What to expect from H8 school?

2018-05-05T04:16:48-04:00

I'm getting ready to finally get H8 off my bucket list. What should I expect walking in? What should I expect to change afterward? Different roles? Different opportunities?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 5 at 2018 5:29 AM

2018-05-05T05:29:16-04:00

H8 is a new one to me,but it should give you a great boost for going to SSG.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made May 5 at 2018 6:29 AM

2018-05-05T06:29:57-04:00

Needs of the Army.... a vague answer but also so true. I’d excel as a mechanic, a recovery specialist and a driver. However, wherever your unit have a need, it is where you might end up going.
For example by the time I returned to Korea for my second tour there, I already had garnered lots of experience and knowledge being deployed twice to Iraq. But my new unit, in their immense wisdom thought that I should be working as mail clerk. While at the mailroom, my work ethic was impeccable, and attracted the attention of the unit’s high hierarchy. When my time was done at the mailroom, I didn’t return to the Motorpool, instead the unit send me to the Company’s Orderly Room and I became their newest NCOIC and First Platoon Sergeant, and I was still an Specialist (P). Once again Needs of the Army and I hope this diatribe helps.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 6:41 AM

2018-05-05T06:41:45-04:00

Are you coming to Echo 832nd OD BN Fort Lee, VA?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-05-05T11:12:22-04:00

I don’t remember the school well, but I remember recovering plenty of vehicles and enjoying bringing up the rear of the units convoys. As with anything in the Army be flexible and be prepared for a fast paced environment. Most of all be careful, being a recovery vehicle operator you will find yourself on the side of the road hooking up a broken truck. That is scary experience because as I’m sure you’ll find people often don’t move over for disabled vehicles.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 11:20 AM

2018-05-05T11:20:52-04:00

Following this thread, we were supposed to go several times but, being in a maintenance company they are quick to give up on sending us, hopefully we’re going in July. Our class just got cancelled for May a couple weeks ago

Response by SGT Jake Miller made May 7 at 2018 10:01 AM

2018-05-07T10:01:48-04:00

I was h8 before i was medically retired. If you are going h8 plan for long days and lack of sleep. Also plan on being woke up for,stupid stuff

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-07-09T19:20:32-04:00

So to answer your question about the school, you will be doing lay outs (begining and end of class) of the equipment for the vehicles they will be using, learning how to operate all the controls of both the M984 and M1083 wreckers, learn the abilities of the trucks for driving them, use the winches and crane at the same time to roll vehicles back upright and lay them back down for others to practice the same skill, learn how to use oxygen and actylene cutting techniques from set up to use and talk about tear down if your the last one to use it, figure out the mire factor of the vehicle that your group will pull out of the mud pit, and CTRL F for your test of the class room. Pay attention to detail on the written test as i missed 2 question on the final test and screwed myself out of honor grad from the class. Make sure you either bring a really crap pair of boots and uniform or coveralls for the mire pit because you will get wet and muddy.

This next part I'm not sure if they have incorprated this yet but they should be showing you on the Combat recoverys with using flat bed recovery options, M1000 trailer, all low bed trailers, and self recovery trailers. It has been a couple of years since I've been to school for it but was the first class at CAmp Roberts, CA to get that training as they were field testing so they can send it up to Ft Lee, VA to approve of the additional week of school.

Not sure how long your school is but if it is greater than 2 weeks expect to learn the combat recovery as well. But this is a school that you need to pay attention to detail and always read the manuals before you hook up to anything while you are at the school and always run it through your instructors. They are the key to your success in the school.