Double check to make sure that being able to choose your duty station is correct. I'm guessing its not.

I was a combat engineer (21B) while in the service. You wont come across a welding torch accept for maybe one when you get your vehicle worked on in the shop. You will become very aquantied with C4, Mines, IEDs and other things that can go boom as well as various barracades and such. There is the 21C Combat Engineer that works on bridges as well as other duties. You might come close to a welding torch there but most of the bridge sections are prefab.

I know the Army used to have a Metal Worker MOS, 44B which probably has converted to a 21-series MOS by now.

I personally think you'll have a more interesting time as a 21B unless you just have to work with metal.

Welcome aboard from another sailor-turned-soldier. I liked it so much that I stayed in the Army for 21 years. Went from underwater demolitions to Airborne Infantry after a 14 year break in service.

You understand that you'll have to attend Warrior Transition Course (WTC) which is a basic training for prior service. Now in my case I was so good that I didn't have to attend! (The course wasn't even in existence yet)

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.

i wasn't holding my breath on picking a duty station. i more or less just wanted to have a good idea on where i am likely to be stationed. any ideas on that? as for having to work with metal, it isn't at all a must have i just figured i would stick to what i was good at. i did alot of bridge work in the Seabees as well, especially the prefab deals. anyways thanks for the input, i appreciate it friend.

Yes, I was told i would have to attend the WTC. it would be no problem, I was told it was only 4-5 weeks so no biggy. I will have to research the 21B MOS, I'm still new to all this alpha-numeric MOS thing. I understand the concept I'm just not use to it yet. I do want to thank you for your years of service as well as your advise. I hope to have your good fortune so I to will be able to contribute as many years to my country.

does anyone have an answer to my original question?

a) My brother was a combat engineer. Seems most end up in Germany, and do a lot of field training. With the conflict going strong you will most likely be in a desert looking for IED's pretty soon I suspect no matter where you are stationed. Have you ever wanted to be a paratrooper? If you want it and could get that (and you probably can) I would do that. It would narrow your duty stations to Bragg, Italy, Benning, and maybe a couple of others and Alaska.
You would not regret it.
As for b) again it is a personal choice but heavy equipment operator seems a decent choice.

Seabee,

you could be stationed anywhere in the world. Even at that you could be assigned to say Ft. Benning & two months after you get there be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan or any place else that is in support of the Global War on Terrorism.. With the new president I wouldn't even want to venture a guess what will happen with the military. He's already cutting funding & in the middle of a war.

As far as I know Engineers are located where ever there's an Army presence. You could get the duty station of your choice I'm sure.

I don't think there are any Engineers on this site. If there are they might be deployed. I'm sorry I don't know anything about it. I've never had any dealings with them.

Getting your jump wings is a good idea regardless what duty assignment you're in.

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.