21A Career Guide
21A: General Engineer
Career transition guide for Army General Engineer (21A)
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Top civilian roles for 21A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Civil Engineer
Construction Manager
Skills to develop:
Management Analyst
Skills to develop:
Government Contract Specialist
Skills to develop:
Facilities Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 21A training built — and where they transfer.
System Modeling
As a General Engineer, you understand and apply engineering principles to various Army projects, requiring you to build mental models of complex systems to predict their behavior and ensure effective operation.
This ability to conceptualize and analyze systems translates directly to civilian roles where understanding complex processes and predicting outcomes is crucial for success.
Resource Optimization
Your role involves maximizing the use of available resources – personnel, equipment, and funds – to achieve engineering objectives within the Army, demanding careful planning and efficient allocation.
This skill is highly valuable in civilian settings where efficient resource management is key to project success and profitability. You're adept at doing more with less.
Situational Awareness
Working within diverse operational environments requires maintaining a high level of situational awareness to anticipate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and make informed decisions under pressure.
Your ability to quickly assess and understand your surroundings, anticipate potential issues, and adjust your approach is a major asset in any dynamic civilian environment.
Rapid Prioritization
General Engineers often face multiple competing demands and time-sensitive projects. This necessitates the ability to quickly assess priorities, allocate resources effectively, and maintain focus on the most critical tasks.
In the civilian world, you'll excel at rapidly triaging tasks and ensuring that the most important projects receive the attention they deserve, leading to efficient and effective outcomes.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Logistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081.00You've been honing your resource optimization and system modeling skills, which are directly transferable to analyzing supply chains, optimizing inventory levels, and improving logistics processes for businesses. Your understanding of complex systems allows you to identify inefficiencies and implement effective solutions.
Management Consultant
SOC 13-1111.00You've gained a deep understanding of complex organizations and problem-solving methodologies. Your ability to assess situations quickly, identify key issues, and develop effective solutions makes you a valuable asset to businesses seeking to improve their operations.
Business Continuity Planner
SOC 13-1199.00You possess the skills to analyze potential disruptions, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure organizational resilience. Your background in general engineering, including resource optimization and situational awareness, allows you to create robust plans that minimize the impact of unforeseen events.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Officer Basic Leadership Course (OBLC), Fort Leonard Wood
Topics Covered
- •Army Leadership
- •Engineer Principles and Tactics
- •Project Management Fundamentals
- •Construction Management
- •Environmental Engineering Basics
- •Military Law
- •Safety and Risk Management
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Specific engineering discipline knowledge (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.), state-specific licensing requirements, and passing the PE exam.
Formal project management training, documented project management experience, and passing the PMP exam based on the PMBOK guide.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Geographic Information System (GIS) | Esri ArcGIS, QGIS |
| Army Geospatial Center (AGC) Products | Commercial satellite imagery and analysis services (e.g., DigitalGlobe, Maxar) |
| US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Regulations (ERs) and Engineering Manuals (EMs) | Industry-standard engineering design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and building codes |
| Risk Management Framework (RMF) | NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001 |
| Hazardous Waste Management System (HWMS) | Environmental compliance software (e.g., Enablon, Intelex) |
| Construction Management Software used by USACE | Procore, Autodesk BIM 360 |
| DoD Master Planning Criteria | Urban planning and design software, zoning regulations |
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