 -0500

Stay with the Dats man everyone wants to be a TANKER I DID 22 YEARS I started on the M 60A1

Response by PFC Anthony Albensi made Apr 18 at 2019 1:54 PM

PFC Anthony Albensi — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:54:41 -0400

I'm a little late to the party, but I can help shed some light on 19k. I did two years back in 2003-2005. They had a two year option for combat units during the war.

I saw you said you were 11B, which is Infantry I think? I will tell you that 19k is very similar to 11B, except on road marches, you throw you duffle bags on the tank and roll out, lol. I've had Infantry say that when shit gets bad, it's nice to hear a tank rolling in and realizing that it's on your team. Haha.

On the bad side, Tank PMCS (Maintenance,etc.) Is pure hell, especially in Iraq lol. My back still isn't right from doing track back then. Also, because you are a "Combat Unit", you end up doing a lot of stuff that infantry has to do, if your superiors need it done.

But man! When you're not in the motor pool or selected to do some grunt work, it's a hell of a lot of fun!

Response by SPC Manny Managuit made May 1 at 2019 3:14 PM

SPC Manny Managuit — Wed, 01 May 2019 15:14:18 -0400

Tank goes BOOM!