Combat Engineer

Overview
As a member of the military, Combat Engineers ensure that troops can live, move and fight on the battlefield. They also perform construction and maintenance tasks, operate vehicles and equipment in support of engineer operations, and maintain field installations and facilities.

Responsibilities

Construct and maintain roads, airfields, heliports, bridges, causeways, rafts, permanent and temporary buildings

Construct field defences and obstacles

Provide drinking water by testing, purifying and filtering local supplies and by constructing local distribution systems

Detect and dispose of mines and bulk explosives

Demolish roads and bridges, and lay minefields to prevent enemy movement

Maintain and operate engineering equipment, including weapons, vehicles, heavy equipment and supplies

Provide engineer communications on the battlefield

Work Environment
Combat Engineers experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with work in the field. Qualified Combat Engineers may apply to Combat Diver Training. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career.

However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part‑time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full‑time employment.

Entry Plans
No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation. The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

Training
The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades and ensures that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Construction of field defences and obstacles

Construction of roads, airfields and helicopter landing sites

Construction of rafts and bridges

Radio communications for combat arms operations

Mathematics, military writing, basic military organization, and military history

Personal camouflage and camouflage of section positions

Operation of troop weapons and section defensive tasks and procedures

Basic procedures of rigging and firing of explosive charges, mine laying and booby‑trapping

Use and care of section tools and safety equipment

Combat Engineers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on‑the‑job training, including:

Combat diver

Soils analyst

Explosive ordnance disposal

Instructional techniques

As they progress in their career, Combat Engineers who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

Radio communications — field operations

Water supply — advanced

Power boat operator

Heavy equipment operator

Part Time Options
This position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Army Base or armoury in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move.

However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Benefits
Reserve Force members are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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