Posted on Jun 27, 2023
How can I become a Civil Engineer in either the Army or Air Force?
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I just finished my freshman year of college and I am not in the rotc program. I was seeking some wisdom on if I can do rotc my sophomore year and if it is encouraged or should I get my civil engineering degree and go to OTS after college? Is there another route I can take?
Also, I want to do actual civil engineering or construction management work what MOS would that fall under and in what branch?
Also, I want to do actual civil engineering or construction management work what MOS would that fall under and in what branch?
3E5X1: Engineering
Civil Engineering
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Ryan Weers
CPT Lawrence Cable is correct all engineering falls under Engineer Officer (12A). The downside is the 12A 2LT could be assigned to a Horizontal Construction Company (Heavy Equipment, i.e. road building, grading, etc), Vertical Construction (stick building, trades, i.e. plumbers, electricians, etc), Sapper (Combat Support Effectrs, think breaching), or some of the more niche units (diving, quarry, etc)
Yes, get your Civil Engineering degree if you want to eventually end up in construction engineering. Keep your GPA high. Best bet is ROTC and qualify for a 2-year scholarship in your program if you are competitive.
You could do OCS after graduation without ROTC, but it is another selection process and you have to enlist first. That could end up being a whole experience.
There is no guarantee you would be accessed into a construction billet for your first tour (no matter the route you take), but you can prepare for a few of the entry qualifications during college to add ASIs that would make you more attractive for a construction billet:
Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1Y
Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1X
Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1Z
Professional Engineer (PE) W3
Project Engineer W6
Project Management Professional (PMP) W5
Sapper Leader S4
My advice is to do ROTC, major in CE, keep your GPA high, keep your ROTC ratings high, work on your fitness (join the ROTC fitness club). Graduate, branch engineer, go to EOBC and volunteer for the Sapper train up. Go to sapper school, knock out a short tour, work on your PE rating and CAPM -> PMP.
Even if you get assigned to a billet that won't help you get PM experience, once the BN CDR finds out you are a degreed engineer (especially civil), they will most likely re-assign you.
By the end of your first contract, you should be well positioned to either continue a career in the Army or transition into a decent civilian company.
More about Army Engineer Officers: https://www.army.mil/article/200794/at_army_engineer_school_officers_learn_to_be_lead_problem_solvers
CPT Lawrence Cable is correct all engineering falls under Engineer Officer (12A). The downside is the 12A 2LT could be assigned to a Horizontal Construction Company (Heavy Equipment, i.e. road building, grading, etc), Vertical Construction (stick building, trades, i.e. plumbers, electricians, etc), Sapper (Combat Support Effectrs, think breaching), or some of the more niche units (diving, quarry, etc)
Yes, get your Civil Engineering degree if you want to eventually end up in construction engineering. Keep your GPA high. Best bet is ROTC and qualify for a 2-year scholarship in your program if you are competitive.
You could do OCS after graduation without ROTC, but it is another selection process and you have to enlist first. That could end up being a whole experience.
There is no guarantee you would be accessed into a construction billet for your first tour (no matter the route you take), but you can prepare for a few of the entry qualifications during college to add ASIs that would make you more attractive for a construction billet:
Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1Y
Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1X
Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 1Z
Professional Engineer (PE) W3
Project Engineer W6
Project Management Professional (PMP) W5
Sapper Leader S4
My advice is to do ROTC, major in CE, keep your GPA high, keep your ROTC ratings high, work on your fitness (join the ROTC fitness club). Graduate, branch engineer, go to EOBC and volunteer for the Sapper train up. Go to sapper school, knock out a short tour, work on your PE rating and CAPM -> PMP.
Even if you get assigned to a billet that won't help you get PM experience, once the BN CDR finds out you are a degreed engineer (especially civil), they will most likely re-assign you.
By the end of your first contract, you should be well positioned to either continue a career in the Army or transition into a decent civilian company.
More about Army Engineer Officers: https://www.army.mil/article/200794/at_army_engineer_school_officers_learn_to_be_lead_problem_solvers
At Army engineer school, officers learn to be lead problem solvers
At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Army engineer officers learn to solve all kinds of problems needed to complete missions and meet commander's intent.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Just a comment. PE in this state is a 5 year apprenticeship for BS degree Engineers, 3 for a Masters Degree. On the Structural side of things, it's where the big money resides.
I served all my Engineer side in Divisional Combat Engineer units. My favorite job in the service as ABE (Assistant Brigade Engineer).
I personally would throw Airborne in before Sapper School. I am of th opinion that a Ranger Tab isn't as big of a deal for Engineers, especially if you aren't in a Combat Engineer Unit. That Masters Degree in Engineering probably pulls more weight.
I served all my Engineer side in Divisional Combat Engineer units. My favorite job in the service as ABE (Assistant Brigade Engineer).
I personally would throw Airborne in before Sapper School. I am of th opinion that a Ranger Tab isn't as big of a deal for Engineers, especially if you aren't in a Combat Engineer Unit. That Masters Degree in Engineering probably pulls more weight.
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CSM William Everroad
CPT Lawrence Cable - I would agree, but would definitely prioritize Sapper Leader Course over any other qualification. 2LTs with a Sapper tab write their own ticket with Engineer Commanders. Plus, getting into the school right after EOBC (and with the train-up) pretty much locks in successful performance. If they wait, they probably won't get a slot or probably won't pass (depending on the unit's organic training program). If this Soldier wants to ensure they get assignment of choice, specifically construction, the tab opens way more doors in the Engineer world. Airborne is a good consolation prize.
I second the Masters in Engineering.
I second the Masters in Engineering.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CSM William Everroad - I would absolutely agree with getting it as soon after EOBC (or whatever they call it these days). Infantry Officers generally did Airborne first after what was IOBC, then over the Harmony Church and Ranger School after Airborne. All enroute. The PT and training schedule was geared towards getting you prepared for Ranger School.
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An Army Engineer is a 21A. Army Engineers tend to be generalist, you are expected to be able to do everything from build a bridge to breech an obstacle. There are more specialized jobs.
The Other Question. Yes, you normally can join ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet in your sophomore year, talk to the ROTC recruiter at your school. Be aware that branch choice and active duty slots are competitive, so to have some choices you need to be near the top of the class.
The Other Question. Yes, you normally can join ROTC as a non-scholarship cadet in your sophomore year, talk to the ROTC recruiter at your school. Be aware that branch choice and active duty slots are competitive, so to have some choices you need to be near the top of the class.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CSM William Everroad - Again? Why does the Army insist on changing simple stuff like MOS every couple of years?
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CSM William Everroad
CPT Lawrence Cable - not a clue, I missed 12B when they made the switch to 21B, then missed the 21B when they switched back. Now that I am a 12A (EN CSM), HR people get confused all the time because my MOS went from 12B to 21B to 12X to 12Z to 12A.
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