cmbt engr vs inf

[frodo]

so i understand getting into the army at all in april will be a task in itself.

which is why ive decided to apply as a combat engineer, my question is though, would i still be able to go on patrols while on tour or do engineers stay on base for the entire tour?

also, on the cf site it says inf can qualify for specialty training, in particular airborne, can an engineer do this training? since this just gets me all sorts of riled up when i think about it.

also how hard is it to qualify for EOD and do they operate along side CSOR?

 

[Sapplicant]

Their secondary role is to fight as infantry.



Edit to add:

I'm not in the forces, nor am I a recruiter. I'm just stating that based on the job description found on the recruiting website, Forces.ca.
I think it's safe to say that engineers spend more than enough time "outside the wire", considering how many have been lost in recent years, may they rest in peace.

 

[frodo]

Their secondary role is to fight as infantry.

i understand what this means. but in reality, how often does that happen? are there engineers in infantry platoons?

what im really asking is what does a week on tour look like for a combat engineer, compared to an infantryman

 

[Sapplicant]

I edited my first post. I'm sure someone with TI will be along shortly. I'm not an expert, and have yet to be merit listed.

 

[MikeL]

Combat Engineers are very busy on tour, at least from what I saw. Some were attached to Cbt Teams/Coys on Ops, others were building up FOBs, etc. Also saw some rotate through the TOC working in the ESCC.  I'm sure theres tons of info and a lot more detail into what Engineers do on roto are on this forum, just need to search or wait untill one of the Engineers on the board sees this.

All trades can attend the Basic Para Course

If you want to work with CSOR, you would have to apply for the unit as either an Operator or Support.

Here's some articles on Canadian Egnineers in Afghanistan
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/81232.0
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lfwa/tf309/feature_eroc.asp
http://www.comfec-cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2009/12/07b-eng.asp

 

[frodo]

I edited my first post. I'm sure someone with TI will be along shortly. I'm not an expert, and have yet to be merit listed.

thanks for you input, im starting to feel like i'll never get in!

 

[Michael OLeary]

which is why ive decided to apply as a combat engineer, my question is though, would i still be able to go on patrols while on tour or do engineers stay on base for the entire tour?

You will accompany the infantry if you are tasked to do so, that depends on the Force structure (i.e., are engineers assigned to the element doing the patrolling), the task requirement (is there a need for an engineer?), and the chance that you get picked.  It happens, don't plan your life based on it happening to you.

also, on the cf site it says inf can qualify for specialty training, in particular airborne, can an engineer do this training? since this just gets me all sorts of riled up when i think about it.

Every trade has specialist training course, chances are always slim of being the right guy at the right time and place to get on course.  Getting on a specialty course that primarily goes to other trades is it even harder to achieve.  Not impossible, just not something you can't plan for - right place, right time, and on the top of the Sergeant Major's list for a good opportunity.

also how hard is it to qualify for EOD and do they operate along side CSOR?

EOD is an engineer specialty, one of our resident Sappers can answer to the likelihood of actually getting it. 

Engineers can join CSOR.

Spend some time searching the site for your specific and related questions to find more info that has already been posted by experienced people.

 

[Alea]

thanks for you input, im starting to feel like i'll never get in!

Oh boy?! Really?!
How can you get "discouraged" based on a few answers on the forum?
Before saying that, I suggest you go read some of Sapplicant's story and think again about "being discouraged".

And for your info, some people on the forum and in general have been waiting for a long time to get in the CF so hang in there and follow your dream in order to reach it if that is really what you want.

Alea

 

[frodo]

Combat Engineers are very busy on tour, at least from what I saw. Some were attached to Cbt Teams/Coys on Ops, others were building up FOBs, etc. Also saw some rotate through the TOC working in the ESCC.  I'm sure theres tons of info and a lot more detail into what Engineers do on roto are on this forum, just need to search or wait untill one of the Engineers on the board sees this.

All trades can attend the Basic Para Course

If you want to work with CSOR, you would have to apply for the unit as either an Operator or Support.

Read this as well
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/81232.0
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lfwa/tf309/feature_eroc.asp
http://www.comfec-cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2009/12/07b-eng.asp

awesome, can you choose whether you want to be on a combat team or do construction/other stuff? or atleast make it look like you should be in one of those areas?

when you say all trades can attend the basic para course, this doesnt mean you would be "airbourne" would it?

thanks for the links ill check them out in a bit, as im at work right now and we're about to get busy again.

 

[Michael OLeary]

You can say what type of employment within your trade that you would like to have, and you will be sent where the Army needs you.

All trades can attend the basic para course; but not everyone gets to go just because they want to.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

EOD is an engineer specialty, one of our resident Sappers can answer to the likelihood of actually getting it. 

If the OP is thinking about going PRes it is very very hard to get on this course.....the TP actually stats to the effect Reservists need not apply...

 

[MikeL]

awesome, can you choose whether you want to be on a combat team or do construction/other stuff? or atleast make it look like you should be in one of those areas?

when you say all trades can attend the basic para course, this doesnt mean you would be "airbourne" would it?

thanks for the links ill check them out in a bit, as im at work right now and we're about to get busy again.

I'm not an Engineer so I have no idea how it works for new Sappers posted to a CER and where they start out, etc  Usually you have no say in what you do, especially as a brand new troop.

When I say all trades can do Basic Para, that is what I mean..  You can attend the course, if you pass you are Basic Parachutist Qualified and wear the red maple leaf wings.  The only pers on Airborne status in the Regular Army are those in the Jump Companies, which are in the 3rd Battalion of an Infantry Regiment. Engineers are not in the Jump Coys, and I'm not sure if the CERs have any pers on a casual jumper status and get attached the the Jump Coys for Excercises and jump in, etc.

Oh and don't count on getting the jump course, at least not for awhile. It isn't the easiest course to get onto, as there isn't to many courses run each year. I've been waiting 5 years and counting to get a spot on that course.

 

[Flips13]

When i was with 3vp para company, it was course loaded as > CSOR (Any type including clerks) > ppl in the para company > than if theres room bring someone from the outside. I had a Engineer on my course from 1 CER I guess he scored well enough to come on it. I'm sure he had to beat out alot of people to get a position on it.

 

[frodo]

Interesting stuff guys thanks a lot.

wondering what factors affect your ability to qualify for eod training? experience? good record, etc?

 

[Towards_the_gap]

....ability to tie your own shoes?

Your likelihood to get on an EOD course will depend on time in, whether you want it or not, and whether your troop leadership trusts you enough to not make a fool of yourself on the course.

As for sappers outside the wire, as -Skeletor- alluded to, on the last tour we, as a squadron, were both inside and outside the wire. My section spent the majority of time on patrols, outside the wire, and living at a COP, attached integral to a rifle platoon.

You cannot choose if you will do this or build camps. Where and how you work is dictated by the ESCC according to where the engineers are needed most. And there are never enough of us.

Having said that, I, as a section commander, would have no problems NOT taking someone on patrol if they were not up to snuff. Where we worked was that dangerous that I could not afford to have someone junk out on the ground with me.

 

[frodo]

so essentially, if you aren't a tool, you have seniority and you're lucky enough, you can train to become EOD?

also i was wondering, is this a decent trade to go into? im interested in it and i want to go into it, but i need to know if I'm up for it.

 

[lethalLemon]

so essentially, if you aren't a tool, you have seniority and you're lucky enough, you can train to become EOD?

also i was wondering, is this a decent trade to go into? im interested in it and i want to go into it, but i need to know if I'm up for it.

Every trade is a decent trade if you're interested in it.

 

[Towards_the_gap]

Well, it's a bit more than just not being a tool. You can be the most switched on soldier in your unit, and still bomb (pardon the pun) out on your EOD course. Some just don't have the aptitude for it, no matter how hard they try.

And what do you mean by trade? Combat Engineer?

Sure it's decent. By no means easy, nor is it for everyone. Well tell a lie.. most people can do it judging by the quality of new troops who turn up at the regiment, but not many can do it well.

The sheer breadth of what you could possibly find yourself doing in the engineers normally is the big seller. On tour, you could spend one day doing carpentry, one day doing high risk search, one day doing explosive demolitions, one day in gunfights...etc etc.

 

[frodo]

do you know what the dropout rate is?

being good at what i do is a must, where i come from youre either the best, or you aren't even on the radar....

im really excited to apply once april hits, would you say the day to day life of a combat engineer on tour is more interesting than that of an infantryman? based on your opinion of course.

thanks.

 

[daftandbarmy]

do you know what the dropout rate is?

being good at what i do is a must, where i come from youre either the best, or you aren't even on the radar....

im really excited to apply once april hits, would you say the day to day life of a combat engineer on tour is more interesting than that of an infantryman? based on your opinion of course.

thanks.

Here's a hint: if you want to be a Combat Engineer you need to be good at 'searching'. Look around, there's lots of info out there like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23SfrmqdL8Y