Calling all Army engineers

Are there any fellow Army engineers out there currently serving or retired, specifically 21B/12B? I'm just curious to hear some experience and basic details of your service and maybe some advice for a newer combat engineer.

My father was a combat engineer in the US Army, and served in both Korea and Vietnam. Unfortunately, he passed away just over 12 years ago.

I do have several hundred slides scanned in from the pictures he took during both conflicts, they make for great insight into the things he did and saw...

My son just promoted to 1LT of IN. His wife is completing EN Basic Officer Leader Course with a follow-on to Bragg.

What do you want to know?

majormadmax said:

My father was a combat engineer in the US Army, and served in both Korea and Vietnam. Unfortunately, he passed away just over 12 years ago.

I do have several hundred slides scanned in from the pictures he took during both conflicts, they make for great insight into the things he did and saw...

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Wow. I bet he had some stories to tell!

toddnjoyce said:

My son just promoted to 1LT of IN. His wife is completing EN Basic Officer Leader Course with a follow-on to Bragg.

What do you want to know?

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Tell him congrats!
I really just want to know what I can do to become a more effective Soldier and eventually, a leader. I'm currently an E4 Specialist in the reserves and I'm working on getting schooling and other opportunities to get promoted and lead. I've been in for about a year now but we've only done our monthly training and AT and deployment opportunities are slim. I don't have specific questions per se at the moment, but really just want to know about their overall experience so far and what to expect.

I appreciate y'all's responses!

You have a lot of opportunity ahead of you, just be sure to keep an eye out for it and don't let it pass you by. I was active duty for most of my career, and saw far too many people miss out on chances to better themselves through education or experience. The military helped me get undergrad and graduate degrees, I figured if they were willing to pay I was willing to play! Of course, it took a lot of work and commitment to accomplish such goals, but they were well worth it and have served me well both during my military career and afterward as a contractor.

I am envious as I remember life as an E-4, and while that seems like eons ago (it has been well over three decades) it also seems like it was yesterday. I am sure you've heard a lot of old guys tell you that the time will fly by, so just add me to that list. Just be sure to grab every opportunity and adventure that comes your way, so one day you too can be one of those old guys with great war stories to tell!

Cheers! M2

sonuvaTXgun said:

Wow. I bet he had some stories to tell!



Tell him congrats!
I really just want to know what I can do to become a more effective Soldier and eventually, a leader. I'm currently an E4 Specialist in the reserves and I'm working on getting schooling and other opportunities to get promoted and lead. I've been in for about a year now but we've only done our monthly training and AT and deployment opportunities are slim. I don't have specific questions per se at the moment, but really just want to know about their overall experience so far and what to expect.

I appreciate y'all's responses!

Click to expand...

As a recently retired Air Force officer who spent the last six years as a JTAC qualified Air Liaison Officer at every level from BDE to Corps, the best thing you can do is execute to the Task Conditions and Standards in everything you do.

Give you 100% whether it’s pushing a broom or setting charges to blow a bridge. Do everything with a sense of purpose; own it from beginning to end. Your opportunities are only as limited as you let them be.

Be humble, approachable, and credible. As an E4, that may mean just showing up on time, in the correct uniform, with all your crap in one sock. Be a professional. If your expected to know something, don’t just know ‘it’. Know why ‘it’ is important.

Find the guy (or girl, now...after my time) with the Ranger tab. Ask them what they learned about themselves at Ranger. Ask them what they felt the most important thing they learned at Ranger was. Listen to them.

When someone needs help, help them while teaching them how to fish. Treat your peers and subordinates how you want to be treated. You’ll get as good as you give.

Understand how to really read a 5-para OPORD, understand your task org and whether you’re supported or supporting. Think about what implied tasks come out of that OPORD or FRAGO.

Listen to understand and listen more than you speak. When you speak, form the thought before you engage the mouth.

There are many times where we get to embrace the suck, just because. Sometimes it’s because your ‘leader’ made a poor decision. Don’t bitch about it, be professional and accomplish the task.

There’s plenty of stupid to go around, and understand while your doing the task, you ‘leader’ just might be getting some education on why it’s stupid for him to be using your time so poorly.

Don’t chase schools for schools sake; at some point you have to implement what you’ve learned in the school. AAS is all fun and games (not really) but if you don’t have helo support routinely at your home unit, how do you maintain the knowledge and skills you gained at AAS?

Oh yeah. One weekend/month, two weeks a year isn’t enough to uphold the highest standards. You’re going to have to invest some personal time in your endeavor. And your civilian buddies/college bros/whatever that think your a p***y for not partying at every opportunity, or for not being the DD every time they want to party, they don’t have your best interest at heart.

Finally, you’ve made a commitment to protect and defend the very basis of what makes our nation unique and special. Honor that commitment each and every day until you’re released from that commitment. It’s a heavy responsibility . Thank you for taking it on. Thank you for being a 1%er. Be a warrior, honor those warriors before you. Leave those who follow you with the memory of a warrior.

I apologize for the late reply. I've been out of pocket for a while.

Thank you both for your replies. That's some excellent information/advice! I've heard advice of many aspects from different people but I always get something good since everyone has varying experience. I appreciate the time and I will be keeping it in mind. Thanks again!