Combat Engineers (21B)?
February 18, 2010 by
Filed under overseas construction jobs
Hi, I recently applied for the MOS of a Combat Engineer (21B), and by applied I meant hold the job until I arrive at MEPS in roughly 2 weeks. I am going into the Michigan Army National Guard. I guess I have a few questions. What are my chances of deployment being a 21B?
I know they say alot about building bridges, construction, route clearance, and maybe being part of a fire team. But what are the main duties of Combat Engineers in Iraq/Afghanistan today? Whats it like being a 21B overseas?
Also, if you know anything about Sapper school, would that be a good school to set as a goal to accomplish in my career? Im looking for someone to answer that is or has been a Combat Engineer and has been to Iraq/Afghanistan. Or if your in the guard like me, whats a normal drill weekend like?
ALL the information you have, I’d absolutely love to hear…Thank you very much.
God bless.
Additional Details
Ive read the go army website, im not looking for the textbook description, im looking for an actual combat engineers advice, please and thanks.
You have a pretty good chance of being deployed as a 21B. More than likely, at this stage you would go overseas as an infantryman. I am in the NCARNG and although I didnt go to Iraq, alot of my good buddies from my unit were transfered to an infantry unit and sent overseas.
Sapper school is a tough, rigorous school. If you are physically fit, and you can get a slot for Sapper school, take it. It will be challenging, but wearing the Sapper tab is highspeed as hell.
Drill depends on your unit. Sometimes you will go to the range, have an FTX, do classroom work, or clean the armory. Just depends on the time of year, CO/1SG and if your unit is overseas without you or not (as in you got back from training after they left).
21B BCT and AIT is not hard. No Army BCT/AIT is hard. INfantry is by far the worst, but still doesnt push you to a breaking point.
Good luck. 21B is a great MOS!
You have a really great chance of deploying… you would be on the field ALOT…
What are my chances of deployment being a 21B?
- almost certain if you are in for 4 years, especially if your unit hasn’t deployed yet
But what are the main duties of Combat Engineers in Iraq/Afghanistan today? Whats it like being a 21B overseas?
- you hit the main one already, route clearance, also convoy escorts, patrols, guard duty
- if your unit’s time comes up and they don’t need 21B’s then they will send you to run convoy ops and security
Sapper school
- very tough and demanding course, some say harder than Ranger school, definitely a worthy goal and not a common tab to see
Go 11X!