What's daily life as a 12B like on Active Duty?

2020-06-13T19:35:48-04:00

What's daily life as a 12B like on Active Duty? I've heard many different things, some good, some not so good. It seems like something I'd be okay with doing. Being a Reservist, maybe it just seems that way because I'm not Active, but I'd like to know other experiences. Bonus if there's any Sappers that want to share their stories. I'm studying and training to hopefully go to SLC one day. Thanks!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2020 12:39 PM

2020-06-14T12:39:12-04:00

My time as a 12B while on Active Duty consisted of the Motor Pool most of the month (we were mechanized at part of the 11th ACR at FT Irwin) and in the field for 1 week a month. We did Demolitions Ranges about every 3-4 months. So, I think the answer(s) to your question will vary from base to base.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jun 14 at 2020 5:53 PM

2020-06-14T17:53:50-04:00

I was with the 1st Armor Division out of Germany and the 1st Infantry Division out of Ft. Riley. We spent the vast majority of our time in the motor pool working on vehicles & equipment, with typically 1-2 days at most of an average week working on MOS training.

Field problems were a couple times per year and typically 1-2 weeks; while I was at Riley we went to JRTC and NTC for a little over a month each.

I missed the big Graf/Hoehnfels training center rotations by about a month between when I PCS'd in and out due to 3/4 of my Germany time spent in Iraq.

My first deployment (2003) we did a little bit of everything from sector security to checkpoints to fortifying culverts & bridges along supply routes. The second time (2006) we were exclusively route clearance.

Response by SP5 John Fitzgerald made Jun 17 at 2020 12:38 PM

2020-06-17T12:38:16-04:00

Regular Army, 65th Engineers, 25th Infantry Division Vietnam, '66-'67. Most time in field with Infantry units as a "demo man." Mine field extraction, neutralize booby traps, eliminate dud artillery, blow-up tunnel complexes, sweep roads for mines, side-by-side with Infantry fire fights and ambushes. Most important work I ever performed in my entire life.

Response by SP6 Steven Wright made Jun 18 at 2020 5:29 PM

2020-06-18T17:29:38-04:00

I spent 20 years as a combat engineer sapper qualified to me best job in the Army if you want rank quick if you want to be where the action is get sapper trained believe me you are going to love it especially if you like stuff to go (BOOM) lolol

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 12:50 PM

2020-07-08T12:50:29-04:00

I am a 12B attached to a sapper company. We train daily no phone use. Ruck 2-3 a month anywhere from 4-8 miles. Every 3 months we have a demo range. 1-2 fields in winter 1-2 fields a month during warm seasons. My company works really hard to get any type of deployment. That's why we train so much.

Response by SPC Trevor Stutsman made Jul 21 at 2020 5:39 AM

2020-07-21T05:39:44-04:00

I was in the regular Army from 86-91 41st Engineers 10th MTN Division Fort Drum New York Light Infantry. Day to day life at FT Drum was good but expect to be in the field or deployed 75% of the time. Always in the field or gone then when you get back it is nothing but PT and cleaning your gear to get ready for the next exercise. Sapper leader course at FT lost in the woods MO. Engineers ranger school. Its a good patch to have. Light infantry means walking and walking with over 100lbs on your back through all terrain. No vehicles. Was in the best shape of my life made life long friends I am still in contact with today. Have fun and learn to love heights lots of repelling.
Sappers forward

Response by SFC Shawn Havens made Sep 9 at 2020 7:27 PM

2020-09-09T19:27:09-04:00

Well, depends

Response by SPC Christopher Anderson made Nov 25 at 2020 3:36 PM

2020-11-25T15:36:03-05:00

I'll put it this way 12B is the closest thing you will ever get to being infantry without actually being infantry you will train as infantry with more demo and a couple other things like building bridges. The job is to clear the way for the MBF then fight along side the infantry, then rebuild, block, fortify destroy whatever after the fight is over. That said if your in a mech unit expect to live in the motor pool when you are not training an you will train a lot. If you get lucky enough to land in a light fighter unit, your world will revolve around training, if you're not in the field you're in school, if you're not in the field or school you're in the motor pool doing PMCS, inventorying the connex or cleaning weapons, and any SL/PS worth a shit will find someway to institute some sort of training while doing the mundane if you are not deployed. When you do get deployed you will train some more, then you will get to go do the job.

Response by SPC Joe Greco made Dec 6 at 2020 4:48 PM

2020-12-06T16:48:49-05:00

It sucks in Europe we were in the field 250 days out of the year while I was attached to NATOBut I’ve been all over the world Norway Denmark Italy Austria sort purchased God Salzburg France I saw all of Europe and I loved it

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Apr 25 at 2021 10:59 AM

2021-04-25T10:59:03-04:00

82nd Combat Engineers, Germany 73-75 , majority of time spent in the field , long range recon of bridges targeted for demolition, Assault boat river crossings on Rhine , Bridge construction competitions with German engineers, construction of target range for tanks, construction of boy scout camp, squad escape and evade, regular guard duty assignments for base and munitions bunkers (armed) , infantry tatical training winter, reforger, lots of P.T., platoon/squad size problem solving and competition activities, various parades /award ceremony, land navigation map and compus exercises, lots of walking/ hiking for miles, regular rapid deployments for alerts, other guard duty on base for motor pool, on base construction of sidewalks etc.