What was it like to go from office worker to essentially Infantry by reclassifying to combat arms/12B?

Lesson one: don't be the guy that becomes a 12B and then tells people you're "essentially infantry."

Find a job you like. If you like your MOS, you will stay in the military regardless of any civilian application for it. If you hate your job in the military, you won't want to get out and do it on the civilian side anyways. Just find something you like to do.

Saying that Combat Engineer is essentially Infantry will annoy/piss off everyone that is Combat Engineer AND Infantry. Combat Engineer has lots of paperwork. Just like any other MOS. Also, it's math intensive. You don't want to be that person that calculated the math for explosives wrong and kill yourself and/or everyone around you......or trying to breach a wall and didn't use enough to knock a hole.

*Cough* Oh lord, another one of THOSE guys. There is nothing that is "essentially" infantry. You either are or you are not. There is no essentially anything. 12b is combat Engineer and aside from wearing the uniform, carrying and employing your primary weapon and support weapons that is about as "essentially Infantry" and as close to it as you will get. 12B is NOTHING close to 11B. Period.

That said, ok so you dislike paperwork. lol And you are looking to go into 12B which is paperwork intensive with their training and issues. Dude, it's JUST paperwork, and that is really the least of things, all things considered.

You are an engineer. Cut and dried and yeah there is a fair amount of math involved.

I thought 12B was a lot of fun.
But I was a 12B when we still trained to put in land mines by hand.

If you go 12B, don’t say ur essentially infantry. Those are two different jobs. Be proud of being a combat engineer and say you happily work along with the infantry guys and all of the combat forces.

Not sure what you are running from. Paperwork is prevalent at every level and MOS. 12B is not infantry and infantry is not 12B. Do more research of what is known to be available and make your decision. Remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Once again the POGs want to say that Infantry are the leftovers. They are skilled soldiers who carry the fight to the enemy. Most POGS feel Infantry is camping overnight. Good luck with that

Essentially Infantry?

Don’t be “that guy” that tell a combat engineer he’s essentially infantry, or vice versa. I am a 92Y who in 1980 decided I was fed up with that field and became a 12B, and then a now defunct 12E (Atomic Demolition - which was rescinded in 1988). So I was left with 92Y/12B. The rest of my career I did both off and on based on whatever the Army wanted me to do. If you like being outside and getting your hands dirty, plus really good at math (Algebra/Geometry) then go for it, I had a great time doing it and it was fun - in a sick kind of way. Lol. By the way, neither MOS got me a good job on the outside. I had to go back to school and get an education in IT just to get a decent job. If you stay in for 20 or more, the retirement pension is pretty good. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

I would say find an MOS that interests you regardless of the paperwork, because as you advance you're going to need to learn how to do paperwork.

Working JAG I was instructed to kick back paperwork that was subpar regardless of who it came from. As you can imagine this caused some friction given my rank, and the demands of the units. Upside is I had a CSM or some officers to back me up when it became a real issue.

Working as an admin clerk and awards clerk, I can tell you so much got kicked back or not processed because of poor paperwork. So for you and the guys you'll be leading, you're going to have to suffer through learning it I'm afraid.

So that's why I say pick something that's interesting to you, because the paperwork will come whether you want it or not.