Should I change my MOS from 88M or go to 12B?

SPC Bradford Bolden — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 15:21:02 -0400

I know it's my own choices, just looking for pros and cons. Us Army Reserves

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2017 4:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 16:14:08 -0400

12B Get paid to blow things up.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 25 at 2017 4:59 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 16:59:53 -0400

As you said it is your choice, talk to someone that is a 12Band go from there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2017 8:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 20:36:44 -0400

The smart thing would be to change it to a job that is in high demand in the civilian sector, like IT, common networking or hospital tech jobs.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jul 26 at 2017 12:57 PM

MSG David Johnson — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:57:04 -0400

It's actually 21B now. At one time 21B was an Engineer Officer, but was changed about 10 years ago.

But to answer the OP question, what are you looking for? Chance of advancement? Or a useful skill after the military.
My background includes running heavy equipment as 62J (OJT), and driving the heavy trucks. I used my experience driving military equipment to get a job as an OTR driver while in the Reserves. The Army, in its infinite wisdom, decided to send me to 88M reclass instead of taking my 10 years of commercial experience.
If you want an MOS that is interesting and will keep you in the field a lot then make the reclass switch.
There are so many people on here to give you more up to date info on the 21B MOS. I retired in 2008 so I know there has been a lot of changes over that time.

You must decide for yourself, but you will always have 88M as a secondary.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 1:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 13:45:32 -0400

In my opinion if 12B can benefit you in the civilian workforce then by all means go for it. I know as a truck driver you can make up to $200,000.00 just being an owner/operator...........

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2017 2:26 PM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:26:13 -0400

There are lots of benefits to both. Personally, I started out as an 88M -then ended up later as a chaplain to several different types of units. From my perspective, the unit as a whole is more important than the individual's MOS. As others have pointed out, most military skills can be applied to civilian jobs in some form or another. At the very least, they give you a different perspective. I know that my 88M training gave me the ability to back virtually any vehicle-trailer combo imaginable. That means that when members of my current 11B heavy unit are having parking issues, I can generally lend a hand to get it done quickly. Of course, more job skills gives you greater flexibility. Two of my 56M's for example had other MOS & skills. One was a generator mechanic (VERY handy in the field when a generator went out) and another was a former NBC NCO which was exceptionally valuable to the unit when our assigned NBC personnel had an emergency right before a major inspection.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 1:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 13:44:56 -0400

I'm 88m and I love it even though I'm considering reclassing as I go on 12 years. I can't say much about 12b, but 88m has alot of different jobs such as; gun trucks, security, support etc etc. I know on my last deployment we we're constantly outside the wire which made the year go by faster. The promotion ladder seems to go faster compared to other MOS. Are you getting a bonus? If no bonus try the one out and if you don't like it put in for a reclass.

Response by SGT Daniel Neikirk made Aug 11 at 2017 11:49 PM

SGT Daniel Neikirk — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:49:56 -0400

There is nothing wrong with having a SMOS, or even a third, I was active duty twice and TXNG twice with 3 MOS, yes all combat MOS but had a choice on what I wanted to stay in

Response by SPC Travis McGaha made Aug 12 at 2017 7:00 AM

SPC Travis McGaha — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 07:00:49 -0400

I signed into the army as 64C (Heavy Equipment Transport), I want to learn to drive a tractor trailer. Before I got to ait, it was reclassified 88M...(Motor Transport Operator) it sounds fancy, it just meant all purpose driver (they couldn't find troops wanting to be chauffeurs. I lucked into a unit that gave me 3 years over the road tractor trailer experience, 100,000 miles under my belt. I met a man who was stationed in a mail room in Germany and he knew the unit I was in was a tractor trailer unit. He gave me my first job as a OTR driver. Back then it paid $0.21 per mile. In the civilian world, you don't get paid for every mile on the odometer, you get paid based on what a computer model says you should drive. That is an annoyance but it is what is. You can turn about 2500 to 3000 miles per week legally. Today's rate is $.48 cents per mile, as a company driver, you will make about $42,000 to $62,000 civilian. As an owner operator, you will keep about $30,000 to $50,000, after taxes, fees, and maintenance... the difference is that you are allowed to think you are your own boss.... Once you pay off your truck the take home gets better but the fees and government regulation is still there. Needless to say, it can be a good career but it is a time consuming career where you disappear for weeks at a time, and your children grow up without you. Bear in mind your ass can fit in any truck seat in America or even the world for that matter.

Explosives are extremely specialized, you can make good money. But you have to be that guy that gets the call to do the work. If you don't get the call, you don't get money...what do you do in the meantime while you build your name/brand. I say do both, a stint as truck driver and go back for explosives. :D

Response by SGT Jeff Bush made Aug 23 at 2017 1:05 PM

SGT Jeff Bush — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:05:23 -0400

If you are making a career out of it, then choose your passions. If not, be smart and set yourself up for success by an MOS that has a civilian equivalent. Most states accept 88M training in lieu of a CDL and truckers make good money with no further education required. Combat engineers are great for breaching perimeters, route clearance, climbing sapper ropes and long ruck marches with land nav., but still need Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, Differential Equations and Principles of Thermodynamics to be considered a civilian engineer

Response by CPL Eric Amsden made Aug 23 at 2017 9:49 PM

CPL Eric Amsden — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 21:49:24 -0400

How much do you enjoy 88m. I enjoyed and was easier getting my civilian CDL

Response by PFC Erin Krumwiede made Aug 26 at 2017 10:15 AM

PFC Erin Krumwiede — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 10:15:55 -0400

One thing to think over is job security.
Yes you can get a CDL easier with your 88M on the civilian side but you will have to run hard and long to make money and it's hard if you have a family or ever want one. Plus the ELDs coming out will cut down on the flexibility and freedom of driving freight.
Not to mention you can rank up but you won't be achieving much unless you have a high speed unit.
12B is a great MOS but you won't be able to find much for civilian jobs outside of service.
Another thing about 12B is you will be doing a lot more field time than a motor pool so you will be using your gear more often and camping out.
Really depends on your preferences but if you are looking to advance and attain civilian skills that transfer over try something tech department.
Best of luck to you.

Response by SGT Don Schaffer made Sep 9 at 2017 12:58 AM

SGT Don Schaffer — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 00:58:24 -0400

Easier if you change

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 10:16 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 May 2018 22:16:11 -0400

I'm in your exact shoes. I'm going 12b because of I'm gonna get blown up by an IED, I want to stand a chance. 88m are ied magnets. Plus the 75th will take a sapper not a twuck dwiver