Army Job Description for MOS 88K Watercraft Operator

Army Job Description for MOS 88K Watercraft OperatorArmy Job Description for MOS 88K Watercraft OperatorWhile the Army may not be the first branch of the service you think of when it comes to boats, ocean-going and harbor craft support its operations at home and abroad. There arent a lot of soldiers who end up spending their careers aboard a boat, but this job fits the bill for those who crave a little time on the water. The Watercraft Operator, which is military occupational specialty (MOS) 88K, navigates, pilots and maintains Army watercraft. These vessels range from small speedboats to tugs to larger ships. Many enlisted soldiers choose this job because theyre likely to remain with their unit for a long time since there are limited destinations for this MOS (and one of those destinations is Hawaii). Duties of MOS 88K These soldiers use a variety of tools to pilot Army boats, including electronicpositioning systems and handheld navigation devices. They also rely on mora traditi onal practices, like standing watch, to oversee cargo operations and to supervise other soldiers.They dock and undock vessels, drop and weigh anchor, interpret code signal flags, and send and receive messages via radio, beacon and signal flag. MOS 88K is also responsible for operating and maintaining lifeboats and firefighting equipment, keeping charts, publications and orders well-organized and documented, and keeping the vessels logbook. And as one might expect, these seafaring soldiers navigate boats, and tow barges in harbors and through intercoastal waterways. Theyll also do smaller tasks aboard their ships, including cleaning compartments and decks, maintaining equipment such as winches, hoists, davits, and capstans, and keep surfaces freshly painted.Finally, these soldiers are charged with overseeing subordinate soldiers both aboard the ship and elsewhere. Training to be MOS 88K Job training for a watercraft operator requires tenweeks of Basic Combat Training and six week s of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field, which in this case will mean time aboard a watercraft. Youll learn boat-handling techniques and standing-watch procedures, how to use navigational and communications systems aboard vessels, navigational mathematics and how to maintain and record logs and other messages. To be eligible for this role, youll need a score of at least 99 on the mechanical maintenance (MM) section of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This position doesnt require a Department of Defense security clearance, but the normal color vision is required. Youll need to have uncorrected vision of 20/200 in each eye that corrects with lenses or eyeglasses to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. Similar Civilian Occupations for MOS 88K Some of the skills you learn in this Army job are military-specific but that doesnt mean you wont be prepared for the civi lian workforce. Youll be well-equipped for a career in shipping, or working on a cruise ship, tugboat or ferry. In addition, youll be able to consider a future as a pilot, harbormaster or marine resource enforcement officer.

During the Holidays, Incorporate Work and Family Instead of Balancing Them

During the Holidays, Incorporate Work and Family Instead of Balancing Them During the Holidays, Incorporate Work and Family Instead of Balancing Them How exactly does one incorporate the pair together successfully and pressure-free? These are my tried and true tips for incorporating the workplace with kids verging on the cusp of their tweenage years and beyond.1) Take Em to the OfficeIf you work in a particularly festive and merry work environment, this is a great way for your kids to engage in the activities offered while avoiding any feelings of potential boredom that could creep in. Assuming that you have your own space, let your kids work on homework or assign them smaller craft projects to keep them busy and quiet and make sure they know to be respectful of other members of the office working as well. Giving your kids little projects to work on rather than allowing them to play around online for eight hours straight helps teach them the importance of hard work and diligence. Plus, theyre probably very proud to see their mom working hard and taking action with her great career2) Enroll in a Winter CampIf you take several meetings out of the office during the day or have to travel for your job, its not always feasible to take the kids with you to work every single day. Look into finding some great camps for kids instead, especially winter camps. They dont have to be enrolled in camp every day, but a few days a week for winter break will add some much needed activity and excitement to their typical routines and allow for interaction with their own age groups. And speaking of that, find a few of their friends to go along with them and make it a party3) Stay OrganizedWhen youre not organized, things can snowball away from you (no pun intended) pretty fast. Im a huge fan of lists and planning and like to keep organized as much as possible to keep the entire family and all of my work responsibilities in check. It always feels good to check off the tasks on you r list without needing to check them twice like Santa (okay, pun definitely intended this time)4) BreatheMerging your work life with your children, like every work/life balance, is sure to have plenty of stressful moments ahead, particularly during the holidays when the parties, events, and family gatherings are in full swing. Stop and take deep breaths often. By keeping calm, youre a lot more likely to accomplish your goals than if you act crazy or harried. Take the time to count your blessings as well. Recognize all of the good things you have and be grateful for those things instead of losing sight in whats important. Tis the season, after all

How To Provide a Good Reference

How To Provide a Good ReferenceHow To Provide a Good ReferenceAgreeing to serve as a reference for a current or former colleague is a big responsibility, and you want to make sure you do it right. A references confirmation that the applicant is an upstanding professional is an important part of the hiring process. So think it through carefully. You are being asked to fill an important role. If you conclude that you can endorse the candidate, then you are ready to move to step two in your preparation. But if you feel like you have mora negatives than positives to say about the candidate, or if you have information about him/zu sich that you see as a hiring deal-breaker, dont agree to do this. As awkward as it may seem, it is better to turn down the request to be a referencethan to provide negative feedback to a potential employer. If you decide to move forward and serve as a reference, heres how you get started. Preparation If you havent been a reference before, dont worry. This wont be a difficult conversation. But it will go smoother if you think about it ahead of time. You want to make sure that your feedback is well-prepared, relevant and honest. Preparation is key. Sometimes these phone calls can take you by surprise. To do this well, you need to be ready when that moment comes, so jot down some notes as you think through what you plan to say. It helps because you might find yourself a bit nervous the first couple of times you serve in this capacity. Some Common QuestionsTo get your wheels turning, think about what you would need to know about this candidate if you were on the hiring side. Also, consider these questions, as they are often posed to references How long did you work with the candidate and how were your positions related? Why did the candidate leave his/her position? What are the candidates strengths and areas of challenge? How have you seen the candidate grow as a professional? What was it like to be on his/her team? Do you have suggestions fo r how I can keep this candidate engaged or fulfilled in his/her position?Use Examples Think of concrete examples to back up claims you make. Examples universalize professional experiences across industries. So you may have worked with the candidate at a completely different job than the one for which he or she is currently interviewing, but if you can tell a story that illustrates why she is detail-oriented or excellent at customer service, its totally relevant. Hiring is difficult, and those who do it are eager to be assured that their gut instincts are accurate. Examples help with this. Its good on your side, too. This way it feel less evaluative, less like judgement and more like observation. Examples are especially helpful when discussing areas for growth. If you are serving as a reference for someone, you are likely rooting for him/her, and you sincerely endorse him/her for the position despite his/her areas of challenge. So think of a good growth storyan anecdote that shows ho w the candidate has evolved professionally. This will put a positive spin on that difficult question in a sincere and honest way. With some thought and preparation, you will be ready to assume this important role with conviction and confidence.