Army Horizontal Construction Engineer (12N)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the information on grade stakes and placing them.
• Drive bulldozers, road graders 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.

Requirements

• Interest in joining the Army.
• Age 17 to 34 years.
• Meet height/weight requirements.
• No tattoos on hands, face, or above the neck (ring tattoos are acceptable).
• No history of a felony level offense.
• No major medical procedures that would prohibit service.

Qualifications

Job training for horizontal construction engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Training includes classroom instruction and field on‑the‑job experience.

Skills

• Operation of different types of construction and rough‑terrain equipment.
• Maintenance and repair of equipment.
• Identification of soil types and placement of grade stakes.
• Interest in operating heavy construction equipment.
• Preference for working outdoors.
• Interest in working with your hands.
• Required ASVAB General Maintenance (GM) score: 90.

Benefits

• Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time.
• Cash bonuses up to $40,000 for enlisting under certain MOSs.
• Education benefits: full‑tuition, merit‑based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, and an annual living‑expense stipend.
• Future civilian career opportunities with building contractors, state highway agencies, rock quarries, well drillers, and construction firms.