Should I go 12B or 35M?

2018-09-26T22:35:55-04:00

I’m 29 years old and I’m really thinking about enlisting by the end of the year for 3 years. 12B is the first thing that comes to my mind, but I still wonder if the age won’t get the best of me? What do you think?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-09-26T22:40:06-04:00

If you plan on making this a career I would look more towards the 35 series. If you're already worried about the hit on your body, it's only going to get worse.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-09-26T23:40:59-04:00

35M !!! I’m a 12B and no 12B likes their job. If they say they do they’re lying lol

Response by 1LT Kevin Chapman made Sep 27 at 2018 12:30 AM

2018-09-27T00:30:46-04:00

12B.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2018 12:35 AM

2018-09-27T00:35:18-04:00

12B!
Combat Engineering is a brilliant way to start an Army career. You'll learn to be a proper Soldier and you get to blow things up.
Anyone who says they didn't enjoy being a 12B wasn't doing it right.
You can always reclass to the 35 series later in your career. It usually pays to have a secondary MOS.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2018 12:47 AM

2018-09-27T00:47:57-04:00

To echo what SSG said it's a demanding MOS. It'll quickly wear your body down. Also in reality a good portion of the corps aren't doing their jobs right now due to lack of necessity. I'm a combat engineer and immediately went into Urban Search & Rescue. I also have battles from different installations doing chemical decontamination, attached to infantry doing S1, and being Sergeant Majors personal toy.(friend told me that lol) Not saying your old but you'll probably find it annoying being around 18-23. Don't let this deter you though. Every installation is different and everybody's experience is unique in its own right.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Sep 27 at 2018 11:39 AM

2018-09-27T11:39:48-04:00

As a former 12B, I can affirm what others have said about it being a physically demanding MOS. That being said, you're only 29. You should be able to handle it. Someone said that nobody likes being a 12B, but that's an outright lie. The vast majority of us wouldn't have liked being anything else. I had a GT score that qualified me for every job the army had, but re-enlisted multiple times as a 12B. Being a private kind of sucks, but unless you get in trouble, you should be a specialist in 2 years. Basic goes by very quickly. As long as you can ruck and run, you'll be fine as an engineer.

Response by SSG Bethany Viglietta made Sep 28 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-09-28T13:38:42-04:00

Have you spoken to a recruiter? I know when I was in as a 35M and when I did recruiting, there was the additional requirement of a DLAB. It's a language test to see how well you would be able to learn another language.

I loved my job as a 35M, but it's really about what you want to do. Reclassing isn't always easy and really depends on what the Army needs at that moment in time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-09-28T16:05:16-04:00

Go 35M... 12B is infantry that can blow thinks up....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2018 8:02 PM

2018-09-28T20:02:36-04:00

Are you serious??? Unless you're an ethical A-hole, go 35M. If you're prejudiced and otherwise compromised of ethical judgement, then I'd say go with the 3 minute life-expectancy job. (I'm a prior 12B.. Wish I could get the option of 35 series). Pretty much ANYTHING 35 series, has "life after military" value.. 12B is pretty much isolated to demolitions, and even then, don't carry the CIVILIAN certifications necessary to perform the job. (like learning my NREMT certification meant exactly JACK in the state I'm in, that needed state certification..)

Response by SPC Michael Vroman made Oct 1 at 2018 11:35 AM

2018-10-01T11:35:45-04:00

As someone who was a 12B on active duty and then served as a 35F in the reserves, go towards the 35 series. Most 35M have been moved into the reserve component (from what I understand) due to current operational needs not requiring a large amount of 35M on active duty. Also, the 35 series has a great Warrant Officer program to further develop your intelligence expertise.

If you are looking at the reserves, 35 series is fantastic as you can open doors to the IC and possibly leverage your experience to get into an agency and serve concurrently.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Oct 1 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-10-01T12:37:55-04:00

I was 27 when I went through Infantry OSUT, OCS and Infantry Officer Basic Course at age 30, the last being very much more physical that OSUT, which still isn't easy. I wasn't even in particularly good physical condition when I stepped off the bus. You want it. go for it.
I branch transferred to the Engineer and served almost 6 years in Combat Engineer line companies. I don't regret the switch.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 10:56 PM

2018-10-01T22:56:55-04:00

If you are concerned about having any transferable skills after the military, do not go 12B.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2018 5:41 PM

2018-10-14T17:41:34-04:00

12b is more physically works, stress, field training, and more details. As 12b Career progress is too slow. My advice go to 35M is worthwhile job if you speak foreign language.