Combat Engineer or Infantry

[PuckChaser]

Also, to my knowledge, overseas, Echos don't go anywhere without Infantry escorting them.

Depends on what you mean by anywhere. I was in a convoy that was the 4 vehicles of an Echo Troop, and my callsign. It was a roadmove to KAF, but in an asymmetric battlespace, any roadmove could be dangerous.

 

[aesop081]

Also, to my knowledge, overseas, Echos don't go anywhere without Infantry escorting them.

If by "overseas" you mean "Afghanistan" then i cant comment but i have been overseas as an engineer and very rarely had the luxury of infantry provoding cover. 99% of the time we were out on our own and providing protection to ourselves in one way or another.

 

[Kat Stevens]

You mean with guns and everything, just like real soldiers?  Kewl.

 

[NL_engineer]

My teachings an infanteer is that the Engineers are there to enable our movement and to impede the enemy's.

In training, we call up the engineers for explosive breaches, but we clear up that point before they get there, and we're still the ones that go in and clear the room.

Also, to my knowledge, overseas, Echos don't go anywhere without Infantry escorting them.

I envy your work with explosives, but not building level 4 Concertina barriers.

Well I was on the road almost daily, and we only had infantry with us for ops, or when we were escorting them. 

 

[GnyHwy]

GO ARTY

Blowin' shit up is only a radio transmission away!

 

[Michael OLeary]

GO ARTY

Blowin' crap up is only a radio transmission away!

Unfortunately, that wasn't one of the two options this thread was about.  I suspect the original poster was imagining himself having a more hands-on role in "blowin' crap up."  This was possibly implied when he said:

The only decision I'm having difficulty making is whether I want to join as a Combat Engineer or Infantry.

But thanks for comin' out and summarizing your Corps role as radio operator.  >

 

[GnyHwy]

Mr O'Leary,

I'm glad you showed up.  I like the challenges. 

The original thread is about 5 years old and the individual who raised it is probably a Sgt by now.  Just trying to promote my own.

Perhaps you may have not needed us before but, I assure the person sending the info through the Arty Rad Op as you call it is right next to those who are fightng up front.

 

[GnyHwy]

Respectfully, I will post it in the Inf vs. Armoured vs Eng vs Arty Post.

Thanks

 

[Michael OLeary]

Regardless of his rank now, his question was about joining as a Private, and he stated his personal choices at the time.  The artillery, organizationally, may be doing great things lately, but there are very different training opportunities and duties between a Sapper, an Infantry Private and a Gunner.  I don't think he was looking to be the "humping 100-pound projectiles" part of a team to blow things up.

 

[NL_engineer]

GO ARTY

Blowin' crap up is only a radio transmission away!

If you don't mind the first few rounds missing, or being duds  ;D

 

[PanaEng]

If you don't mind the first few rounds missing, or being duds  ;D

I heard that when they were trying to test the HESCO bunker and RAM shelter in Suffield they couldn't land a 155 round on top - they had to rig the round with electric det and and set it off that way...

UBIQUE!

 

[GnyHwy]

If you don't mind the first few rounds missing, or being duds

I heard that when they were trying to test the HESCO bunker and RAM shelter in Suffield they couldn't land a 155 round on top

.

As far as first round hits. were are still working on it and as close as ever.  Especially with 777.

As far as the 2nd comment goes.  I am not sure about the test that was conducted or the range they tried it at but, if I was shooting, your Hesco would be pebbles right now.

 

[GnyHwy]

Also, I am not sure of the results nor do we ned to speak of them but, incoming velocity and mass will change the results dramatically.

Don`t get me wrong.  Hesco is the most simplictic and effective field fortification available but, if all else fails order proximity and all pers taking cover behind walls will immediately urinate themselves.

 

[1081shadow]

/bump

I'm having the same problem deciding.

Would be nice for some real Combat Engineers or infantry to give some info on which career choice would be better

 

[aesop081]

Would be nice for some real Combat Engineers or infantry to give some info on which career choice would be better

I'm sure they can tell you what their trade is like. As to which one is better, well, thats up to you ( and only you ) to decide.

 

[SeanNewman]

Please read all the threads on becoming Infantry, and then go to the Recruiting Centre.

Everyone's opinions on here will be moot if the Infantry intake for this year is full and closed.

On that note, IMO you're at least picking between the two "best" trades    Lots of chances for adventure to be had in either.

 

[cn]

/bump

I'm having the same problem deciding.

Would be nice for some real Combat Engineers or infantry to give some info on which career choice would be better

A combat engineer would likely say their trade is better, and someone in the infantry would obviously do the same.  There is tons of reading on it (even in this thread). 

Try asking more specific questions. 

No one can tell you what your preference would be, that is something you gotta figure out on your own, they can provide information but they can't make a decision for you. 

 

[1081shadow]

What I mean is like, will a combat engineer be in the front lines shooting his weapon, or just building bridges, clearing mines ect.

Do they see action as much as infantry? Can they be on their own and not have the infantry back them up ?

 

[SeanNewman]

Do they see action as much as infantry?

I am in the Infantry and as happy/loyal as I can be to my trade...and I can without pause state that in the theatre we are involved in now Combat Engineers do more than their share of heavy lifting in terms of risk and "action".

Just ask yourself what is killing the vast majority of us.  It's not bullets.

 

[George Wallace]

What I mean is like, will a combat engineer be in the front lines shooting his weapon, or just building bridges, clearing mines ect.

Do they see action as much as infantry? Can they be on their own and not have the infantry back them up ?

I am sure that if you did some reading here, you'll find that: Yes Engineers do fight in the front; Yes they do fire their weapons at times, besides building bridges and clearing mines; Yes they can see as much action as Infantry; AND Yes they can work on their own without Infantry backing them up.