I’m currently finishing up 15T training I want to go 12B after my contract ends. How do you like the MOS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:15:09 -0500

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 10:46 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:46:29 -0500

Awesome MOS. I've been a 12B for almost 9 years. The training is fun, but not many deployments available for 12Bs. Also, you should consider an MOS that can get you a good job civilian side....like 12T, which is a technical engineer.

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made Feb 27 at 2018 3:38 PM

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:38:39 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member 12B is a demanding job especially if you're assigned to a combat engineer type unit (typically SAPPER companies, MACs, or some parts of BEB). It's fun if you like infantry type stuff but also like demolition. It's hard work and you'd be hoofin' it a lot. I always (jokingly) say that 12Bs are one step above 11Bs as we clear the way for them. Except for 12C (Bridge Crewmember) 12B is the only combat engineer MOS the rest are primarily construction or technical based. If you have any questions about the specifics shoot me a message.

Response by SP5 Gary Broadway made Feb 27 at 2018 3:46 PM

SP5 Gary Broadway — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 15:46:04 -0500

Awesome

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 27 at 2018 7:37 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 19:37:45 -0500

I enjoyed most aspects of it, but there are few to no technical skills transferable to the civilian world unless you go in to a field involving demolitions.

Response by CPL Brian Green made Mar 3 at 2018 6:30 PM

CPL Brian Green — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 18:30:58 -0500

Lot of time in the field

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 1:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 13:06:50 -0500

I agree with you SPC Cody Voye

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 7:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 19:57:17 -0500

18 years ago, it was hard work. I would expect it still is. A key task is breaching, which is high-risk. Nobody will have the foggiest idea what your job is about (I have had to explain to a retired O-6 what Combat Engineers do - he had inaccurate ideas. Most people, including other Soldiers, will think that you build bridges or something along those lines. 12B back in the 90s and early 2000s was effectively infantry + landmines and explosive demolitions).
However, I also worked with the most determined, laid-back but very responsible and high-character people I met in the Army. The first Combat Engineer unit I was assigned to was as a medic (91B, I think now it is a 91W, maybe) in my first term of enlistment. A few years later, I re-classed to 12B, partly on the basis of having been impressed with the culture among 12Bs when I was a medic. It doesn't transfer skills directly to the civilian business world other than small unit leadership. 18 years ago, it involved working as an attachment to the infantry quite often, which gave E-5s and E-6s an opportunity to see parts of the planning process that they wouldn't have seen in most other MOSes. But it is definitely _hard work_.
Here's a cool video about the Best Sapper Competition (which didn't exist as a competition until after I got out, went the school itself though): https://youtu.be/b_36O2e0LAM

Best Sapper 2016

Video from the 10th Annual Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, MO 17-20 April 2016 http://www.wood.army.mil/sapper/bsc/supporting%20documents/page-...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 4:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:41:50 -0500

Thank you for all of your input I definitely want to see where the mos I am in takes me first I just want to keep my mind open!

Response by SPC William Freden made Mar 6 at 2018 5:29 PM

SPC William Freden — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 17:29:00 -0500

Loved it

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 7:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 19:48:16 -0500

If you do get the chance to change your MOS and get assigned to a Route Clearance or Sapper unit you're deployments will be fun. You'll do a lot with explosives and laying down C-wire

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 8:03 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 08:03:44 -0400

Most of your time as a 12b will be consumed by mowing grass, picking up garbage, sweeping and mopping the company, cleaning latrines etc. Only a few months out the the year you will actually do your job unless your deployed. Basically no transferable skills or certificates to the civilian world. It does have quick promotions and low points though. That's it for now hope you found this helpful.