Thoughts On My Time as an 88M

 Hello all, just wanted to opine a bit on being an 88M as I read alot of interesting questions/comments about the job and thought I could offer some insight.

I enlisted in the reserves while in college in 2010 as I was bored of academics and the job market was still really bad back then. I did basic and AIT at Ft Leonardwood, MO and got assigned to a cargo unit in my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.

 The units mission was pretty boring and after 10 years of war we hadn't deployed once. I did a couple ATs and drills and the experience quickly became as boring as school was. By happenstance I found out about another unit in my division that was deploying to Afghanistan in 2013 (the real end of the war) so I decided what the Hell and volunteered.

 I did 9 months in country with a medium truck company from Mississippi that was cross trained in FT Hood to be be a gun truck unit. It was a great deployment and I got training and experience that most reservists only dream of. I saw about 70% of the Army's assets leave the country and was there when some of the wars most iconic posts were shut down, traveling extensively in the battle space. Made some great friends and lasting memories.

Anywho, ill get to the pros and cons of my experience in motor T.

Pros: You have a vehicle. This is crucial in the training and deployment environment. Walking everywhere sucks.

You are often away from your command element when you're on the road, so anywhere we traveled, we were somebody else's problem. Sleep as much as you want, eat as much as you want, wear shower shoes outside, you name it we did it, and nobody ever batted an eye.

Most of the Army's Transportation assets are reservist, so most of the guys who drove trucks in my unit did it for full time jobs. We had the best drivers and mechanics in the division, which meant no breakdowns, no wrecks, no bs. We did our job and did it well.

Never slept outside

Always had food and tobacco, and maybe alcohol.

If you need work in the civilian field, this will set you up. Some states, like Florida, offer direct routes to a CDL. They even guarantee you an interview ( mine was Pepsi I think)

Cons: You are the laughing stock of the Army. Nobody takes you seriously and nobody respects you ( until they need something then they love you)

There is nothing to do in garrison. Drivers training is rare and you spend most of your time dodging details in the smoke pit.(this is a pro for some.)

There's not alot of movement in the transportation field. Once you hit E6 you better start looking for a new job.

I've been out for awhile now and have a full time job as a Fireman. Still use my training to this day, and have even parlayd my experience to work a few contracts. Got VA benefits, preferential hiring, and alot of great memories.

Transportation leads the way.