Job: Combat Engineer (21B)

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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.


Having a combination of combat ability and building skills is necessary when it comes to tackling rough terrain in combat situations. Combat Engineers primarily supervise, serve or assist as a member of a team. They provide much-needed combat effectiveness to the maneuver force by accomplishing mobility, and limited counter mobility, limited survivability and general engineering task. Some of your duties as a Combat Engineer may include:

* Construct fighting positions, for individuals and weapons
* Construction of fixed and floating bridges
* Construction of obstacles and defensive positions
* Place and detonate explosives
* Conduct obstacle breaching operations
* Conduct assault river crossing operations
* Execute target demolition
* Prepare and install firing systems for demolition and explosives
* Detect mines by visual means or by using a mine detector
* Prepare route clearance operations
- RG-31, husky, Buffalo

Job training for Combat Engineers requires 14 weeks of One Station Unit Training, which includes Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field to include on-the-job instruction. Your on-the-job training primarily consists of manual work in a variety of training. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

* Basic demolitions
* Basic explosive hazards
* Constructing wire obstacles
* Fixed Bridge building
* Basic urban operations
* Operating heavy equipment, JAB, ABV, ACE, AVLB, Buffalo, HEMMIT

Helpful attributes include:

* Ability to use hand and power tools
* Ability to think and remain calm under stress
* Interest in engineering
* Preference for working outdoors

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

* Direct and assist in the operation of engineering wheeled or tracked vehicles
* Direct the construction of fighting positions and wire entanglements
* Control fire team movements
* Place explosives and clear misfires
* Conduct reconnaissance operations
* Conduct Urban Breaching Operations
* Conduct Counter Explosive hazards

Your training as a Combat Engineer will easily prepare you for practically any position that might interest you in the fields of construction, building inspection or building engineering. Civilian positions such as construction and building inspectors involve examining the construction, alteration or repair of buildings, highways and streets, water systems, bridges and other structures to ensure compliance with building codes and ordinances.

* Bridge Crewmember (21C)
* Construction Equipment Operator (21E)
* Plumber (21K)
* Carpentry and Masonry Specialist (21W)

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