US Army Reserve Horizontal Construction Engineer (12N)

Overview

Horizontal construction engineers operate bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy equipment to move tons of earth and material for Army construction projects. They also operate tractors with dozer attachments, scoop loaders, backhoe loaders, hydraulic excavators, motorized graders, and scrapers.

Job Duties

• Analyze information on grade stakes and place 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

• Pass the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) testing.
• Required ASVAB General Maintenance (GM) score: 90.

Training

Horizontal construction engineers complete 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training followed by nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Training combines classroom instruction with field, on‑the‑job experience.

Skills

• Operation of various 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 and with hands‑on tasks.

Benefits

• Cash bonuses up to $40,000 for enlisting under certain Military Occupational Specialties.
• Education benefits: full‑tuition scholarships, merit‑based awards, allowances for books and fees, and an annual living‑expense stipend.

Future Civilian Careers

The training prepares veterans for roles with building contractors, state highway agencies, rock quarries, well drillers, and construction firms.

Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program

Graduates may be eligible for civilian employment through the Army PaYS program, which guarantees job interviews with military‑friendly employers such as:

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