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

Totally agree, as I too spend a few years as a 88M and occasionally wished I had the knowledge about my vehicle that the mechanic has when getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere having to wait for hours to have someone bail me out with the broken down truck. Most of the mechanics in my unit got to spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel driving. This was especially true after we had trouble getting much needed parts for our vehicles that were breaking down way to much; having a mechanic in the convoy truly helped when having to jerry rig a vehicle to get it back to our operations area.

Sir excellent points made here! I’d still go for the Mechanic though since they get licensed to drive the equipment they work on anyway and is sought after in the civilian world as well with better pay depending on your location. If not happy as a mechanic, it’s always easy to switch to 88M but it’s more difficult and requires school training to switch from being an 88M to become a 91B. You can get HAZMAT certification as well as a mechanic not just as a 88M. Being a truck driver in the civilian world is a great job if you want to see the US but it is a very demanding job and it can truly wear you out; hence the constant shortage for that job. My son did it for awhile until he got diabetes and it became difficult for him to pass his physical you have to have each time you renew your CDL. So being a mechanic first, you can always become a truck driver but you have something to fall back on if needed.

SFC Dagmar Riley SGC Riley, I agree. But I was looking at time required in either profession. I think mechanic schooling is longer. You can spend a little time and money and start driving well before you can start turning wrenches.

LTC Michael Martin, Sir, you’re absolutely right; the 88M course is only 7 weeks and the 91B is 13 weeks long.

I don't know how much things have changed in the last 30 years, but when I left the Army, the ONLY companies that would hire me without DOT logs were Schneider and JB Hunt. Those required co-driving for awhile.

I didn't find 88M helpful AT ALL in seeking civilian employment.

Randy,
That is not exactly true, mainly 88M's are the ones that have the eligibility however how it reads is, and I have attached the PDF so you can share it with folks you work with.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/APPLICATION-FOR-MILITARY-SKILLS-TEST-WAIVER.pdf
"I certify that the service member named on the front of this document is/was assigned in a job/assignment requiring the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, the service member’s driving experience has been verified; and the information provided herein is true and correct to my knowledge, information and belief. I also certify that I am an officer of the Armed Forces with the authority to administer oaths; and who has the general powers of a notary public."

Now on another note have you ever looked at the Army COOL web-page? https://www.cool.army.mil/enlisted/91b.htm This gives you a good starting point to advance your career, remember the only thing holding you back from becoming the very best NCO/Officer/Warrant Officer there is, is you.
I hope this helps.

SPC Reil,
CW3 Davis is correct, each state has different requirements on the military CDL skills test waiver. You will be eligible for the class of CDL based on the type of vehicles your commander is able to validate your proficiency on. I completed mine in the state of Missouri and it was pretty easy. After I had the commanders notarized signature on the form, I simply went to the DMV testing center and took the written exams for all the endorsements (general, braking systems, tankers, etc). There are different versions of the waiver form, attached is the one for the state of Ohio. Now go ask your NCOs to assist you in setting this as a goal in your monthly counseling, and develop a timeline to get it done. Good luck.
http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/bmv2070.pdf