I am going to AIT for 88m, and already have 2+ years of Class A CDL experience will this benefit me, and how?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 07:22:42 -0400

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 16 at 2014 8:12 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 08:12:30 -0400

With 2+ yrs of experience, you will be alright when driving a military vehicle. You could be driving a Heavy Equipment Transporter which is a very large vehicle that carries tracked/wheeled vehicles or a smaller truck of different tonnage. A lot of Soldiers have never driven anything larger than lets say, a "rental moving truck". Did you drive a 18 wheeler?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 16 at 2014 9:07 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 09:07:22 -0400

The new things you will learn will be military related items like tactical convoy operations (different from your traditional convoy) and such. There is quite a difference between driving a semi down I-95, and driving a HET in an urban combat environment.
While you have the experience driving (and that portion may be painfully dull to you), there will be some important things for you to learn as well.
For the parts that you already know...embrace the suck, for the rest, learn as much as you can.
Good luck to you!

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made May 4 at 2017 1:42 PM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:42:26 -0400

Well it's good that you have a CDL because and least you will know that trucks is what sits ontop of a flag pole and tractors are in the motor pool. You will learn more in the military then on the road on the outside. You can't learn cross country driving or experince hostile fire on the out side unless your a logger or driving through Los Angeles Calif. Learn as much as you can and teach as often as you can. Enjoy the experince.

Response by SSG John Caples made May 13 at 2017 5:10 PM

SSG John Caples — Sat, 13 May 2017 17:10:59 -0400

They will make you a squad leader and possibly help the drill 8nstructors out

Response by SPC Allen Oberbroeckling made Jul 12 at 2018 1:44 PM

SPC Allen Oberbroeckling — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 13:44:41 -0400

Former HET Operator. 5+ years CDL. Looking to go back in. Even I have to attend 88m course again after basic to go back to the MOS I was already qualified in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 11:41 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:41:02 -0500

If you already have your cdl they will not have you participate in the 915 portion of AIT. I went through with a couple and they were excused. As for learning convoy ops and other 'cool' stuff, they didnt have that when I went through 6 yrs ago but times may have changed. It will be a lot of redundant class work and then mainly.focuses on the steering and turning radiuses of the different vehicles.

Response by PFC Jason Sharp made Feb 3 at 2020 12:27 PM

PFC Jason Sharp — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 12:27:28 -0500

It was in the late 90's I went but you'll be driving trucks with similar systems and be tested like you do on the outside. Knowing your pre-trip, air brakes and driving is going to help you. We trained mostly on the 5 ton trucks and a little on the 915. Good luck to ya.

Response by SPC James Ernest Johnson made Dec 29 at 2020 2:43 AM

SPC James Ernest Johnson — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 02:43:35 -0500

Yes to a degree. Youll have the semi/ 915 experience but you still need to pay attention in class and on the convoys, because you will be learning about the other medium and heavy cargo miltary trucks.