Is 12B a transferrable skill into energy and construction jobs?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:53:12 -0400

I'm a 92A who wants to transition to a 12B. The reason being one, hate my current mos, and two im looking for an mos that is transferrable into the civilian sector for mostly energy jobs. Say jobs like electrician or a lineman. It doesnt have to be a perfect match but at least to know that it gets companies interested. Plus i plan to attend trade school with my gi bill when i get out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 12:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:46:14 -0400

You have some oh, what I like to call, conflicting illusions.
You want a transferable skill, you currently have a transferable skill. Your current MOS is a job which will translate to a comparable civilian job.
The job that you want to go into requires apprenticeship, and outside of doing those actual jobs as an MOS, the skill set will not transfer into the job that you want.
If your goal is to attend an apprenticeship then why would you waste time to reclass and spend another three years in the army?
Start researching trade schools, save some money, and have your new career ready to go when you transition.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 1:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:42:17 -0400

Not to nitpick or take away SFC Boyd's words, but if your goal was electrician or lineman, why 12B? Why not the jobs that actually deal in that area like 12R, 12P, or 12Q (if your reserve inclined)?

Response by Brigit Freedman made Mar 27 at 2019 2:35 PM

Brigit Freedman — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:35:50 -0400

We have opening for the trades if you want to talk to my Military Transitioning Recruiter you can reach him at [login to see]

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Mar 27 at 2019 2:38 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:38:33 -0400

I come from a combat engineering battalion. I'd say the skills translate very well to construction and maintenance. My fiancee currently does work in fiber optics/cable, and I think that the skill set for 12B would equally translate well into that field as well. On top of obtaining training at a trade school with your GI Bill, I could see you being highly competitive in that field. Just my two cents, though keep in mind that although I was in an engineering battalion, I was a radio operator myself.

All that being said, SFC Private RallyPoint Member and SSG Private RallyPoint Member bring up valid points. Other MOS's in the 12 series might be more appropriate depending on what you actually want to do, and if you intend to go through an apprenticeship program after ETSing, it might not be worth it to reclass unless you truly can't stand being a 92A any more.

Response by SFC David Bentley made Mar 27 at 2019 2:39 PM

SFC David Bentley — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:39:42 -0400

Go prime power production MOS 12P https://www.thebalancecareers.com/12p-prime-power-production-specialist-3345964

Prime Power Production Specialist (12P) Job Description

Job description, qualifications, and training for the Prime Power Production Specialist (12P) in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 27 at 2019 2:48 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 14:48:54 -0400

12B transfers pretty well into the construction field especially in the Construction Inspection and Quality Assurance Jobs. The Construction Trade MOS's like 12H (Vertical Construction), K (plumber), 12N (Earth Movers), 12R (Electrician), 12T (Engineer Technician), 12W (Carpenter) directly correlate to the civilian construction industry. 12P Prime Power Production is another that translates pretty well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 4:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 16:41:01 -0400

Corps of Engineers is one of the most blue collar regiments of the Army. 12B focuses more on the combat aspects of being an engineer, but you still learn valuable skills such as mechanics for example. Jobs like 12K (plumber), 12N (heavy equipment operator), and 12R (electrician) are some of the more technical skilled trade jobs. They also offer certifications for welding and carpentry. 12B isn't a bad gig, but I've sat in equipment digging fighting positions while they had to dig them by hand with E-tools. Just some perspective.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 6:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 18:27:54 -0400

12B is not that kind of engineer. 12B is landmines, wire, explosives, and (in the mechanized world) some special vehicular equipment. It's infantry with a picket pounder and a demo kit.

BUT, there ARE some engineer MOSes that are closer to what you're thinking of. Go here: https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/CMF%2012%20Professional%20Career%20Map
Then click on the link for Construction Engineer and look through that MOS listing.

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 AskHRC

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 8:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:21:57 -0400

None whatsoever. Was a 12b for a few years. Loved the job, but there is just as much civilian transfer of skills as there is for infantry.

Look into 12Q, power production. I worked with those guys on two occasions in Afghanistan. They were professional, seemed to love their job, and were good at it. Lineman is a skill that does transfer to the outside.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2019 10:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 22:09:24 -0400

You don’t necessarily need a trade background to get in to the Energy field. Having military and leadership experience is a plus. If you are looking specifically to enter a trade within Energy then changing MOS to construction engineering would help.... or two birds with one stone —> reserves/National Guard in construction engineering while entering civilian workforce