I recently enlisted for the Marines as a CP contract 1300 (Combat Engineer). What is the school like?

Joshua Hagenbarth — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 11:10:41 -0500

I leave for basic training this coming Monday but don’t have to many questions reguarding that. However, I can’t find many people who have been active duty combat engineer. I was wondering if anyone can elaborate on the school or possible station areas. Thank you!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 2:47 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:47:40 -0500

Joshua Hagenbarth In Boot Camp, listen, observe, and be squared away at all times. I will tag a few Marine Combat Engineers and an Engineering Officer, to see if they can provide you with information about the school.

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member, Capt Private RallyPoint Member, LCpl Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2018 6:31 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 18:31:50 -0500

As a combat engineer myself, the school house consists of about 5 sections.... the first is a tool introduction, then leads into construction basics and concrete work. This part is pretty dry and slow, but pay attention because these are the fundamentals of the school house. After that you will begin bridging, and demolition work/ sweeping with medal detectors for mines/ieds. The school is majority of hands on, but big boy rules apply, if you struggle ask.

Response by LCpl Cameron Doscher made Jan 18 at 2018 2:25 PM

LCpl Cameron Doscher — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:25:19 -0500

You'll go to courthouse bay NC for your MOS School you'll learn Construction demolition explosives landmines installation removal booby traps Timing Systems for detonation all sorts of cool crap that's about 3 months long after you've completed MCT at Camp Pendleton. Our only choices for Duty stations where Camp Lejeune East Coast Camp Pendleton West Coast Okinawa Japan or Hawaii and they'll be picking for you hit me up if you have anymore questions man

Response by Cpl Ryan Balgoyen made Jan 18 at 2018 3:00 PM

Cpl Ryan Balgoyen — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:00:02 -0500

Okinawa, cherry point, and pendleton are your stations after E school. School it’s self is pretty easy, more layed back, Cpl Timmothy got it right on the money as far as what you will be doing.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 2:13 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:13:16 -0500

Cpl Timmothy hit it right on the money. I graduate from this school in 3 days. It’s simple pay attention and ask questions.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 7:59 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 07:59:20 -0500

I’m currently at the Combat Engineer School. It’s in Courthouse Bay on Camp Lejuene. School is very brief, only 2 months long. You’ll learn things such as Airfield Damage Repair, Woodframe Construction, Obstacles and things like that. Towards your second month, you’ll begin Military Explosives and Metal Detectors. You get Liberty every weekend starting Friday evening, but you have formations at 23:45, so no going out in town late at night. That’s the down and dirty for u right there.

Response by Cpl Robert Crawford made Feb 3 at 2018 7:50 AM

Cpl Robert Crawford — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 07:50:44 -0500

School was/is at Court House Bay, Camp Lejeune NC. As for duty stations ... anywhere!
Combat Engineers serve in support units on every base there are Marines, from FSSG (Fleet Service Support Group), to CEB (Combat Engineer Battalion) with the "Grunt" to MWSS (Marine Wing Support Squadrons).
I served in both FSSG and MWSS units during my 7+ years before a Medical Discharge.

Response by Sgt Bradley Rittman made Mar 8 at 2018 8:49 PM

Sgt Bradley Rittman — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 20:49:36 -0500

Okinawa, main land Japan, West Coast and East Coast USA.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2018 6:36 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 18:36:24 -0400

Contract 1300 does not mean "Combat Engineer" it means you could be any kind of engineer, whatever they feel like putting you in. Most people don't actually get combat engineer. Probably end up being a pog water dog

Response by Sgt Christopher Tuvell made Jun 23 at 2021 8:58 PM

Sgt Christopher Tuvell — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:58:29 -0400

1300 field has many different jobs. There's Heavy Equipment operators, combat engineer, LSB. You won't know which one you will get until you're VERY close to graduation.