Posted on Jan 21, 2020
Which MOS best gives me tactical knowledge, training and experience while helping me gain some new marketable skills, 12B or 37F?
4.35K
16
14
1
1
0
Hello all, was hoping for some insight from those in the know. I'm 32, have a masters degree and good civilian job supervising child protective services investigators, I was one for 6 years. prior. I want to hop into the guard or reserves, and am teetering between the two MOS's listed above. I'd like a bit of tactical knowledge, training and experience while simultaneously gaining some new marketable skills. Looking for a solid mix of physicality and mental challenge.
Posted in these groups: 
12B: Combat Engineer
37F: Psychological Operations Specialist
12B: Combat Engineer 37F: Psychological Operations Specialist
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 11
5
5
0
I am currently a 12B in the Guard, in a sapper unit, and I am 37 years old. I can tell you that you may think you are in shape and can do the physical tactical stuff, and you may be able to, but it is taxing on the body at 37. I will tell you for about 10% of the time we get to do some cool stuff...the rest is rucking and carrying heavy stuff. I hit the gym 5/6 days a week between running and heavy weights and I struggle after a long weekend in the mud. I will tell you this as well, I have never had a one weekend a month (2 day) and two week AT a year schedule. Most of our weekends are 3 or 4 days and our AT is typically 3.5 weeks to 4.5 weeks. There is no relatable civilian skill that will transfer. I myself am ready at the door to re-class the minute they will let me. I have a lot of pride in being a 12B, but my body is telling me to slow down or I won't make my 20 years.
(5)
(0)
2
2
0
With your background your best option would be 37F. Being an Engineer is all about the pride & competition. You want experience & real life skills. You know the way to go, jump right in.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
I would avoid the whole " marketable skills" red herring. You have a master's degree, there is no AIT that is going to give you anything more marketable then that. Even if you spend a decade in any MOS, you'll still need to get certificates in your new career field. Also, as a Reservist, you're not going to gain any relevant, applicable, level of experience in your new MOS for years.
At 32, unless you're already in great shape, you are probably over estimating your ability to recover from a physically strenuous job. For your average civilian doing daily Army PT and hitting the gym a few times a week is enough physical activity.
Something that sounds a bit more up your lane might be CID or Counter Intelligence. They're both jobs conducting investigations; the first one is criminal investigation, and the second is investigations into matters of national security. Both jobs are mentally challenging
At 32, unless you're already in great shape, you are probably over estimating your ability to recover from a physically strenuous job. For your average civilian doing daily Army PT and hitting the gym a few times a week is enough physical activity.
Something that sounds a bit more up your lane might be CID or Counter Intelligence. They're both jobs conducting investigations; the first one is criminal investigation, and the second is investigations into matters of national security. Both jobs are mentally challenging
(1)
(0)
Kelby Coffelt
Understandable and probably not the best verbiage, I suppose skills in general would have been a better term. I am certainly not looking to switch career field in the civilian world and intend to continue to promote in my current department.
As for the physical activity I don't have a comparison to what each MOS would require physically, other than a generalized understanding that 12B would likely be more physically demanding. What is the physical requirements like for each if you happen to have an example? So for a 12B are you talking expectation would be a 300 score and routinely running 10+ mile runs in a week? Any insights appreciated.
As for the physical activity I don't have a comparison to what each MOS would require physically, other than a generalized understanding that 12B would likely be more physically demanding. What is the physical requirements like for each if you happen to have an example? So for a 12B are you talking expectation would be a 300 score and routinely running 10+ mile runs in a week? Any insights appreciated.
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Kelby Coffelt 300 pt score never hurt anything. I went to field artillery AIT but we did run three times a week for 3 to 5 miles every other day for morning pt. Since 12b is a more physically demanding job I'd expect their OSUT to be worse. I only went to the NG reclass school for 12b.
However, the 37f AIT is much longer so even though the reserve side might not be as physically demanding as the reserve 12b side, I'd be willing to bet the AIT would be worse. I remember at Sill the 13Rs could smoke everyone running including the 13bs and 13fs because they were there so much longer.
If you do go 12b, I'd also weight train a little bit to improve, leg and lower back strength. Some if the stuff you will be handling is heavy af.
However, the 37f AIT is much longer so even though the reserve side might not be as physically demanding as the reserve 12b side, I'd be willing to bet the AIT would be worse. I remember at Sill the 13Rs could smoke everyone running including the 13bs and 13fs because they were there so much longer.
If you do go 12b, I'd also weight train a little bit to improve, leg and lower back strength. Some if the stuff you will be handling is heavy af.
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Kelby Coffelt by physically demanding I mean able to endure field conditions. Able to pick up and carry an extremely heavy ruck and carry it over rugged terrain in the dark for hours on end, for days on end. Explosives are heavy, real damned heavy. 12B is essentially like the Infantry version of Engineers. Everyone thinks rucking is heavy until you're four hours into an 80 pound pack cutting off the circulation in your arms, every muscle in your back on fire, and your quads feeling like jelly. Running a lot or scoring a 300 doesn't really compare, but it does help.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google