Which Branch Should I Join as a Civil Engineering graduate (Army, Navy or AF)?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:46:57 -0500

I am currently in Graduate school (structural engineering) while serving as an Army reservist (PFC). I was thinking of becoming an officer in US Army Corps of Engineers. However, after researching about USACE, the jobs that engineer officer in USACE does is not real engineering but more like management (managing his/her soldiers and maybe construction management). I really like my engineering major but at the same time, I would like to serve this country as an engineering officer. My strong interest is structural/design analysis of either buildings/bridges/dams/ships. But it is quite hard for me to find right officer position in any military branch. Please help. Thank you!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 5 at 2018 6:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:48:55 -0500

What interests you?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 5 at 2018 7:27 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:27:47 -0500

Army. Thank you for your future service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 5 at 2018 7:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:38:42 -0500

For your edification from the Army perspective. I want to caveat this by telling you I was in Aviation, Tanks, Budget, but never in engineering, and disaster recovery.

Overview
An engineer officer is responsible for providing full support to the wide range of engineering duties in the Army. They can help build structures, develop civil works programs and even provide combat support.

Job Duties
Sapper — Emplace demolitions, conduct reconnaissance and support maneuver units with mobility, countermobility and survivability
Bradley — Destroy, neutralize and suppress the enemy using the Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Construction — Construct roads, buildings, military bases, airfields, etc.
Bridge — Construct, emplace or assemble numerous bridges
Rescue — Perform search and rescue operations
Training — Train the force, write new policy and research alternative engineering technology

I might add support the recovery from man-made and natural disasters.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 7:46 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 19:46:56 -0500

Army fool

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 5 at 2018 8:14 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:14:26 -0500

It depends on what you see as your ultimate future. That's when you're done with the MIL stuff. Take a look at the varied progression plans for engineers. If your plan is to be a registered PE, then you want a program that will support it. For the Navy, it's pretty simple. You WILL get your Seabee Warfare Quals done. You WILL go to Grad School, You WILL get your Contracting Warrants. You WILL get your PE ticket. That's if you want to make O-5. Risky going for O-4 as the people who don't have it usually are in the third crunch at the promotion board. The Navy plan is pretty specific and you need to be shrewd in making sure you hit all the pedigree buttons. I'm sure the AF and AR have specific preferred paths. The problem with the AF is much of their construction contracting is done by AR and Navy, so there's experience you'd find hard to get. AR experience that translates best to the outside is COE work. They do facilities, real estate, waterways, dams, etc. Those are different billets vs. demolition, sapper, revetments, etc. which have limited commercial application.

BTW, registration for PE is trending to require more schooling than a BS. Your Grad work needs to be in an engineering discipline that you want to get your ticket in. It was a terrific journey for me in doing real engineering on all the continents (yes, Antarctica too). To do what you're contemplating, you'll have to be evermore moving forward, lest you never get there and become disillusioned. But the journey will be worthwhile. Remember the old Chinese Proverb: "May you live in interesting times."

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 5 at 2018 9:05 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 21:05:31 -0500

Army duh and you already in reserves so why switch?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 5 at 2018 10:58 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 22:58:49 -0500

USACE has the Title 10 responsibility for all military construction, among other things.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 11:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 23:50:39 -0500

If you want to actually do engineering the federal service is not for you. There is very, very little actual engineering going on by federal staff, military or civilian. It is much easier and better to have the concept drawings done by in staff personnel, but the actual engineering is done by a contract, awarded to an A&E Firm that specializes in the type of building to be designed. As such, if you really want to design and do engineering commissioning into the reserves or National Guard is the best place for you, with a full time job at a private company.
If you would rather be active duty, I would highly recommend looking at the Navy, you'll get the best duty locations and never need to serve on a ship. Sure beats Minot North Dakota or El Paso Texas.
My background is an Army Engineering Officer who works his civilian job as a Federal Construction Contracting Officer.

Good luck.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:11 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:11:19 -0500

https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer-opportunities/programs/direct-commission-engineer-dce

Look at this....

Direct Commission Engineer (DCE)

The DCE Program provides engineers and technologists with leadership opportunities; implementing systems that enable and support CG missions.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:12 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:12:38 -0500

https://www.usphs.gov/profession/engineer/

This too....

Engineering Jobs at USPHS Commissioned Corps

USPHS offers diverse jobs in engineering: mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and more.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:16:42 -0500

https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/noaa-commissioned-officer-corps

And this...

NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps | Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

NOAA Corps officers serve on the sea, on land, and in the air to support NOAA's environmental science and stewardship mission.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:16:59 -0500

http://www.same.org

Join this....

www.same.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:28 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:28:56 -0500

Your circumstances seriously interest me, however, I've been where you want to go, though being prior enlisted, you have decided advantages over me when I went in, as I was totally clueless, no !after how motivated. That being said, elaborate for me, in copious detail, exact course titles, undergrad and grad, GPAs, hobbies, reading, interests, as well. Have you looked at any ROTC programs? Have you looked at USMC Platoon Leaders Course (PLC). Look at USPHS COSTEP, the USPHS equivalent of ROTC. You could quite easily try for Army WOCS for rotary wing as well, I need much, much more to help you, and I think I can help you, however, he more you give, the more I can suggest. I want you to try to be as technically specific as you can bez please give me solid technical details, numerical methods, scientific programming, civil engrg exposure, EIT exam PE license, outside civilian work exposure, externships, internships, recommendations, I've done a double bach and triple masters in EE, physics and math, I worked 11 yrs as an EE, before going clinical, I was dociptoral level allied health though I'm disabled now, we shut my license sevl urs ago, I wanted bioengineering, biomathematics, and/or mathematical biophysics, however, the fates conspired, and I just got too ill, I'd wanted to go USPHS in the world's worst way. Your question is as complex as it is due to your level which affords you many different flexible possibilities, so help myself and he rest of us help you, by doi g a really detailed, thorough bio sketch, I'm taking sevl pages, of at all possible, type out your entire course lists from your transcripts with grades, if you'd want tp, that'd help. Also, would you want flight? Would you want ship design? Could you go where you are to do your PhD, and get to the top of the engineering food chain? Also, look seriously at material sciences for your PhD, it's a major area right now, send much more, I'm very eager to hear more, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:36 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:36:48 -0500

I'm not saying Corps of Engrs is a bad way to go, I'm merely offering you alternatives, that you might not know about, NOAA is pure science, plus, they want masters only minimum now, and have an excellent flight program. And by flight, I mean back seat also, not just pilot, I'm speaking of USAF nav.UNT, and Navy NFO, USCG also has an excellent flight program. At your level, you'd have a decnet chance to get into AFIT or NPS for USAF or Navy, their grad schools, look them up, I'll try to send you the links, as well, or you could also do a bioscience PhD at USUHS and branch out that way, USPHS has serious use for engineers, plus, USPHS can also detail you back to one of the other services for you to be an engineer with them as well, I'd read of a USPHS engineer who'd gotten an award serving with Army. Look at all services, all, not solely one, trust me, I kmow exactly what I'm talking about, you'd have a good chance at flight test engineer with the USAF USN, UK, or French test political schools, even if you didn't go flightz or you could also try for flight test navigators or submit for NASA, though you'd likely need your PhD if you weren't flight qualified. Warrant might not ne a bad way to go also, there are numerous options for that, USCH has an R&D center in Connecticut, that'd ne perfect for you, give me more, and I'll try to help you pick from various directions, OK? And get your EIT and PE done, either that or land surveyor (LS), or registered architect (RA) possibly, join the NSPE, I'll send you the link, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 1:37 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:37:16 -0500

http://www.mspe.org

Here's their link....

Missouri Society of Professional Engineers - Home Page

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 1:42 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:42:49 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member, I can't comment on the Engineer side of the house and there are some great responses on here...some bad ones too. There is NO guarantee that you will get to be an Engineer if you join. Not in the Army at least. That's if you go through a program like ROTC. Your branch is determined by a board that meets and determines what you will do. Having a Civil Engineering degree would help, but it's no guarantee. You could end up as a Field Artillery Officer. If you can find a direct commission program, that's the only way to guarantee...but those are few and far between. Engineers in the military don't do what you are talking about, even in USACE.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:08 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:08:16 -0500

https://www.usuhs.edu/graded/doctoral

Don't discount this....

Uniformed Services University

The mission of the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences is to educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed services health professionals, scientists, and leaders to support the Military and Public Health Systems, the National Security and National Defense Strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our Uniformed Services.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:10 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:10:14 -0500

https://www.navy.com/careers/engineering-applied-science/construction.html

This'd nenrough training, very rough, though you'd be perfect for it....

Be a Seabee with a Career in Navy Construction : Navy.com

Become a Navy Seabee! Find construction jobs for builders, electricians, equipment operators, utilitiesmen or other tradesman. Learn more!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:11 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:11:18 -0500

https://www.navy.com/careers/engineering-applied-science/construction.html

I'm resending this, going commissioner this way could ne perfect for you...

Be a Seabee with a Career in Navy Construction : Navy.com

Become a Navy Seabee! Find construction jobs for builders, electricians, equipment operators, utilitiesmen or other tradesman. Learn more!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:14 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:14:55 -0500

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Base_Engineer_Emergency_Force

You could also go commissioned herez of your tastes are more toward civil, of course, just a thought. !.

Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force - Wikipedia

A Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force is a rapidly deployable, specialized civil engineer unit of the United States Air Force. Prime BEEFs provide a full range of engineering support required to establish, operate, and maintain garrison and contingency airbases.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:16:52 -0500

And listen to me, trust me, managerial aspects are something youre going to have to live with beyond a certain point, you need course work in engrg mgmt, look up PERT/CPM, critical path method,mwuantitative manage!ent you also need a LOT of multivariate Gaussian and non Gaussian statistics, as well...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:17 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:17:28 -0500

Lol kemi said, today's your lucky day....I really do know what I'm talkingnabout, promise....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:18 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:18:13 -0500

I've been exactly where you wamma go...just follow !umlead,mamdmill show you everumoption,mthenmyoumpick!and choose....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:18 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:18:32 -0500

http://www.arxov.org

Getmised to using this...a LOT....

www.arxov.org

See related links to what you are looking for.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:18 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:18:55 -0500

http://www.vixra.org

And this....

viXra.org open e-Print archive

ViXra.org is an e-print archive set up as an alternative to the popular arXiv.org service owned by Cornell University. It has been founded by scientists who find they are unable to submit their articles to arXiv.org because of Cornell University's policy of endorsements and moderation designed to filter out e-prints that they consider inappropriate. ViXra is an open repository for new scientific articles. It does not endorse e-prints accepted...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:20 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:20:29 -0500

http://www.pnas.org/

And this...

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:21 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:21:14 -0500

Gimme more..I'm here...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:22 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:22:21 -0500

http://www.science.gov

Learn how to ise this, just ne careful what you look through, however, it can ne a very useful search tool....

www.science.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:23 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:23:55 -0500

https://www.sti.nasa.gov/

Trymthismout as well...

Home Page - NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program

The NASA STI Program is vital in worldwide scientific and technical aerospace R&D. It acquires, processes, archives, announces, and disseminates NASA STI.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:24 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:24:35 -0500

http://www.spirceforge.org

Ajdntoull love this if you haven't seen it...

www.spirceforge.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:25 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:25:45 -0500

http://www.sourceforge.org

Resending, sorry, typo...

www.sourceforge.org

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 6 at 2018 2:26 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 02:26:29 -0500

I gotta lot more, trust me....

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 6 at 2018 11:07 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 11:07:45 -0500

Look, combat engineer officers at the LT level are working with their troops, CPT's start into more serious management. You could put your time in and the go to the Corps of Engineers- the folks that monitor, fix our bridges, waterways, dams, etc.

Response by MAJ Pohan Bystrom made Mar 6 at 2018 7:01 PM

MAJ Pohan Bystrom — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 19:01:01 -0500

I suggestion if you want to do engineering try getting a position through usajobs with the corp of engineers and not through joining the Army. You are more likely to get into the position you are looking for than if you join and hope to be appointed to the engineering core.

Response by SFC Jonathan Riley made Mar 7 at 2018 10:54 AM

SFC Jonathan Riley — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:54:53 -0500

The choice is up to you however in the Army you need to look into the 21 series that the MOS for Combat Heavy Engineers. In the series you will find carpenters, masons, electricians, and plumbers just like you find in the Seabees (Navy), or Redhorse (Air Force). But, you must understand that during wartime we really don't a lot of reconstruction projects. During peacetime we will be doing projects that fall in the area of civil engineering. The Army has constructed roads, school, housing, airfields, wells and much more. But, like I said the finial choice is yours talk to all of the recruiters before you jump into anyone branch.

Response by SFC Joseph Dunphy made Mar 12 at 2018 9:10 AM

SFC Joseph Dunphy — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 09:10:06 -0400

I can t comment on which branch might be better, but I can point out that age matters if you are going for a direct commission. I took a mid-career MBA, in night school, and so was close to the age limit to apply for a direct commission when I graduated. That s when I found out that there were some additional pre-requisite courses the Army wanted done, and by the point I was exhausted from the grind, and just dropped the application, as completing the courses would have pushed me over the age limit. In hindsight, I probably should have looked into a waiver, as leadership courses I already had on my record would have probably counted. 20-20 hindsight.

Response by Cpl Christopher Keown made Mar 25 at 2018 9:36 AM

Cpl Christopher Keown — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 09:36:05 -0400

Marine Corps, Grunt ! You will never forget the bond of this brotherhood and you have a lifetime to get your career in order and a life time as. Marine to cherish with life long friends and brothers you will never forget.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 10:41 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 10:41:27 -0400

There isn’t much engineering in federal service. That is all contracted out. You might want to stay in the Civilian sector. My daughter is an electrical engineer. She is actually building a robot this month. The Army is making her a field artillery officer. Just because you have an engineering degree doesn’t mean you will get to branch engineer. Unless your a doctor, nurse, or lawyer the Army doesn’t care what your degree is in.

Response by Sgt William Land made Mar 27 at 2018 3:37 PM

Sgt William Land — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:37:28 -0400

My information is going to be a little bit dated. However, I did work in the engineers for the Air Force. It was my last gig with them. There were officers and warrant officers assigned at the Squadron level but they are more likely I believe to be found in a logistics session. They did work on projects they had to do with the PE side of Base planning you might want to investigate that. You could be a warrant or regular officer either way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2018 5:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 17:50:07 -0400

1) The jobs that engineer officer in USACE does is not real engineering but more like management.
-- Most Officer Jobs are management, it doesn't mean you won't learn, but you focus on managing different levels of units. A 2nd LT of course manages (leads) a platoon, Captain, a Company, and up and up.
-- As an Officer you also will work in sections, S1, S3, S4, etc. and focus on planning. Taking Operations Orders analyzing them and coming up with the best recommendations for your commander and the unit. Yes, people will say staff turd but trust me you learn things working with operations orders and planning.
-- I will also say this too that even as an NCO, the higher up you go, in the NCO core, you do the same things focusing on "a" specific area, and many times as an NCO you have more experience than the officer in that particular area, thus advising him/her. I have to mention this as well. You learn to rely upon your NCO's.
-- Even as an NCO the higher up you go your managing (leading). A First Sergeant may say babysitting.....LOL. Just because you have a degree doesn't mean you have to be an officer. I have a friend who is an SFC who is also a Vice President of a startup company. He has his MBA.
-- I guess a good example I can give is a Signal Officer, signal officers are more managers while the enlisted know the details of the equipment. The Signal Officer focuses on planning and management. But the signal officer, if they take the time, will learn the systems, and details, it makes you a better leader to your soldiers.

2) My strong interest is structural/design analysis of either buildings/bridges/dams/ships.
-- I can understand the need to find something related. I am infantry and am a software engineer. Try to find something that matches to the best of your ability. I chose infantry but will be moving to Cyber.

Response by PO2 George Frasier made Apr 7 at 2018 10:32 PM

PO2 George Frasier — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 22:32:43 -0400

I was a 2d generation Navy Seabee so I'm partial. I'd recommend the Seabees for a number of reasons. The "Bees" are the top combat proven builders the military has. As a reserve (depending on the unit) you will be able to do 'public service work' in your area/region. As military "tradition" goes, the armed forces will tell any other that they are the best, but the main units that get little to no "flack" are the "Bees". Past history dictates that it you wanted anything fixed the "bees" could get it done, and nobody gets in the way of a unit that can get "fixing" done whether it's a truck, building, tower, road or whatever is needed.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Apr 16 at 2018 2:52 AM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 02:52:57 -0400

If you want to travel to build things it's a toss between the AF or NAVY. The USAF has travelling CE squadrons called RED HORSE. They build anything and everything you can imagine. NAVY has CBs, construction battalions. They do the same thing but been at it since WW2 It's your choice really, choose one, but choose wisely.

Response by SPC Travis Grizzard made May 13 at 2018 11:29 PM

SPC Travis Grizzard — Sun, 13 May 2018 23:29:03 -0400

I'm not going to answer your question, I'm going to give you a non military option. US Public Health Service. They are one of the Uniform Services, all members are commissioned, equal to a military commission. Your uniform is basically a Naval uniform, with a slightly different emblem. You get all the same benefits as the military, and can transfer to the military at a later date.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made May 18 at 2018 2:52 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Fri, 18 May 2018 14:52:06 -0400

Definitely Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2018 11:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 23:21:38 -0400

Navy SeaBees is a good place for structural engeneering ... CHECK IT OUT !!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2018 2:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:53:19 -0400

My aunt was a DA civilian who worked as a Civil Engineer for the USACE for 25 years. She worked with many Army officers throughout her career. The construction management you speak of is the other side of the Corps, the Engineer Regiment. I personally want to pursue more positions in the Regiment because I'm interested in Combat Engineering and other combat related roles for engineer officers. But someone like you who wants to do more civil engineering should look at positions as one of the few thousand officers employed by the Corps. The USACE provides 24% of the US's hydro-power capacity; plans, designs, builds, and operates locks and dams; works on projects like flood control, beach nourishment, and dredging for waterway navigation; designs and constructs flood protection systems through various federal mandates; designs and constructs management of military facilities for the Army, Air Force, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve and other Defense and Federal agencies; and works on environmental regulation and ecosystem restoration.

I hope I was able to give you insight. The USACE website might have info on how to pursue a position in the Corps. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I'll see if my aunt can provide some insight. If she can't, she certainly knows someone who does.