MOS 21B Combat Engineer

Civilian Equivalents The following civilian occupations are similar to MOS 21B. For more information about these occupations from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, click on the civilian equivalent below. Construction and Related Workers, All Other First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Civil Engineering Technicians Construction Laborers Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Transportation and Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Credential Summary     Certification   Federal License   State License   Apprenticeship

National Certification

The following sections provide information on national certifications related to MOS 21B.

Common Certifications

There are no certifications directly related to MOS 21B. However, with additional study and experience soldiers in MOS 21B may be able to obtain certification in several occupational areas using their MOS training and experience as a foundation. For more information about the extent to which MOS 21B training and experience qualify you for these certifications, use the links below.

American Institute of Constructors (AIC)
	Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
	CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+)

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Advanced/Specialized and Other Certifications

Soldiers in MOS 21B may also be interested in the following certifications. These certifications may require additional education, training or experience. For information about the general requirements for these certifications from the certifying boards, use the links below.

American Construction Inspectors Association -- Board of Registered Construction Inspectors (ACIA)

• Registered Construction Inspector: Division I: Engineering  

Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)        

Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)

• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)    

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

• Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA)  
• Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR)  
• Certified Construction Specifier (CCS)  
• Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)  

Management Science Institute (MSI)

• Certified Construction Industry Professional
• Certified Construction Management Professional
• Certified Construction Professional
• Certified Professional Project Manager
• Certified Project Management Associate

National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)

• Associate Engineering Technologist (AT)    
• Certified Engineering Technologist (CT)    
• General Knowledge: Civil Engineering Technologist
• Transportation: Bridge Safety Inspection (Levels 1-4)  

National Private Truck Council

• Certified Transportation Professional (CTP)  

Prometric (formerly Experior Assessments)

• Construction Code Inspector

World Safety Organization (WSO)

• Certified Safety Executive (WSO-CSE)  
• Certified Safety Manager (WSO-CSM)  
• Certified Safety Specialist (WSO-CSS)  
• Certified Safety Technician (WSO-CST)  

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Federal Licensure

Common Federal Licenses

United States Department of Transportation
	Commercial Driver License (CDL)

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Advanced/Specialized and Other Federal Licenses

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State Licensure

A number of states require licensure for individuals practicing in this field in the civilian workforce. You can search for state licensure requirements on the
U.S. Department of Labor’s Licensed Occupations web site.

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Apprenticeship

Construction Laborers

Construction laborers, whose work often requires a high level of training and experience, perform a wide range of physically demanding tasks including building and highway construction, tunnel and shaft excavation, hazardous waste removal, and demolition. Many construction laborers learn their skills informally on the job, through observation, and learning from more experienced workers. However, formal apprenticeship programs usually provide more thorough preparation for jobs as construction laborers.

Local apprenticeship programs operate under guidelines established by the Laborers-Associated General Contractors of America Education and Training Fund Web site. These programs typically require at least 4,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and approximately 400 hours of classroom training. Depending on the availability of work and on local training schedules, it can take from two to four years to complete the apprenticeship.

Relevant work experience that provides construction-related job skills can reduce or eliminate many training and apprenticeship requirements. Most apprenticeship programs, local unions, and employers look favorably upon military and Job Corps service, since veterans and Job Corps graduates have already demonstrated a high level of responsibility and reliability and have gained valuable job skills through their training and experience.

Construction Equipment Operators

Construction equipment operators usually learn their skills on the job. There are a number of formal three-year operating engineer apprenticeship programs, consisting of at least three years or 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours per year of related classroom instruction, which are administered by union-management committees of the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. Training and experience operating related mobile equipment in the Armed Forces would be an asset to anyone seeking a formal apprenticeship. Because apprentices learn to operate a wider variety of machines than do other beginners, they usually have better job opportunities.

There is no centralized source of information regarding opportunities for apprenticeships. In addition to the direct links above, contact your National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors or the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services (Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training) for details about apprenticeship or other work opportunities in the construction equipment operator trade. Another potential source of information is the America’s Job Bank Web site.

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Additional Information

Commercial Truck Driver

About five percent of the nation’s professional truck drivers are trained in the military. The Professional Truck Driver Institute Web site recommends that you collect the following information in preparation for your transition (some of the following only apply to those currently driving for the military):

• A copy of your Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) (active duty) or Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET Form 2586) (veterans) transcript.
• DA Form 348, Equipment Operators Qualification Record.
• Your DD 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty.
• Your history of military assignments and duties.
• A notarized copy of your last evaluation report.
• A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if applicable.
• A letter from your last commanding officer or civilian supervisor which certifies job performance.

Construction Manager

Individuals usually advance to construction management positions after having substantial experience as construction craft workers (such as carpenters, masons, plumbers, etc.) or having worked as construction supervisors or as owners of independent specialty contracting firms overseeing workers in one or more of the construction trades. However, employers increasingly prefer individuals with both industry work experience and formal education in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering. An education and career information portal for the construction industry is located at the American Council for Construction Education Web site.

Deminer

Additional information on demining activities, including job opportunities, can be found at the James Madison University Mine Action Information Center Web site.

Explosive Demolition Workers

Information on the explosive demolition occupation can be found at the: National Demolition Association and the International Society of Explosives Engineers Web sites.

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