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Hey guys, I am currently a third of the way through my application to join the Australian Army, hopefully as a combat engineer and I was hoping there would be some of you who have experience in the field who would be able to share with me what it's like and what the job entails. Yes, I have read the job description on the defence force website but I thought I'd try find some first hand knowledge :)
Cheers
Having been in the military it is dangerous probably more dangerous then being in the infantry but you will be like them no fear. But if you like to blow things up and then rebuild them then combat engineer is for you I wish you luck in your decision and wish you the best of luck in the militaryQuote:
Originally Posted by Vopo
I spent the last two years in the NG with a combat engineer unit. They were deploying to do route clearance in Afghanistan. It's a job, depending on what kind of engineer you are, that is rewarding and potentially dangerous.
In the US military there are two types of engineer units, those that kick in doors and blow shit up, and those that build roads, bases etc. I was with a kick in doors and blow shit up unit, hence the route clearance mission they were assigned to. It's a good job, depending on what you want out of your military experience.
It's also a line unit, so do not expect luxuries that are afforded rear units. Do you have any specific questions about the job?
Hey I thought I responded to this but obviously not
Thank you both for your answers :)
@Serpa thank you, I hope to have a long career :D
@Brendan With the door kicking and such, is that part of bomb finding? Do you do eod stuff? Do you get into firefights?
The Australian army is small so not many units see combat, thats why I chose combat engineers.
Kicking in doors, route clearance, BIP's on IED's found (Blow in Place), getting blown up, firefights if the enemy sees it a fitting situation, long ass boring days of driving 4 miles per hour for 30 hours, etc. It's all part of the unit that I was with.
Most of the BIP's are done by EOD specialists, I assume the Australian military would be set up the same. They are typically attached to a regular unit. Hey, if the rollers on the front of your vehicle set off the IED I consider it a BIP :) so your sort of EOD.
Firefights are common, most are mounted it depends on your mission set, meaning only weapons mounted on the vehicles are used in the firefight. Some firefights come from complex attacks, or an IED used to destroy or disable a vehicle and then an ensuing firefight. Those are different and a ton of factors involve reaction to the contact.