What Does a Technical Engineer (12T) Do?

A technical engineer is categorized as Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 12T. They conduct land surveys and make maps. It's a key role in any Army construction project.

An Army technical engineer has a more lengthy training period than a lot of other military jobs because there's an immense amount of highly technical information these soldiers need to learn. This role is responsible for overseeing construction site development, which includes surveying, drafting and creating construction plans and specs.

Technical Engineer (12T) Duties & Responsibilities

This job has a variety of duties, which include detailed responsibilities such as the following:

• Performing field and lab tests on construction materials, surveys and drafts
• Drawing topographical maps and charts using CAD (computer-aided drafting) systems and software
• Drawing diagrams for electrical wiring and plumbing in structures
• Providing technical support for both horizontal and vertical Army construction projects
• Using GPS technology to conduct geodetic and construction surveys
• Building scale models to assist with the planning of construction projects

Technical Engineer (12T) Salary

Total compensation for this position includes food, housing, special pay, medical, and vacation time. If you enlist under certain MOS codes in the Army, you may also be eligible for certain cash bonuses of up to $40,000 if the technical engineer job is considered one of the Army's Jobs in Demand.

You may also be able to earn education benefits, such as scholarships to cover the full cost of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and money for books and fees.

Education, Training & Certification

This job requires candidates to be able to perform duties that include the following:

• Testing: There's no Department of Defense security clearance required for this job, but you'll need a score of at least 101 on the skilled technical area (ST) of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tets.
• Training: If you choose this MOS, you'll spend the requisite ten weeks in Basic Combat Training (otherwise known as boot camp), and 17 weeks at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). As with all Army jobs, training will be divided between classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Your training will ensure you know surveying and drafting techniques, how to interpret aerial photography, and the principles of architectural and structural drawing.
• Other requirements: Normal color vision is required (no colorblindness) and you'll need to demonstrate that you've earned credit for two years of high school math, including algebra, and one year of general science.

Technical Engineer (12T) Skills & Competencies

You might be a good fit for this role if you possess some or all of the following skills or abilities:

• Abstract thinking: Can convert abstract ideas into comprehensive maps or drawings
• Maps interest: Have an interest and talent for creating maps and charts to explain information
• CAD knowledge: Know how to use CAD programs
• Math ability: Have an interest in and affinity for algebra, geometry, and trigonometry

Job Outlook

Since you'll be trained on CAD and other highly technical systems, after serving as MOS 12T, you'll be prepared for a host of civilian construction, architecture, and engineering jobs.

Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program

Soldiers interested in being a technical engineer outside of the military may be eligible for civilian employment by enrolling in the Army PaYS program.

The PaYS program is a recruitment option that guarantees a job interview with military friendly employers that are looking for experienced and trained Veterans to join their organization. You can find out more online at the Army PaYS Program site. Some of the many companies that participate in this program include the following:

• AT&T, Inc.
• Hewlett-Packard Company
• Kraft Foods Global, Inc.
• Sears Holdings Corporation
• Time Customer Service, Inc.
• Walgreen Co.

Work Environment

This is not a job for someone who doesn't like working outdoors; you'll spend a lot of time in the field, likely in all kinds of weather. And you'll need to be able to meet the Army's heavy strength requirements.

Work Schedule

This position typically has a full-time work schedule.

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