Combat Engineers are required to go through “14 weeks of One Station Unit Training, which combines Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training,” according the Army’s MOS overview. The website also mentions combat engineers will learn skills such as “construction and engineering, demolition and explosives and operate heavy equipment.”

And according to Zippia, just 3.7% of combat engineers are women. However, many Reddit users were optimistic that BrpBap could be successful as a combat engineer, noting the physical challenges associated with this particular occupation.

One user, TeamRedRocket, gave their perspective as an Army recruiter.

“I’ve enlisted two women into combat engineer. Both are still in and love the job,” they wrote in reply. “One of the challenges I’ve heard, and really for any woman joining, is a lot more physical activity than they’re used to.”

Other users had the same concern. User soupoftheday5, a solider, suggested that if anyone interested in becoming a combt engineer can prove they “can do anything a guy can do, ruck fast, run fast, score well at the range and be proficient at your job, you’ll do just fine.”

Another user, Podricc, suggested that hip mobility is one of the most importnt things, adding that “it’s very common for females to experience stress fractures in their hips.”

There is also a Reddit MegaThread that addresses many other questions for those interested in pursuing a career as a combat engineer.

User imcquill explains the MOS in depth, writing, “Sappers” or combat engineers (12B) have a large variety of tasks that include mobility, counter-mobility and survivability.”

He adds that, “a typical mission for a Sapper Platoon may include: installing obstacles while in the defense to include volcano minefields, spider minefields, demolishing bridges, emplacing log cribs, emplacing abatis, emplacing wire obstacles. A typical mission for a Sapper Platoon in the offense is clearing all of the above. The last common task for a Sapper Platoon is to “Fight Like Infantry.”

Here is a list of the 5 best states for veterans to retire, according to WalletHub.

1. Virginia

WalletHub ranked Virginia the number one ranked state for military retirees. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services offers many advantages for retired veterans through 26 benefit service offices. The services are provided free of charge and help connect veterans with information on current federal, state and local programs throughout Virginia.

When it comes to looking for a post-service career, veterans can join the Virginia Transition Assistance Program. VTAP helps transitioning service members and their spouses seeking employment, education and entrepreneurship opportunities. In addition, veterans eyeing state employment can receive a five percent addition to their test scores, and disabled veterans can receive a 10 percent addition.

Virginia also offers a free lifetime hunting and fishing license and a discounted saltwater license for residents who are permanently and service-connected disabled. Veterans with at least 70 percent disability can get the licenses for a discounted rate. Veterans with a 100 percent VA disability rating get free admission and parking at Virginia state parks as well.

2. South Carolina

In South Carolina, veterans can utilize SC Works centers to help find employment. These provide career coaching, referrals, resumé workshops and other services. Another program, Operation Palmetto Employment help veterans find careers, education and training. Veterans who have received an honorable discharge will receive hiring preference for state positions, if they meet the knowledge and skills requirements. Veterans who retire from state employment can use up to six years towards an increase in retirement benefits.

South Carolina offers three veteran nursing homes available for veterans meeting residency requirements, were discharged under general or honorable conditions and require skilled nursing care. Veterans who have lost the use of their lower extremities or have paralysis of one half of their body resulting from injury are exempt from state, county and municipal taxes on their residences.

Additionally, disabled veterans are eligible to receive a free hunting and fishing license. Any South Carolina resident who is 100% disabled may enter any state park at a reduced rate.

3. Florida

The Florida Veterans Foundation works with 67 county veteran service offices to assist them in finding employment, housing, transportation, benefits assistance among other things.

The Department of Financial Services offers two financial education programs for veterans: Financial Frontlines and Serve Save Succeed. Financial Frontlines is an online program that provides information to help families fight financial frauds and debt. The program covers topics including identity theft, credit scoring, budgeting and more. Serve Save Succeed is a financial literacy resource that covers saving, budgeting, frauds and scams.

Florida is home to 1.5 million veterans, 162,000 being women, many of whom don’t know they are eligible for the full range of federal and state benefits, according to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Each year the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs hosts an annual women veterans conference to help connect them to various benefits and services.

Florida veterans can also access the Military and Veterans Assistance Program, which helps educate service members and veterans about scams that may target their communities.

4. South Dakota

South Dakota has numerous options, particularly when it comes to education benefits. Honorably discharged residents who served after August 1, 1990, and received a campaign, expeditionary or service medal have access to free tuition at state colleges, according to Military.com.

Dependents of those killed in action or died of other causes while on active duty may be eligible for free tuition at a state supported school as well. National Guard members are eligible for a 50 percent reduction in undergraduate tuition at state schools for up to 128 undergraduate credits or 32 graduate credits.

Just like the previous states, South Dakota veterans have access to several recreational benefits. Resident veterans that receive VA Special Monthly Compensation, are former POWs, get Social Security Disability or get at least 40 percent VA disability can receive hunting and fishing licenses for a small fee, free admissions to state parks and half off camping fees.

5. Alaska

According to WalletHub, Alaska has the most veterans per captia and is ranked number one for its economic environment. Alaska offers many benefits for tuition waivers for veterans, as well as their spouses or dependents. In order to qualify for financial benefits while attending school in the University of Alaska system, applicants must be an active duty, National guard, or veteran eligible for VA education benefits. Students who qualify must move to and live in Alaska throughout their school years.

Veterans and their spouses may also qualify for priority services through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. These services include job workshops, priority job referral, special programs, resumé assistance and job development.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation offers two programs to assist qualified veterans purchasing a home. One of the programs, the Veterans Mortgage Program, offers special financing to veterans, including lower interest rates, quick processing times and little to no down payments. Another program, the Veterans Interest Rate Preference program, offers a provides reduced mortgage loan interest rates.

User gydgroesaot, concerned about what might happen to during basic training asked if the face wash, along with a skin care supplement apply every night, could be taken to basic training.

“I don’t care about having pimples but my face gets extremely oily at night and it’s uncomfortable and painful,” he or she wrote.

Respondents had conflicting opinions on the issue surrounding bringing your own toiletries to training.

One user, LegitimateSet0, said personal belongings “are a no go.”

“Unless it’s prescribed you absolutely will not use it. Only things you will have is a toothbrush, deodorant, and shaving stuff. That’s it,” they wrote.

User amber5820 suggested COVID-19 could be the reason they were able to bring their own face wash more recently.

“Everything was different because of it (COVID-19),” amber5820 said. “I was just in BCT not even a year ago. They didn’t confiscate any personal hygiene items that I brought.”

Many users, like 4everpvt, Omdren and IncrediblyInflated, criticized the question. Users complained that the original poster should reconsider enlisting if they’re worried about a skin care routine.

Per an article from Military One Source, toiletries you’re allowed to bring to basic training include “a toothbrush with a case, hairbrush or comb, one washcloth and towel, antiperspirant, shower shoes, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, soap and a soap case, a disposable razor and shaving cream.”

Prohibited items, according to Military One Source, include “nonprescription drugs, generally medications not prescribed to you by the military.” The article suggests asking your recruiter if you have concerns about medications or toiletries.

“Honestly just bring it with you and if they throw it out, they throw it out,” said Reddit user, Professional_Ad7110, adding that they went into basic training with a lot of acne but came out with clear skin due to constant sweating and showering every night.

Salesforce Military, Salesforce’s program for veterans and their spouses, helps veterans learn more about opportunities for skill development, career advancement and employment resources. The program provides free training in high-demand technology areas and certifications that will aid in finding careers.

“Our program is designed to be able to connect veterans and military spouses with the free training certification and resources and employment opportunities within the broader Salesforce ecosystem,” Jared Crain, an Army veteran and director of Workforce Development for Salesforce Military, said. “It just absolutely makes sense for us to be able to partner with the VA.”

Salesforce provides veterans and military spouses with training for specific technical training to bring together the “soft skills” that they already have to make them successful for the workplace.

“Service members are serving and providing amazing service to our country. When you serve other people, serving yourself and taking care of yourself isn’t necessarily your highest priority,” said Christine Eickhoff, health systems specialist for Veterans Affairs, who is overseeing the partnership. “We want veterans to benefit from all of the different resources that are available so they can utilize these resources to achieve all of their goals.”

Pedro Colon Jr., an Air Force veteran, has a background in aircraft maintenance and recruiting.

“The one thing that I knew when I retired was that I wanted to change career paths. I’m always the type of person that is looking for new challenges,” Colon said.

He used his GI Bill to go back to school and pursue a master’s degree in Information Systems Management. During his time at school, he received an email about Salesforce, but wasn’t interested. After receiving another email, Colon decided to look into it and was interested in the training programs for veterans and their spouses.

“I was looking for a community that understood my challenges, especially when separating from the military,” Colon added. “I knew I wanted to work in tech and so I started doing the trainings.”

Colon is now a Salesforce solution engineer at Liberty IT Solutions. Colon said Salesforce has trainings for almost every industry and it gives veterans the opportunity to work in fields different from their field in the military.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that there are so many veterans and military spouses out there that may not be aware of the program,” said Colon. “I think they would be surprised that the value that they add to this ecosystem could take them really far.”

Crain said that in the last 12 months, they saw half a million new positions within Salesforce Ecosystem, and they are expected to have 4.2 million new jobs by 2024.

“The demand and opportunity for success employment is absolutely there,” Crain noted. “It’s helping connect and provide a pathway for veterans and military spouses to connect more effectively to employers and that’s what our team’s doing every day.”