Posted on May 23, 2017
SGT Robert Cupp
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Any thoughts or interesting experiences would be helpful. I'm just trying to decide if it would be worth it to remove my blue chord.
Posted in these groups: Engineers regimental insignia 12B: Combat Engineer
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Edited 8 y ago
I was a 12B. Being paid to blow things up and......OHHH YEAAAHHH!!!

But every unit is what you make it. Honestly, there were times being a 12B sucked, but the great times far outweighed the suck times. Just, as I'm sure, is the same for the Infantry.
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SPC Scott Currens
SPC Scott Currens
8 y
I agree as an 11B there was somethings that sucked, but you were trained to embrace the suck. I made lifelong brothers that would have my back no matter what I understand that exists military wide but when the shit hits the fan as Infantry it has a lot deeper meaning.
I told my son that Infantry was the best job simply because you go hiking camping and get to blow shit up, which takes on a whole new meaning during combat but in my opinion it's still the best job I ever had.
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CSM Richard StCyr
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12b is like Infantry only with explosives and big assed route clearance vehicles. Try it....You'll like it!
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PFC Adrian Hazard
PFC Adrian Hazard
8 y
12B, the only MOS with a lower life expectancy than 11B. :D At least when I was in.
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CSM First Sergeant
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Fucking grunts think they are superior, I doubt you have the GT, GM scores to qualify as a 12B. I suggest you move on and promote yourself to full civilian. You obviously have no idea the role we Engineers have in combined arms operations. Before the infantry enter an area it first gets a recon and breaching operations by the Engineers.
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SSG Platoon Sergeant
SSG (Join to see)
8 y
That's why we appreciate you, 1SG
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SGT Team Leader
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11b to 12b? I want to try something new but I'm afraid it will be lame once I get in an engineer unit.
SGT Matthew S.
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Edited 8 y ago
It is what you make of it. You'd get to see a different side of combat and expand your knowledge &
skills.

With deployments and whatnot I didn't get the demolitions training & experience I had hoped for going in, but I still learned quite a bit and enjoyed most of it.

I'd recommend it, but then again I may be biased as a former 12B.
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SGT Infantryman
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I hold both 11B and 12B mos, I switched to 12B cause I was tired of ruck'n everywhere. The biggest difference in my experience is we drive everywhere and blow things up, other then that everything else is the same as infantry. Hope this helps.
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SGT Kyle Bickley
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Lame? Who you calling lame? We do every the infantry does and more! I can take a platoon of Engineers, work them all night and cut them loose on the enemy in the morning. They are pissed and can out fight a company of infantry by that time. You gotta be a big man to be a line dog!
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MSG Inspector General
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SGT Robert Cupp the 12Bs support the infantry. They go to the engineer qualification range once a year, you only get to "blow shit up" rarely, at best three times a year. You are not moving upward, more like sideways. I was a 12b for 13 years before I was medically reclassified. Do something else, there several options that are better. Think about the long range, 5-10 years. Where do you want to be? I am proud to have served as a Sapper, but I am extremely proud to be an air defender now. Much better opportunities.
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SFC Matt Berry
SFC Matt Berry
8 y
I agree. I was a 12B for 6 years. When I got out, I was trained for nothing except manual labor jobs. I came back in and now I run the S1 for an Engineer Battalion. S1 isn't for everyone, but this line of work suits me better than being a sapper ever did.
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SGT Richard Sheehan
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You'll have more fun, blowing shit up.
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SPC Robert Brooks
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Sapper for Life
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PFC Adrian Hazard
PFC Adrian Hazard
8 y
SAPPERS FORWARD!
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SPC Chris Reding
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I went from 11B to 12B back in the 90's. It was tough giving up the blue cords that I had worked very hard for, (I went through Infantry Basic at the age of 32) but found that it was worth it to me. I went into a light combat engineer unit, so it was basically infantry with explosives, but had a great time. We embedded with infantry, so it was like being in the infantry with additional toys and protection. Lots of variety in types of engineer units,, though. Be careful where you pick.
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PFC Roger Goff
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ESSAYONS!
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SPC William Biles
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That is an intensely personal decision for yourself.
I will say, being a 12B for four of my six years in, were so.e of the best years if my life. The camaraderie is second to none, as I imagine it is in all combat MOS', and of course, using Comp4 and TNT and frequent grenade qualifications were always a good day. And, even though exausting, pounding pickets- lots and lots of pickets-- were also good days. Plus! All the cross training with the various other Engineering MOS' was a boon getting to drive and operate all the machines and vehicles... I'm getting a Freedom Boner just thinking about it all... Good times- Good Training, Hooah!
Whatever you choose, good luck to you.
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SGT Jeffrey Glaude
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There is nothing at all lame about 12B, it's all the fun of infinity but with a lot more explosions, lol
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CPL John Spears
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Build em up and blow em down. Never sleep and seldom lie down
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SPC Todd Rhoades
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Go 12B light, Sapper unit, and you'll still get all the gruntin you desire. As a rule, 12B sqd or fire team attached to 11B platoon or sqd.
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PV2 Combat Engineer
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Let us try!
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SPC Todd Rhoades
SPC Todd Rhoades
8 y
Do or Do Not , try is not an option.
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SPC Kiel Quigley
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Its essentially the same job except as an engineer u will become proficient in explosives. Same kind of traing details, rotations ect. Most of my first deployments I was actually attached to and infantry unit. We are kinda like the red headed step children that drink and fight alot lol! If u enjoy the 11b side come to 12b and add a skillset!
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SSG Randy Wise
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Both mos's are similar. 12B requires a bit more out of you. But opens doors for employment in the civilian world
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SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II
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12B
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SGT Combat Engineer
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I would say keep one major thing in mind. You are now a salesman and therefore a SME. When working with Cav or infantry know all your roles and parts and sell them on the necessity of whatever your element is doing (Breaching, Route clearance etc). That's something I live by at work hopefully it helps.
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