The Engineer Officer is one that holds responsibilities and duties regarding anything along the lines of engineering within the Army. Those who are a part of the Corps of Engineers are under the Combat Arms Branch. Engineer officers provide combat support and take care of organizing, training and developing troops for combat. Additionally, this type of officer constructs and builds structures as well as develops civil works programs.
Those that hope to be a part of the Engineer Regiment must possess strong Army Values, showcase leader qualities, hold an engineer doctrine and be willing to continuously grow and educate themselves over time. DA Pam 600-3 is where the qualifications for this branch are listed, including entry and development procedures.
The Army 12A Engineer Officer Duties and Responsibilities
The 12A Engineer Officer provides general engineering knowledge to every Army activity that he or she is associated with. Additional duties of a 12A Engineer Officer includes (but are not limited to):
- Countermobility and Survivability
- Emplace Demolitions
- Neutralize the Enemy
- Use of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle
- Construction of roads and buildings
- Bridge Construction
- Rescue and Search Operations
- Training in terms of Engineering Technologies
Engineer Officers can serve in a wide arrangement of duty assignments. They can be small unit leaders, staff officers, instructors, TAC Officers, and much more. They can also serve in deployable and non-deployable units.
Why Become a 12A Engineer Officer in the Army
Many individuals find the combat and war fighting side of being a 12A Engineer Officer attractive. However attractive this may sound, there are other reasons why becoming a 12A Engineer Officer is beneficial to you, as well as the environment.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have an environmental mission that they embark on to restore and focus on revitalizing the world’s environment as a whole. These officers set out to support and manage many different environmental programs through cleaning and removing hazardous waste from wetlands and other areas. Additionally, these officers help endangered species to survive after being exposed to the most traumatizing and dangerous conditions. Some programs that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are apart of include:
- Formerly Used Defense Sites
- Environmental Stewardship
- EPA Superfund
- Ecosystem Restoration
- Formerly Utilized Sites Action Program
The environmental mission of this Corps includes not only regulating and cleaning up of certain areas, but also educating and helping others understand how these efforts help and affect the planet that we live on.
Final Thoughts
Not only are Army 12A Engineer Officers a part of the combat and war side of the military, but they are also a positive link to helping out the environment as a whole. Are you a 12A Engineer Officer or a veteran to the Army and held this particular position? If so, please share your experiences and expertise relating to this career field.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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My last comment was a highly positive one; in this one, I need to throw just a bit of the negative side. It is not negative towards Army 12A Engineers, but against the ones who control their movements and work.
I have lived in Puerto Rico for 3 years and the island of Vieques at one time was almost completely controlled by the Army. They deserted it but left many remnants of their being there. Many unexploded bombs are found day by day.
It is my opinion that the U.S. Army should have teams of these engineers on that island getting it completely safe for civilians.
Any thoughts on this?
That’s pretty crazy, Greg. Hopefully, they will send in some Engineers to fix things.
The Army Corps of Engineers is one of the most important to the infrastructure of the Army. The MOSs under this field provide services vital not just to the military, but the civilian world as well. Disposing of hazardous materials benefits EVERYONE! The building of roads and bridges make travel and transportation more seamless and safer. And of course, being able to neutralize and disarm the enemy is at times better than engaging the enemy in combat. Allowing a more peaceful end to situations with as few casualties (civilian and military) as possible.
These posts would be great for young people to read. They may give them ideas for goals for later life.
The Army Corp of Engineers handle many aspects of resources in the United States that many people do not realize they handle. I consider an area that I used to live at…Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. This lake has a dam that supplies almost all the electricity to St Louis, Missouri. It is all managed by the Army Corp of Engineers.
If a young person has a desire to be an engineer, but does not have the funding to go to college, it makes great sense to join the Army, follow the protocol and raise to where they can become a 12A Engineer Officer.