Sergeant First Class Osborne

Overview:

Horizontal construction engineers use bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy equipment to move tons of earth and material to complete construction projects for the Army.

They are also responsible for operating tractors with dozer attachments, scoop loaders, backhoe loaders, hydraulic excavators, motorized graders and scrapers.

Job Duties:

- Analyze the information on grade stakes and placing them
- Drive bulldozers, roadgraders and other heavy equipment to level earth
- Clear, grub, strip, excavate, backfill, stockpile and push scraper with tractor crawler
- Cut and spread fill material with scraper
- Transport heavy construction equipment with tractor-trailer
- Assist in performance of combat engineer missions

Training:

Job training for horizontal construction engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field with on-the-job instructions.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

- Operation of different types of construction and rough terrain equipment
- Maintenance and repair of equipment
- Identification of soil types and placement of grade stakes

Helpful Skills:

- Interest in operating heavy construction equipment
- Preference for working outdoors
- Interest in working with your hands

Compensation:

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time.

Overview: Full and part-time positions available

The technical engineer supervises or participates in construction site development in areas such as technical investigation, surveys, drafts and construction plans/specifications. They conduct land surveys, make maps and prepare detailed plans for construction projects.

Job Duties:

- Perform field and laboratory tests on construction materials, surveys and drafts
- Draw topographic maps and charts using Computer Aided Drafting systems and software
- Conduct geodetic and construction surveys and results utilizing Automated Integrated Survey Instruments and Global Positioning Survey Technology
- Draw diagrams for wiring and plumbing of structures
- Provide technical support for vertical and horizontal construction projects
- Build scale models of land areas that show hills, lakes, roads and buildings

Training:

Job training for technical engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 17 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field with on-the-job instructions.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

- Surveying and drafting techniques
- Aerial photo interpretation
- Architectural and structural drawing

Helpful Skills:

- Ability to convert ideas into drawings
- Interest in maps and charts
- Working with Computer Aided Drafting technology
- Interest in algebra, geometry and trigonometry

Compensation:

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time.

Education Benefits:

In the Army, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses.