One specialised engineer career is the specific role of an engineer in the Army
, since the work there is different from private sector. Army career will entail working around weapons that does not occur in normal public or government organisation. It is possible to have a profession in army which is so specialised which no part is usable in career life following army.
Another aspect of army career that is significantly different from civil type career is the career progression. In private sector engineer career is dependent about gaining seniority in the selected field that comes with larger pay packet. In army on the other hand progression in the army life and hence the rank of an officer relate to the officer role and not the skill set of being an engineer. It is possible to be a distinguished engineer and lousy officer and so the progression of the engineer has stalled.
Army career presents its own problems that are unique. Take the case where engineers are required to design a bridge for army purpose. The loadings are likely to be those of tanks and other army equipment that will be different to a bridge designed for freeway loading.
Army life comes with top secret projects and any associated equipment or technique, that will not be able to be used in the private sector when the army career is over. This is at odds with typical engineering practice in that the engineers carry with them the knowledge acquired form past projects.
One major issue with army engineer career is the possibility in working in remote and inaccessible areas. For a project in a isolated site there are specific problems with site. In remote areas the personnel is given time off but cannot go anywhere or lead a regular life during their time off. What this demonstrates is people in the army really need to love their work and life in the army.
Possibility of being involved in war is real at the moment for any engineer in the army. It is a actual possibility in today's climate to be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. Picture working in a war environment where staying alive is a priority and then trying to work as an engineer. Instead of working on the project you are going to be looking out for a bullet, what a risk.