THE ARMY WATERCRAFT ENGINEER, A LEGACY AND TRADITION

Something is to be said of a profession when the children of those serving, or that have served in the Army Watercraft community, follow in their parents’ footsteps. For those of you that do not know, the Army maintains a small but growing fleet of watercraft. The Army’s watercraft crews consist predominantly of two occupational specialties that cover a wide variety of skills. These Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) are Watercraft Operators (88K) and Engineers (88L). This article highlights the lives and careers of four families all of which have served or currently serve in our community. Before we get to our rockstars, we wanted to let everyone know what these jobs entail?

88K Watercraft Operator MOS https://youtu.be/mxxiWG8CYOk

Soldiers in this MOS are the operators of the vessels, among many other tasks to keep our vessels afloat. Click the link above for more information on the duties and responsiblities of this job.

88L Watercraft Engineer MOS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KaT1P5fpXs

Watercraft Engineers are the enlisted Soldiers expected to be proficient in Electrical and Environmental Control Systems, Power Generation and Propulsion Systems, Welding, Lubrication and Fuel Systems, Refrigeration, Steering Mechanisms, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems, the Hull, Piping, and general vessel maintenance.

For more information, visit https://transportation.army.mil/enlisted/cmf88l.html.

When the Army’s vessels are away from port conducting missions all over the world, the Engineers keep them running, no matter what the obstacle. These specialized Soldiers are directy responsible for the success of the mission.

Officers

The natural progression of an enlisted Army Mariner is to advance to a Marine Engineering Officer (881A) or a Marine Deck Officer (880A) who are Subject Matter Experts in Army Watercraft Systems and Operations.

For more information, visit https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/881A/.

Marine Engineering Warrant Officers graduate from their Warrant Officer Basic Course trained on diesel engines, air conditioning, refrigeration, advanced electrical, hydraulic, and auxiliary systems, including reading and understanding blueprints and electrical schematics, and welding operations. Students also obtain the EPA 608 Certification for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. These Soldiers are highly trained in several vital engineering and operations areas.

For more information, visit https://transportation.army.mil/WO/881A.html).

Best of all, Army Mariners can transfer their learned skills into the civilian workforce. In highlighting these exceptional individuals that do not get the accolades they deserve, I would like to introduce four Army Legacy Soldiers and the fathers they followed into the Watercraft profession—widely considered one of the best kept secrets in the Army.

The Peruccio Family

CW4(R) Jason Peruccio joined the Army as an 88L Watercraft Engineer in July of 1998 and became an 881A Marine Engineer in March of 2005. He retired in October of 2019. Jason continues working with Army Watercraft in Japan as a civilian. Pictured above is Jason and his family, son Dominic included, prior to a deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) circa 2006.

Mr. Peruccio’s son, PFC Dominic Peruccio, joined the Army in October 2022 and graduated Advanced Individual Training (AIT) MOS:88L (Watercraft Engineer) course in March 2023. He serves as an Engineman aboard the Landing Craft Utility 2028 (LCU-2028) stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. Pictured above is PFC Peruccio and CW4 Peruccio at PFC’s AIT graduation.

PFC Peruccio recalls his father conducting missions all over the world. One example was 2010 Operation Unified Response (OUR), the United States’ Humanitarian Aid mission in Haiti, where he viewed his dad as a hero affected Haitians, bringing food, water, and medical aid following an earthquake. PFC Peruccio states, “I grew up surrounded by the mariners. I saw this community doing something important, going on missions to help other people all over the world… “Growing up, I saw first-hand the impact my father had on the Soldiers he worked with, as a great leader and a friend, and that made me want to be just like him.” Pictured above is the day PFC Peruccio enlisted into the Army onboard an Army Watercraft (LCU-2000) at Yokohama North Dock (YND), Japan.

The McGuire Family

CW4 Theodore McGuire, joined the Army as an 88L Watercraft Engineer in February of 1992. He later accessed as an 881A Marine Engineering Warrant Officer in September of 2008. Pictured above is WO1 McGuire pinning upon completion of Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS).

CW4 McGuire’s son, SGT Hunter McGuire, joined the Army as an 88L Watercraft Engineer in 2017 and is currently assigned at Joint Base Langley- Eustis, VA. Pictured above CW4 McGuire and his son SGT Hunter McGuire at the Army Transportation Museum.

SGT McGuire remembers Smithfield High JROTC field trip where they visited Third Port at JBLE to see the fleet of Army Watercraft. He grew up surrounded by the Army Watercraft community, but the Third Port this trip put it all together for him. SGT McGuire remembers, “hearing the stories about all the different places all over the world my father had traveled really made it the only thing in the Army I ever wanted to do or could ever think of doing…when I went to speak with a recruiter, they said I could go to Japan, which was my first deployment aboard the vessels after I graduated AIT. The travel aspect was a big deal for me, being able to get out in the world and see different places."

The Moore Family

Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Retired) Michael Moore was drafted on his birthday in 1972. He later retired as a Marine Engineer Chief Warrant Officer 4 in March of 1995. Pictured above is CW4(R) Moore with his wife and son Christopher.

WO1 Christopher Moore joined the Army in 2009, Christopher Moore pinned WO1 as an 881A Marine Engineer in 2021. Pictured above, WO1 Moore stands in the center of his 88L30 Class photo.

WO1 Moore remembers the moment he knew he was going to follow the same path as his father. “I was working another job with no possibility of promotion and spending a ton of money on tools. My Dad had a house and truck and back then I thought he was rich. So, I figured boats wouldn’t be that different than diesels I was working on”. WO1 Moore is currently assigned to 329th Transportation Company (Composite) Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, as the Chief Engineer for an LCU 2000.

The Maleck Family

CW3 Frank Maleck joined the Army in 2001 as an 88L Watercraft Engineer in the Puerto Rico National Guard. In 2004, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and in 2015 became an 881A Marine Engineering Warrant Officer. He continues to serve in the Reserves and recently graduated from the 881A2 Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC) here at MITD. With this graduation, CW3 Maleck became an A2 Certified Engineer, further expanding his knowledge of Army Watercraft systems and functions in the Army and during the execution of Joint Operations. Pictured above is CW3 Maleck promoting his son Israel Maleck to CW2.

CW3 Frank Maleck’s son, CW2 Israel Maleck, joined the Army as an 88L Watercraft Engineer in 2012 and advanced to 881A Marine Engineering Warrant Officer in 2020. He is currently stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia as the Chief Engineer on the LCU-2000. Pictured above is WO1 Israel Maleck and his family.

When asked about his Fathers influence on his career choices Israel Maleck says, “I've had many mentors throughout my military career but none have been more influential than my Dad. My goal has always been to accomplish everything that he has and to do it faster. There have always been ‘big shoes to fill’." CW2 Maleck is living proof that it is possible. “I had every intention of earning SFC and to be assigned as an 88L40 on an LSV, but marriage gave me a different perspective. I needed to provide for a family now. My Dad, to this day, proves that everything I am doing is possible and continues to provide guidance and mentorship; and I will continue to follow his lead until he hangs up his uniform. I will then continue to carry the family legacy and guide the next generation of Army Mariners."

In closing

I have had the opportunity to work with each one of these Soldiers throughout my career. I can say with absolute certainty they love what they do and are an absolute benefit to our field. These, and other Army mariners like them, continue to leave a legacy of selfless service and sacrifice impacting future generations. Their passion and love for the Army Watercraft field has transferred to their children as they chose to follow in their footsteps.

If you are thinking of joining the military and are looking for a bright future with endless opportunities, it is important to know that there are jobs like this for those that like to work hard, work with their hands, and make a difference.

Sail Army!