Can someone give me any insight on what being an 88M is like? Also any insight to AIT at Ft. Leonard Wood is like for prior service?

2018-12-29T10:40:13-05:00

I recently decided to go active duty. I was able to keep my E-4 rank and went with the 88M MOS. I will be shipping out January 7th for AIT to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Any advice on what I can expect, personal experiences, packing list, do's & dont's, etc.? I would greatly appreciate it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 11:23 AM

2018-12-29T11:23:50-05:00

You can expect some seriously cold winter, so if you have any Army issued Cold Weather gear, take that. I'd love to give you more info about the course and packing list but I can't access ATRRS on my civilian computer. You will be going down there for training as a Prior Service. This can mean that either A) you will be granted more freedom than that IETs (possibly including different curfew, different barracks, etc.); or B) you will be locked down with the rest of the IETs. This will all depend on the policy of the Company/BN you get assigned to. As for the DOs and DON'Ts: DO pay attention in class and focus on the training. DON'T be "that guy" (if given more freedoms) that ends up having a massive brainfart and screwing up. DON'T engage in ANY type of activity with the IETs that do not involve MOS training. DO remember that you are going to be a student in TRADOC and that you will (probably) not be allowed to make any corrections to the IET Soldiers that mess up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 3:31 PM

2018-12-29T15:31:01-05:00

I reclassified to 88M at FT. Bliss as an E4 with a few other reclass or prior service. We didn't have to March with the rest of IET soldiers, had another barracks, POV, no curfew, just be on time to formations. It could be the same at leonardwood, all depending if other Soldiers in the past done something stupid.. Don't do anything stupid that will mess it up for future prior service Soldiers that will come after you.... Truck driving is a cool job, only if you get into a Transportation company, but if you get stuck in a combat unit, it will suck. Another good thing about truck driving is that you will always have a job in the civilian world and can make up to 250k a year once you have your class A commercial driver license....... The down side about 88M is that it's a job no 1 wants to do, especially in combat. I spent a total of 27 months driving up and down what's considered the world's most dangerous roads in iraq....... As far as packing list is goes, bring plenty of cold gear...... They should have sent you a packing list........ Good luck to you.......

Response by SPC(P) Donald B. made Jan 11 at 2021 12:24 AM

2021-01-11T00:24:10-05:00

Hopefully 88M AIT went well!
As a fellow Veteran and Owner/Operator of a company I am definitely curious, are you by chance Guard / Reserve and open to Civilian employment to put those 88M skills to use or know anyone who is?
Same question for SSG Private RallyPoint Member as I would really prefer to hire someone from here before the outside world!