What is life like as a 12p (Prime power production specialist)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 03:20:24 -0400

What is life like as a 12p? (Prime power production specialist) I am about to drop my packet but before I commit to them i want to get some more info. I know their like unicorns very few of them in the Army. For this reason I am expecting less big Army BS, right ? How often do you deploy/tdy? What do you do on a normal day in garrison? How is the quality of life? Do you work late often? How long are the deployments? Whats the best duty station to get? How much $ Can you realistically make in the civilian world with this skill?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 6:50 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 06:50:35 -0400

I have known a few guys that have applied and gone through the program. They said it was a lot of work but worth the training. No one has said they wish they hadn’t done it.

Response by COL David Turk made Mar 23 at 2018 7:47 AM

COL David Turk — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:47:01 -0400

I suggest you contact one of the prime power detachments and talk to one of the NCO’s. The 249th Engineer Battalion is the only active duty unit directly assigned to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). You will receive missions in support of military operations, FEMA, and directly from the state department. One of your missions is to restore “grids”. After the “Towers” came down, Prime Power was brought in to get the lower Manhattan grid back up. Prime Power brought the grid back up in Baghdad. You will be sent on “training missions” in support of the State Department. After you get out, if you chose to work in the field that you were trained in, you will be in demand (assuming it’s not a recession at the time). On the potential down side, if you chose to stay in the unit, the units are only in a few scattered locations. However, your chance of numerous TDY’s is almost certain. When they do deploy, they are usually sent in small teams (unless it’s in response to a major event). My information is somewhat dated (retired now), but I don’t believe it’s too far off (if at all). Obviously I’m going to say go for it if you have the “smarts” (it is technically demanding), and the desire for that type of work. Good luck!

After thought. One of the specialties of the personnel is their ability to “test” systems; find the fault(s), and/or verify that there aren’t any. They don’t just “hook stuff up”.

Response by COL David Turk made Apr 18 at 2020 7:47 AM

COL David Turk — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 07:47:28 -0400

Follow up- did you make it to the 249th?