What is life like for a 88n?

Sincere Myers — Sun, 10 May 2020 18:43:53 -0400

I want to know how are the promotions points, the pt, schools like airborne and just the overall fill of the job. Give me all the details!

Response by SFC Steven Borders made May 11 at 2020 9:20 AM

SFC Steven Borders — Mon, 11 May 2020 09:20:39 -0400

As an 88N/25B in the reserves I have to say it’s pretty easy. But my experience is different than others as I am in a 20 man DET. So we are really small. We got to ports and help assist the civilians at the ports with their operations. We don’t drive anything we document and tally everything coming off the vessel and assist with the rail lines as needed. But others experiences could be very different.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 10:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:58:16 -0400

Hello Myers,

Life as an 88N can vary quite a bit depending on where you are placed in the Army. As an 88N you are in charge of coordinating movement in and out of a location, will work with many different branches and foreign countries throughout your service.

You can be placed in a 21 man detachment with only 88Ns where you would deploy to assist movements for all personnel and their equipment in and out of the country. You could also be placed in a higher echelon where you would assist your unit with moving their equipment.

Promotion points vary by the needs of the Army. Sometimes they are really low, sometimes they are high. It is just the name of the game.

PT wise, we are middle tier on the new Amy Combat Fitness Test and will require a bit more than the lowest, but it isn’t too challenging.

Schools is my favorite part of an 88N. You definitely can go for airborne, air assault, pathfinder; but my favorite thing is how much 88N will help you get a job on the civilian side if you set up your schools to coorelate. I highly suggest taking classes like Unit Movement Officer, HAZMAT certification course, GATES, etc.... Any class that would help you later as a civilian is perfect.

If you are into the airborne type of field, you can request to be attached to a Special Forces unit, where you will assist them with moving their equipment. You will deploy with them and attend their cool trainings. I have heard fantastic things about it and would highly suggest you give it a shot, but it is important you don’t get absorbed in it and continue to move in your military career.

You never want to be stagnant in your career or your career dies. Always look for a new and different job while in, that way you are showing you can do multiple jobs for future deployments. Also make sure you volunteer for a broadening assignment later on (Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, Instructor, etc...)

This is a lot of information, but I hope it assists. Feel free to ask questions and I am glad to see you are looking at joining on of my passions.