What is life like as a 12p (Prime power production specialist)?

I have known a few guys that have applied and gone through the program. They said it was a lot of work but worth the training. No one has said they wish they hadn’t done it.

I suggest you contact one of the prime power detachments and talk to one of the NCO’s. The 249th Engineer Battalion is the only active duty unit directly assigned to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). You will receive missions in support of military operations, FEMA, and directly from the state department. One of your missions is to restore “grids”. After the “Towers” came down, Prime Power was brought in to get the lower Manhattan grid back up. Prime Power brought the grid back up in Baghdad. You will be sent on “training missions” in support of the State Department. After you get out, if you chose to work in the field that you were trained in, you will be in demand (assuming it’s not a recession at the time). On the potential down side, if you chose to stay in the unit, the units are only in a few scattered locations. However, your chance of numerous TDY’s is almost certain. When they do deploy, they are usually sent in small teams (unless it’s in response to a major event). My information is somewhat dated (retired now), but I don’t believe it’s too far off (if at all). Obviously I’m going to say go for it if you have the “smarts” (it is technically demanding), and the desire for that type of work. Good luck!

After thought. One of the specialties of the personnel is their ability to “test” systems; find the fault(s), and/or verify that there aren’t any. They don’t just “hook stuff up”.

Follow up- did you make it to the 249th?