How can I become a Civil Engineer in either the Army or Air Force?

Ryan Weers — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:03:13 -0400

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?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 27 at 2023 5:53 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:53:23 -0400

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.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Jun 27 at 2023 9:07 AM

CSM William Everroad — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 09:07:58 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 27 at 2023 2:04 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:04:34 -0400

There is the Corps of Engineers, if my memory serves, they wear silver vice gold buttons on their uniforms. Might be what you are looking for. Not sure how they recruit their officers. There is a COL that commands each District. Might try the District Office and see if you can find some info.

Not sure about USAF, I know at SJAFB construction is handled by the Wilmington Office of the Corps. For a while, they were building so many buildings for the AF, DECA and AAFES there was a branch Corps office at SJAFB.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 27 at 2023 9:02 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:02:31 -0400

Try to Corps of Engineers, federal government engineers

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2024 1:47 PM

Amn Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:47:53 -0400

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Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 4 at 2025 9:12 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 09:12:34 -0500

Construction sounds to me like Silver Button Engineers, The Corps of Engineers. I do not know much about the except they build stuff, maintain waterways, etc. AFAIK, the USAF has no such capability. Whenever buildings, roads, runways, Commissaries, housing, etc. are being built on SJAFB, the Army does it.