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88K Watercraft Operator

About 88K

The U.S. Army Transportation Corps' 88K Watercraft Operators are disciplined, technical experts that provide the Army with maritime capabilities. They operate and maintain lifeboats and vessel firefighting equipment, stand lookout and perform helm watches, and operate Class B vessels. 88K Watercraft Operators are responsible for navigation, cargo operations, and supervising other Soldiers on Army watercraft. As part of the piloting team, you’ll train in the basics of seamanship and vessel operations, using electronic positioning systems, handheld navigation devices, and traditional watch standing procedures.

88K Watercraft Operators are trained in:

Boat handling techniques
Docking/Undocking vessels
Drop and weigh anchor
Interpret code signal flags
Send and receive messages via radio, beacon, and signal flag.
Emergency water survival
Lifeboats and fast-boat operation
Shipboard firefighting and other emergency procedures

88K Watercraft Operators are trained in:

Boat handling techniques
Docking/Undocking vessels
Drop and weigh anchor
Interpret code signal flags
Send and receive messages via radio, beacon, and signal flag.
Emergency water survival
Lifeboats and fast-boat operation
Shipboard firefighting and other emergency procedures

88K Cargo Specialist

Soldiers training in shipboard firefighting

Soldiers learning docking procedures — Soldiers participating in a personnel recovery training mission

88K Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) (Sergeant – Sergeant First Class)

88K Watercraft Operators working on their vessels.

At the NCO level, 88K Watercraft Operators maintain vessel charts, publications, orders, and log books, stand lookout and perform helm watches, and send and receive messages with radios, beacons, and signals. They are skilled in navigating a boat or watercraft and able to beach and retract landing crafts. They are the primary trainer of Soldiers and coach, counsel, and care for subordinates.

88K Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors

Sergeant Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors

Proponent Vision: Watercraft Operators are disciplined, technical experts that provide the Army with maritime capabilities. They operate and maintain lifeboats and vessel firefighting equipment, stand lookout and perform helm watches, and operate Class B vessels. Watercraft Operator SGTs maintain vessel charts, publications, orders, and log books, stand lookout and perform helm watches, and send and receive messages with radios, beacons, and signals. They are skilled in navigating a boat or watercraft and able to beach and retract landing crafts. They are the primary trainer of Soldiers and coach, counsel, and care for subordinates.

Developmental/ Experiential Learning

Positions: Marine Safety NCO, Coxswain, Leading Seamen, Dispatcher.

Broadening Experiences: Drill Sergeant, Recruiter

Experiences: Watercraft Operators will gain a variety of experiences through institutional training, home station training, and maritime logistics exercises. With sufficient experience they can become AIT instructors and hold positions of greater responsibility.

Additional Information

College and University Associate’s Degree (O).

Credentials & Certifications (Continuing Education) National Able Seaman (A/B) (D), STCW-Able Seafarer-Deck (D) STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft, Fast Rescue Boats, National Master 100 GL and Inland (O), National Master 100 NC (O)

Military Schooling Basic Leaders Course (R), Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) (D) ICODES-Maritime (D), Marine Radar Observer/Auto Radar Plotting Aid (D), Airborne (O), Air Assault (O), Recruiter (O), Drill Sergeant (O)

(D) Desired (O) Optional (R) Required

Baseline Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework - Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Teamwork
Openness to Experience
Leadership
Tactical/Technical Competence
Management
Training and Developing Others

Assignment Developed Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework – Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Situational Awareness
Safety & Compliance
Leadership
Tactical/Technical Competence
Management
Training and Developing Others

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Baseline)

Attentiveness
Problem Sensitivity
Decision Making
Problem Solver
Multi-Tasking
Active Learning
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Communication Ability
Innovative
Adaptability
Cooperation/Teamwork
Coordination
Team Development
Delegating
Leads by Example
Motivating Others
Peer Leadership
Knowledge of System Inter-Relations
Proficiency with Mission Systems
Instructing

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Assignment Developed)

Attentiveness
Sound Judgement
Problem Solver
Structured Problem Solving
Troubleshooting
Multi-Tasking
Perceptive
Analytical Thinking
Interdisciplinary Reasoning
Communicator
Situational Awareness
Safety Compliance
Improves the Organization
Inspirational Leader
Proficiency with Mission Systems
Resource Management
Instructing
Assesses developmental needs of others

Staff Sergeant Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors

Proponent Vision: Watercraft Operator Staff Sergeants lead disciplined, technical experts in support of the Army’s maritime missions. They establish and enforce safety procedures, scheduling shipboard watches, preparing vessel load plans, and scheduling and supervising deck, life saving and firefighting equipment maintenance. The Watercraft Operator SSG understands how watercraft fit into Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) operations. They instruct subordinates in watercraft and amphibian operational practices, procedures and techniques, assess risk and lead squads/sections.

Developmental/ Experiential Learning

Positions: Watercraft NCO, Section Sergeant, Boatswain

Broadening Experiences: Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, Instructor, ALC Small Group Leader

Experiences: Watercraft Operators will gain a variety of experiences through institutional and home station training, and maritime logistics exercises. With sufficient experience they can become Platoon Sergeants and hold positions of greater responsibility.

College and University Associate’s Degree (O).

Credentials & Certifications (Continuing Education) GMDSS Radio Operator License (R), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) License (R), Radar Observer (R), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (R), Certified HAZMAT Manager (D)

Military Schooling Advanced Leaders Course (R), Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (R), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) (R), ICODES-Maritime (D), Recruiter (O), Drill Sergeant (O), Operational Contract Support (O)

(D) Desired (O) Optional (R) Required

Baseline Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework - Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Situational Awareness
Openness to Experience
Leadership
Tactical/Technical Competence
Management
Training and Developing Others

Assignment Developed Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework - Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Safety & Compliance
Teamwork
Leadership
Tactical/Technical Competence
Management
Training and Developing Others

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Baseline)

Attentiveness
Sound Judgement
Structured Problem Solving
Troubleshooting
Perceptive
Analytical Thinking
Analyze Data or Information
Interdisciplinary Reasoning
Communicator
Delegating
Encourages Discourse
Situational Awareness
Innovative
Adaptability
Improves the Organization
Inspirational Leader
Motivating Others
Knowledge of System Inter-Relations
Proficiency with Mission Systems
Mentoring

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Assignment Developed)

Attentiveness
Sound Judgement
Problem Solver
Structured Problem Solving
Multi-Tasking
Perceptive
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Interdisciplinary Reasoning
Communicator
Process Disciplined
Team Development
Inspirational Leader
Proficiency with Mission Systems
Resource Management
Delegating
Assesses developmental needs of others
Mentoring

Sergeant First Class Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors

Proponent Vision: The Watercraft Operator Sergeant First Class leads disciplined, technical experts in support of the Army’s maritime missions. They perform vessel master duties on a small tug, applying inland international navigation rules while operating vessels, disseminating information on weather and navigational aid changes, and operates navigational equipment. The Watercraft Operator SFC maintain vessel station bills and crew lists, process operations and intelligence information, receive, store, distribute, turn in vessel supplies, equipment and food, and coordinate the operation of collective lighter control points.

Developmental/ Experiential Learning

Positions: Platoon Sergeant, Detachment Sergeant, Small Tug Vessel Master, First Mate, Marine Operations NCO

Broadening Experiences: Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, SLC SGL, Instructor, Training Developer, Watercraft Operator (SATMO)

Experiences: Watercraft Operators will gain a variety of experiences through institutional and home station training, and maritime logistics exercises. With sufficient experience they can become First Sergeants and Senior Transportation Supervisors.

College and University Associate’s Degree (D)

Credentials & Certifications (Continuing Education) Mate of Class A-1 freight/towing vessels (R), GMDSS Radio Operator License (R), Electronic Chart Display & Info System (ECDIS) License (R), Radar Observer (R), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (R)

Military Schooling Senior Leaders Course (R), Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (R), Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) (R), ICODES-Maritime (D), Operational Contract Support (O), MRT (O), SHARP (O)

(D) Desired (O) Optional (R) Required

Baseline Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework - Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Leadership
Tactical/Technical Competence
Management
Training and Developing Others

Assignment Developed Talents Army Talent Attribute Framework - Tier 2

Attention Control
Decision Making
Problem Solving
General Cognitive Ability
Reasoning
General Communication
Multi-Domain Collaboration (II) Safety & Compliance
Leadership
Management

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Baseline)

Attentiveness
Sound Judgement
Problem Solver
Unstructured Problem Solver
Multi-Tasking
Perceptive
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Communicator
Encourages Discourse
Improves the Organization
Inspirational Leader
Organizational Perspective
Proficiency with Mission Systems
Resource Management
Task Planning & Management
Assesses developmental needs of others
Mentoring

Tier 3 Army Talent Attribute Framework KSBs (Assignment Developed)

Attentiveness
Sound Judgement
Problem Solver
Unstructured Problem Solver
Multi-Tasking
Perceptive
Analytical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Interdisciplinary Reasoning
Communicator
Joint Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) Perspective
Evaluating Compliance
Process Disciplined
Inspirational Leader
Organizational Perspective
Delegating
Resource Management

88K Enlisted Career Paths

As an 88K Watercraft Operator, opportunities are available to secure civilian credentials which can be applied towards points for promotion within the Army as well as expand opportunities for application outside the Army.