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

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.

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.

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.

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)?

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

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.

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.

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

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 (Join to see) and SSG (Join to see) 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.

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