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88U Railway Specialists

88 Series Enlisted

88H

88K

88L

88M

88N

88U

Testimonials

About 88U

Found only in the U.S. Army Reserve component, the U.S. Army Transportation Corps' 88U Railway Specialist provides rail network capability and infrastructure assessments. 88U Railway specialists supervise and operate the Army’s sophisticated diesel-electric locomotives that move vital supplies and equipment. They assist with rail planning, coordinates the use of host nation or contracted rail assets, and oversees the execution of instructions received from signal towers, switches, and other trains.

88U Railway Specialists are trained in:

  • Train car coupling and uncoupling operations
  • Sending/Receiving signals through onboard signaling devices and systems
  • Signal Tower Operations
  • Loading/Unloading of equipment and cargo
  • Operation of Diesel-Electric Locomotives

88U Railway Specialists are trained in:

  • Train car coupling and uncoupling operations
  • Sending/Receiving signals through onboard signaling devices and systems
  • Signal Tower Operations
  • Loading/Unloading of equipment and cargo
  • Operation of Diesel-Electric Locomotives

88U Railway Specialists

The 25th Transportation Battalion and Transportation division of the U.S. Army Materiel Support Command – Korea supports rail-load operations to bolster rotational units with the 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division at Camp Casey, Korea Aug. 12, 2023. The rail-load operations played a critical role in moving the Army Prepositioned Stock-4 (APS-4) from Camp Carroll to Camp Casey in support of a 1st Armored Division’s “no notice” Deployment Response Exercise. The exercise demonstrated the 1st Armored Division’s ability to rapidly respond to any mission while ensuring their equipment, gear, and personnel ready for deployment. The successful completion of the DRE reaffirmed the Army’s readiness and fight-tonight capabilities on the Korean Peninsula while fulfilling the Army’s commitment to maintain armored readiness. The Army Prepositioned Stock program is a cornerstone of the Army’s ability to rapidly project power and send a clear signal of U.S. commitment to maintaining combat power in the region. (U.S. Army photos by: Staff Sgt. Felix Mena 210 Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division)
The 25th Transportation Battalion and Transportation division supports rail-load operations.
The 25th Transportation Battalion and Transportation division of the U.S. Army Materiel Support Command – Korea supports rail-load operations to bolster rotational units with the 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division at Camp Casey, Korea Aug. 12, 2023. The rail-load operations played a critical role in moving the Army Prepositioned Stock-4 (APS-4) from Camp Carroll to Camp Casey in support of a 1st Armored Division’s “no notice” Deployment Response Exercise. The exercise demonstrated the 1st Armored Division’s ability to rapidly respond to any mission while ensuring their equipment, gear, and personnel ready for deployment. The successful completion of the DRE reaffirmed the Army’s readiness and fight-tonight capabilities on the Korean Peninsula while fulfilling the Army’s commitment to maintain armored readiness. The Army Prepositioned Stock program is a cornerstone of the Army’s ability to rapidly project power and send a clear signal of U.S. commitment to maintaining combat power in the region. (U.S. Army photos by: Staff Sgt. Felix Mena 210 Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division)
1st Armored Division’s ability to rapidly respond to ensuring their equipment ready for deployment.

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

Army Reserve’s 411th Engineer Company loaded railcars with army equipment at Fort McCoy, WI Nov. 1, 2022. Working with Fort McCoy’s Logistics Readiness Center, soldiers must organize, load and secure vehicles and equipment on the correct weight-rated rail cars to transport each item safely.

At the NCO level, 88U Railway Specialist supervises and provides technical guidance to subordinates performing rail related duties. 88U NCOs supervise the operation of the locomotive's controls and safety appliances, observes and interprets instructions received from signal towers, switches, and other trains. They coordinate train movements; ensures compliance with operating timetables, rule book, and other specific instructions.

88U Enlisted Career Paths

As an 88U Railway Specialist, 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.

Additional Opportunities

Industry Based Broadening — Institute for Defense and Business (IDB)

Purpose:The focus of the IB2 seminar is Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) specifically the use of ERPs as a decision-making tool to improve readiness, lethality, and reduce costs for the Army.

Concept: Strategic seminar for officers, warrant officers, senior NCOs, and DA Civilians hosted by the Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) in Chapel Hill, NC.

Foundation Benchmark Output
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3
Business/ERP Integration, Intelligence, & Analytics Industry Benchmarking Practical Application Exercises
Industry/Academic Research Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Final Project Development
Problem Statement Analysis, Development, & Refinement Industry/Academic Research Project Presentation