Engineer

Description

Military engineers are professional servicemen who serve in engineer units of land forces, as well as in all types of military, special troops and subdivisions.

It is known that as early as in the 2nd century BC, creators and operators of military machines (babans, ballistas, catapults, etc.) were called engineers. Pioneer detachments building  reinforcements, installers of landmines, constructors of bridges and roads were also called engineers. There were engineering squads in Tigran the Great’s armies.

The word "engineer" translates from French as "creative."

As a rule, it is the engineering subdivisions that being the war and continue their work long after its end. They also have a great deal of work in time of peace as well as in eliminating the consequences of natural and man-made disasters.

Engineer troops are engaged in building of defensive lines and enforced districts, in equipping and refurbishing the relevant areas; they carry out mining and demining activities of the areas and facilities, equip roads and bridges, counter the enemy intelligence systems, and participate in the concealment of troops.

Engineer troops comprise engineer-sapper, road, bridge, engineer- technical subdivisions, certain management bodies, emergency relief and humanitarian demining units.

As a rule, engineer troops perform more complex engineering tasks that require special engineering techniques and professional training.

The positive and negative aspects are the same as those of other military specialities. The positive experience of performing engineering works can be mentioned separately. That knowledge will definitely be useful after completing the service.

Key features

  • Military education or special training.
  • Technical mindset.
  • Organizational skills.
  • Dimensional.
  • Determination.
  • Short- and long-term memory.
  • Physical shape and mental abilities.
  • Sobriety.
  • Willpower.
  • Physical endurance.
  • Knowledge of scientific subjects and computer basics.

Daily duties

Administration of engineer subdivisions

  • Commander of an engineer platoon, if has a degree in engineering from a military educational institution.
  • Commander of an engineer-sapper squad, if selected for service in an engineer-sapper subdivision; should have some technical knowledge and organizational skills.
  • Graduates of Russian, Italian and German military educational institutions are also eligible to command engineer platoons.

Performing combat tasks

  • Engineer subdivisions perform combat tasks both in times of war and peace.
  • Engineering subdivisions are engaged in peacekeeping missions in foreign countries.

Participate in combat operations.

Heroes of the profession

On 17 April 1944, Sergeant Andrei Melkonyan and his squad force crossed the Dnepr River for 144 times to transport troops under the enemy fire. On 13 September 1944, he was awarded the title of Soviet Union Hero for that act.

On 29 September 1943, Senior Sergeant Aramayis Poghosyan was awarded the title of the Soviet Union Hero (posthumously) for force crossing the Dnepr River.

David Yazijyan was awarded the title of the Soviet Union Hero on 3 May 1945.

Where to apply

If you want a career of a military engineer, get a relevant education in a specialised educational institution or join the Armenian Armed Forces.

  • To get an officer’s rank and bachelor's degree, apply to the Vazgen Sargsyan Military University, Department of Combined Arms, Chair of Troop Types and Services, Cycle of Engineering Training.