What should I expect as an Army Reserve 88N assigned to a Transportation Detachment/Movement Control Team?

Aaron Steele — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 13:49:18 -0500

I recently enlisted into the Army Reserve as an 88N Transportation Management Coordinator and am looking for any insight or advice for this MOS.

I scored a 75 on my ASVAB with my line scores all being over 100, I was initially most interested in various 68 series MOSs but due to being an international student at a university in the United Kingdom, and thus being limited to vacancies under the 7th Mission Support Command in Germany, and requiring the Alternate Training Program/Split Option Training in order to keep my student visa, I was offered either 88N or 42A at MEPS. It seemed a little sketchy but I could not afford to wait for other vacancies for various reasons and so I ended up with 88N.

I say all this not to complain but moreso to express that as I was initially fairly uninterested in logistics/transportation roles and thus am quite ignorant about them. Ultimately it is more important to me that I serve in some way rather than how exactly I serve if that makes sense. So I am hoping to learn as much as I can.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2024 3:37 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 15:37:04 -0500

When I was in Germany, we had a Soldier tranvel from Poland to drill with us because he was attending school. 88 series/transportation typically is a lot of drivers, but there are also inspectors. Your acivity in the unit will depend on unit mission. Our unit did a few port operations - verifying what is coming in and out of a country (what is on the boats).
You can read about 88N at https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/support-logistics/transportation-inventory/88n-transportation-management-coordinator.html
More info on 7MSC at https://www.usar.army.mil/7thMSC/

Transportation Management Coordinator

As a Transportation Management Coordinator, you'll plan and manage the transport of Army personnel and equipment. Start your logistics career with the Army today! Click now to get started.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2024 4:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:40:48 -0500

A lot of people may feel it's a blah MOS, but 88N is an important job. Nothing moves without your knowledge.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 7 at 2024 11:54 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 23:54:07 -0500

I retired as a SGM from the 7th ARCOM, now the 7th MSC. The Movement Control Units we had were vitally important to the Army as a whole. During OIF the MCT the 7th ARCOM had did vital movement control functions. Without them the movement forward from Kuwait north would have been screwed up.
What you have to do is keep your eye on the prize. I was a Combat Arms soldier when I moved to Denmark, but there were no Combat Arms units in the 7th ARCOM, so I took the slots I got and drove on. My prize was a retirement and to get to the highest rank I could. I achieved both at the 7th ARCOM. You got a goal in mind. Keep your eye on the goal, march forward and do what ever it takes to achieve that goal.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jan 8 at 2024 2:10 AM

SPC James Neidig — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 02:10:49 -0500

I Was An 88M , A Driver And Everything We Transported Was Made Possible By 88Ns .
They Planned The Loads, Routes And Fuel Stops.
Without 88Ns Nothing Would Have Moved Efficiently And On Time, It’s A Very Important Job.

Response by SPC Robert Keller made Jan 26 at 2024 5:23 AM

SPC Robert Keller — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 05:23:57 -0500

I was an 88N in the USAR assigned to 599th Trans Det (MCT). Being only a 5 man unit, including the LT, we often trained with a larger unit that drilled on the same weekend as us. Usually there were scenarios made up where we would have to plan and execute the movement of supplies to a forward deployed combat unit. Other times it was general Army training, going on an FTX, or going to the range to requalify.

Response by SFC Tim St. Martin made Feb 14 at 2025 11:03 PM

SFC Tim St. Martin — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 23:03:22 -0500

I was an 88N40 then 88Z50. Spending more than 10 years in this logistics field. I did Corps Support with the 311th CSC and then time with the 1394th Deployment Support Brigade. I was Air Load certified, rail load certified, reviewed and approved convoy clearance requests with the Operations, Plans, and Programs Division in a Corp level Movement Control Center. I served as the Liason Officer to the 1st Australian Brigade. Oh yet, and I made rank. Many of the troops I served with retired as First Sergeants and or Sergeants Major or Command Sergeants Major.
There are many worse MOS's