Which MOS is more beneficial for future opportunities, 88M or 91B in the National Guard?

SPC Ish Martinez — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:55:47 -0400

Hi been out of active duty for awhile and decided to join the guard with only 20 days left on my IRR decided between 88m truck driver and 91b wheeled mechanic. both jobs interest me because I like working on vehicles on my own time and feel I could learn more from this mos, on the other hand I like to drive and would be interesting to help out during natural disasters, haul equipment ect.. in anyone’s opinion which would you think is more beneficial for future opportunities? If you have any of these mos do you like it? Any benefits to either?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 6:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:12:06 -0400

You have numerous options with either MOS. I'd look at credentials and how it fits with your civilian job. As a 88M, I'd focus on getting a license for every piece of heavy equipment and get Hazmat qualified. I didn't see your location but CDL drivers are in need everywhere especially West Texas. As a 91B there are some credentials as well that you could obtain. The military provides all your tools but you could begin to acquire some and then you could start working on cars on the side. We have several Vets in our town that do this. //Not asked but I'm throwing this in. Start investing for your retirement now. If you have kids planned for the future start putting away college money. Also if you want to go to a school see what benefits the Guard provides and use it.

Response by SPC Russ Bolton made Jul 24 at 2018 7:48 PM

SPC Russ Bolton — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 19:48:07 -0400

I myself continue to drive. It's cool and pretty good pay and sign on money

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jul 24 at 2018 8:11 PM

SPC James Neidig — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 20:11:25 -0400

Go 88 m I loved it as an 88m you get to go out and see the country as an 91 b you will be stuck in the motor pool

Response by SPC Arielle Dailey made Jul 24 at 2018 9:42 PM

SPC Arielle Dailey — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 21:42:33 -0400

I was an 88M and never used it outside of the military. I ended up re-classing to be a medic and after getting out of the Army had to spend a lot of extra time, money, and GI bill trying to advance my medical career. I ended up using my Veterans status to join a sheet metal union through Helmets to Hardhats. I make way more money now as an apprentice than I could have as a paramedic. If you went mechanic you would be an asset to have in the construction industry. Not sure how you feel about unions but my experience has been pretty positive and the pay and benefits are great. I wish I would have started my sheet metal career right out of the military had I known about it then. Driver or mechanic is up to you but my vote is mechanic.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 10:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:24:19 -0400

I am a 91B in the Guard and I love it. I am also H8 certified, so I have the driving and towing experience. But also a little food for thought, I am not 100% positive on the regulation, but I have been told from several reliable NCO's that as a 91B, if I send up a letter or a request to my command, and my commander feels I am capable of it, he/her can sign off and I could get my Class A CDL. Like I said I'm not 100% sure on the reg, and I have not tried it yet, but I have heard of other soldiers getting their CDL that way.

Response by SFC Nelson L. Friday-González made Jul 24 at 2018 10:42 PM

SFC Nelson L. Friday-González — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:42:04 -0400

91B would be your best bet, Pros diesel mechanics earn more money and go home every night unless you work as a mobile mechanic for most of the civilian companies plus job security is always there for a mechanic. Just because you're a mechanic doesn't mean that you cannot drive the trucks. I say this because as an 88 Mike hi Joe's new basic mechanic and when I got stuck believe me I got stuck. but with the knowledge of fixing your own truck when you get stuck you're one step ahead of all the others.. that's just my opinion but good luck on your choice.

Response by CW3 Chris Davis made Jul 25 at 2018 1:58 AM

CW3 Chris Davis — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 01:58:38 -0400

Ish,
Lets review the pros of becoming a 91B over 88M which I held both as an enlisted Soldier so both have pros and cons, biggest pro is once you get into a unit and possibly find you like it as a 91B you could always apply for a Mil-Tech position which requires Guard membership anyway, and it is a pretty good job unless you get a turd head for a supervisor but they come and go and that is with any job as I am sure you know. Another pro for becoming a 91B and going to work for one of the shops as a Tech once you get a few years of experience under your belt you could apply for Warrant and take over one of the shops or even work as the shop lead depending on the needs of the Guard at the time, at any rate unless you have just a smoking job that you do not want to part with that is what I would recommend, Also you could possibly go Warrant as an 88M as well or if you so desire you could pursue becoming an RLO known otherwise as a Lt. And that is all dependent on whether you enjoy your job and enjoy working with Soldiers in a single track and being a specialist or becoming a generalist and not really specializing in anything, no offense to the RLO's but that is where the truth lies, RLO's generally make more money at the end of the day but their careers end much sooner than a Warrant Officers career does. Just my thoughts. Good luck and God Speed in your decision making.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 25 at 2018 6:21 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 06:21:12 -0400

Both are great skills, 91B you can go into several fields to be a mechanic, or have your own shop. 88M you can become an over the road driver, our be your own boss.

Response by SSG Stephen Raquet made Jul 25 at 2018 8:39 PM

SSG Stephen Raquet — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 20:39:40 -0400

I would go with the 91B as a 88M you can get your CDL however, if you are not versed in 10,13 speed vehicles you are restricted to only driving an Automatic till you pass your test in a manual.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 12:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:25:27 -0400

Do you want to drive 88M. Do you want to drive and fix 91B...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 5:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:14:27 -0400

I would say they are pretty much equal, just depends on what you want to do. Do you want to work on vehicles or drive OTR??

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2018 4:24 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 04:24:08 -0400

88m

Response by PFC Logan Cox made Aug 6 at 2018 3:57 PM

PFC Logan Cox — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:57:20 -0400

The master driver at my unit was a 91b I say it's the best of both worlds if you go that way and get h8.

Response by PFC Logan Cox made Aug 6 at 2018 3:58 PM

PFC Logan Cox — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:58:07 -0400

Also the army has programs to help u get a cdl in transitioning back to the civilian population

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2018 12:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:51:42 -0400

88m

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2019 1:02 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 13:02:23 -0400

88M are drivers and 91B are mechanics they both are important in their own sense. Since you are national guard i would suggest that go for something that would help you out in civilian world too. If you drive uber or something 88M is a good option for you but if you are Persueing automobile experience i would say go for 91B. It all depends on whay you are trying to do once you come back from training.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2021 1:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 13:16:22 -0400

91B for sure. You get the opportunities of tech positions all over the state, your experience will transfer to Generators and other pieces of equipment, as well as have the option to go for H8 school. I am a little biased because I come from a maintenance background, but even as a 94F which is electronics repair, cross training as a 91B has opened a lot of doors for me to jump on missions and earn a lot of active duty time and travel a lot of places. 91B is a solid MOS that can open doors for networking and career progression from what I've seen or just be a steady, reliable, and rewarding source of work, depending on what you want out of it.