Job: Watercraft Operator (88K)

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To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You'll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America's freedoms. But you'll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.


Army operations aren't strictly limited to land. Ocean going harbor craft are often used to support operations throughout the continental United States and overseas. It's up to members of the Army watercraft team to navigate, pilot, and maintain these watercraft. Army watercraft Soldiers have unique opportunities to embark upon specialized landing craft, gain valuable skills in vessel navigation, or be part of a tug boat crew, moving needed equipment on barges in local harbors or on longer open ocean voyages. Watercraft operators are part of a piloting team using electronic positioning systems, handheld navigation tools, and traditional watch standing procedures aboard many of the Army's watercraft. Watercraft Operators are primarily responsible for navigation, cargo operations and supervising other Soldiers on Army watercraft. Some of your duties as a Watercraft Operator may include:

* Dock and undock the vessels
* Drops and weighs the vessel anchor
* Stands lookout and helm watches
* Identify and interpret single-letter international code signal flags
* Send and receive messages with radios, beacons and signal flags
* Operate and maintain lifeboats and vessel firefighting equipment
* Demonstrate knowledge in all aspects of marlinespike seamans
* Secure all type of cargo using shipboard machinery such as capstans, winches, hoists and davits
* Paint metal, wood, and fiberglass surfaces
* Clean compartments and decks.

Job training for a Watercraft Operator requires ten weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and six weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in boat operations. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

* Boat handling techniques
* Watch standing procedures
* Use of communications, electronics, and navigational systems
* Ship structure
* Log and message-handling procedures
* Navigational mathematics

Helpful attributes include:

* An interest in the ocean, sailing and navigation
* An ability to work as part of a team
* Basic understanding of maps and trip planning
* An ability to work with mathematical formulas

Advanced level Watercraft Operators provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Watercraft Operator, you may be involved in:

* Maintain vessel charts, publications, and orders
* Maintain the vessel log book
* Navigate a boat or other watercraft
* Beach and retract landing craft
* Tow vessels and barges in harbors and inter-coastal waterways

The skills you learn, as a Watercraft Operator will help prepare you for a civilian career in shipping, cruise, tugboat or ferry operation. You'll be able to consider a future as a pilot, harbormaster or marine resource enforcement officer.

* Bridge Crewmember (21C)
* Motor Transport Operator (88M)
* Watercraft Engineer (88L)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.