Combat Engineers

BigBear

Class of 2015
5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
698
I am currently applying to West Point. After doing some research, I have decided that I want to become a Combat Engineer.
1. If I go to West Point, will I have to major in Engineering to become a Combat Engineer
2. How does the process work in becoming a Combat Engineer? I know that graduates go to something called BOLC, but I don't really understand what that is.
3. Do you have to go to Sapper School (Sapper Leaders Course) to become a Combat Engineer?
-If so, can you attend during the Summer while at West Point?
-If so, how do you attend schools while serving in the Army? Do you simply sign up and go, or do you have to be sent there?
 
I am currently applying to West Point. After doing some research, I have decided that I want to become a Combat Engineer.
1. If I go to West Point, will I have to major in Engineering to become a Combat Engineer
2. How does the process work in becoming a Combat Engineer? I know that graduates go to something called BOLC, but I don't really understand what that is.
3. Do you have to go to Sapper School (Sapper Leaders Course) to become a Combat Engineer?
-If so, can you attend during the Summer while at West Point?
-If so, how do you attend schools while serving in the Army? Do you simply sign up and go, or do you have to be sent there?

I would caution you that you don't know what you want to be. You THINK you know. There's a long time between R Day and branch night. Keep an open mind.

Now, to answer your questions...

1. No.
2. You would select Engineers as your branch and, OML permitting, be accessed into the branch as a 2LT of engineers. You will attend whatever form of Officer Basic Course exists then. Don't get too wrapped up in BOLC. It likely won't exist in its current form by then.
3. No, but you should seek to go as an engineer officer. In my day, cadets could go. It's likely still available, but you'll need a current cadet to verify. When you're in the Army, you must be sent to schools. Units must pay to send students to schools, so it can get pretty tough to find school slots based on timing and budget. You can sometimes go while enroute to a new duty station, based on your orders.
 
I3. No, but you should seek to go as an engineer officer. In my day, cadets could go.

Yes, Sapper School is still available for cadets. It is very competitive (4 seats this upcoming summer, I believe).
 
do most cadets who branch engineering become combat engineers?
what is the range of jobs that one could land?
 
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