How to become a Combat Engineer in India, Courses, Colleges, Abroad, Jobs and Salary

Steps to follow to become a Combat Engineer

Students should decide at their school level whether to become a combat engineer. In high school, students, together with physics and chemistry, should pursue mathematics regularly. Preparations for entry must also begin immediately after the 10+2 examination has been taken. The following are further steps to becoming a combat engineer:

Decision Making

Decisions have to be made at the secondary level. An engineer needs to focus on topics at the school level, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. Students must also register at coaching centers and begin to prepare for the entry exams.

Subject Choices

Students should always choose science topics to pursue a career in engineering. The main subject choices should be physics, chemistry and mathematics. Students wishing to become combat engineers should follow information regarding the military and their physical requirements and should take care of the same.

Entrance Exam Preparation

Once the entry exams for universities and colleges have been successfully cleared, students are able to enroll in an engineering school to graduate with an engineering degree. The entry exams for engineering applicants are conducted, such as JEE Main, JEE Advance, DTU, KIT, VITEEE and BITSAT, etc. Aside from that, if you are already interested in becoming a combat engineer, you can begin preparing for qualifying exams such as the SSB, NDA, AFCAT, TES, NCC, INET, and AOC.

Selecting Correct Colleges

Students should always pursue an engineering degree at a prestigious university. For an engineering course, IITs and NITs are regarded as primary colleges. If you have a high All India rank, you will get a seat at one of these leading institutes to take engineering courses. Or, you can also choose from the multiple military colleges available in India.

Steps after Graduation

After completing your graduation in engineering, you can apply for the SSB examination. Please make sure you score more than 85%. After passing your SSB exam, you will be subjected to a medical comprehensive test to determine your overall health and whether you are qualified to be a combat engineer.

After Qualifying Exam

After your medical test, if you get selected, you will be sent to a training program. After completing your training program, it will be up to you to decide which service/arm you want to join out of the three.

Types of Combat Engineers

There are different ways to join a unit of combat engineers, depending on which type of service you choose. There are opportunities for technical engineers, aeronautical engineers, naval architecture, and general services.

• Combat Engineer in Air Force: Interested candidates can be an engineer in the Air Force based on their qualification for different branches. You can join the technical branch & aeronautical branch (mechanical & electronics) through AFCAT, if you are a graduate and have studied physics, chemistry and mathematics since graduation. An advertisement is published in newspapers if there’s a vacancy and you can check the same on the official website. The salary for this post range between INR 17 lakh per annum to 18 lakh per annum
• Combat Engineer in Navy: You can join the navy as either a naval architecture officer or a general service officer. You are eligible to opt for one of these options if you have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with at least 60% marks and have cleared the CDSE, INET or NDA (naval academy/navy) exams. Although these exams are conducted every year, you can still check the recruitment status on the official website or look for advertisements for the same. Expected salary for the post in this department is between INR 7 lakh per annum to 8 lakh per annum.
• Combat Engineer in Army: To be a combat engineer in the army, you are required to clear one of the two qualifying exams, either NDA or TES. NDA is held twice a year to fill vacancies and is announced on the official website, in newspapers, or in the employment section of any media outlet. As for TES, it also takes place twice a year, but to apply for TES, you need to have at least 70%+ in physics, chemistry & mathematics in your 10+2. A combat engineer gets paid somewhere between INR 5 lakh per annum to 6 lakh per annum.

How to become a Combat Engineer in India

• Becoming a combat engineer is not as easy as becoming an engineer in the corporate or other sectors. 
• With perks and allowances come challenges that you will be expected to face as a combat engineer. 
• Because you will be joining India's security forces, including the navy, air force, and army, the selection process and competition have risen to new heights. 
• Your preparation to become a combat engineer starts as soon as you decide that you want to be a part of this prestigious unit.

School Level Preparation

• Starting from the basics, after completing the 10th grade, you must opt for science streams with subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. 
• If you want to take any qualifying exam to join a combat unit, you must meet this basic eligibility requirement. 
• While you are still in your school life, aim for at least 60% - 70% in your final examination results because the percentage of marks required to appear in the above mentioned exams varies between 60 to 70 percent.

Undergraduate Preparation

• After qualifications of 10+2, applicants have to go to a good university and graduate in 3 years, at least 60-65 percent. 
• If you are not planning to go for a graduation degree but attempt the NDA & TES exam directly, then you should prepare yourself for the exam. 
• UPSC is responsible for conducting the NDA exam and, to check the syllabus and other formats, you can check its official website. 
• While for the other exams, like AFCAT, CDSE and INET, you can apply on the Indian army website after completing your graduation in engineering.

Below are mentioned some engineering courses, colleges, eligibility and selection process with fee details.

After clearing qualifying exams –

After clearing your exam, you can proceed to the next step, which is the SSB interview. Now, the SSB interview is completed in several phases for different categories, like psychological, intelligence, group discussion, etc. Following the completion of the SSB interview, the candidate will be subjected to a medical examination, following which a merit cut-off list will be announced. However, if you belong to the NDA or TES category, you will be sent to training programs which last for around 4-5 yeaINR

Training Centers for NDA and TES categories-

COLLEGE OF MILITARY ENGINEERING, PUNE

MILITARY COLLEGE OF TELECOMMUNICATION, MHOW

MILITARY COLLEGE OF ELECTRONICS & MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, SECUNDERABAD

NATIONAL DEFENSE ACADEMY, PUNE

INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY, DEHRADUN

Courses to become a Combat Engineer

BTech Aeronautical Engineering

BTech Aeronautical Engineering is a 4 year course that manages the plan, design, development, and investigation of the science behind the powers and properties of rockets, aircraft, flying crafts, and shuttle.

Admission Process 

• BTech Aeronautical Engineering admissions are done through entrance examination or direct admission through quota. 
• Candidates need to fill up the application form with all necessary details with care. Care must be taken to ensure all details are accurate and correct details.

BTech Mechanical Engineering

BTech Mechanical Engineering is a 4 year UG course that prepares the students to become professional Mechanical Engineers. This course aims to prepare students to apply the principles of mechanical engineering for designing, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. 

BTech Mechanical Engineering: Admission Process

• Admission to BTech Mechanical Engineering course mostly depends on the entrance exam held at national and state level.
• The most popular entrance exams in the country are JEE Main and JEE Advanced, which are mandatory for admission into universities like IITs.
• Private colleges also conduct their own examinations or rely on the national/ state level entrance examinations. 

BTech Computer Science and Engineering

BTech Computer Science and Engineering is a 4 year UG course imparting practical and theoretical knowledge of computer hardware and software. This course also lays emphasis on the basics of computer programming and networking while also comprising a variety of topics. 

Admission Process

• Admission to BTech CSE is majorly based on marks scored by the candidates at the entrance exam.
• They need to register themselves for the exam and score the marks as per the cut off list to qualify.
• Candidates need to fulfill all the required eligibility criteria to be eligible for admission into colleges offering BTech CSE.

How to become a Combat Engineer abroad?

To become a combat engineer in other countries, you need to fulfill their eligibility criteria and go through their selection process. Selection procedures and eligibility criteria differ from country to country, having a bachelor’s degree in technology remains the basic educational eligibility. If the countries allow people of other nations to join their army, you should get your visa, should know the national language of that country and English.

Combat Engineer in United Kingdom

The Royal Engineers are technical combat warriors who play a part in every aspect of the battlefield. They assist the rest of the Army on the front lines by crossing rivers, destroying bridges with explosives, and clearing pathways across minefields. You'll be assigned to one of the following job groups when you apply to join the Royal Engineers-

Selection Process and Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for different positions differs in one or other aspects, but the selection process is the same for all posts. To check eligibility, click on the link -

The following sections explain the steps in the selection process for a full-time regular officer-

• Step 1: Apply Online - After you've expressed interest in joining, you'll be asked for information such as your nationality and age. This will tell you what kind of role you can apply for (or whether you won't be able to join at all). After that, you'll need to apply online, which will kick start your Army career.
• Step 2: Interview-Then you'll be invited to an interview with a recruiter in your area. This allows them to get to know you better and evaluate if you'll fit in with the Army, as well as allowing you to ask us questions. These sessions are being held online while adhering to social distancing norms. You'll also get tips on how to prepare for the next level, which is the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB).
• Step 3: Army Officer Selection Board-The AOSB Briefing and AOSB Main Board, both held in Westbury, Wiltshire, are the two components of your evaluation.
• Step 4: After Assessment-You'll be given an offer of employment to take your position at Sandhurst once you've passed. They'll still need to look into your background.

The selection process is a bit different for part-time officers; it includes applying online, meeting your unit, assessment of your health and the AOSB Briefing.

Colleges to pursue engineering in United Kingdom with details-

Combat Engineer in the U.S.A.

To be a combat engineer in the USA, during your training process, you will learn skills like construction & engineering, demolitions & explosives and operating heavy instruments. There are several job opportunities within the combat engineer unit within the US army. To join the US Army as a combat engineer, you can check if you are eligible on their website-

The selection process-

1. Meet with a recruiter to help you find the right army job.
2. Documents-Recruiters will help you to get documents that are important for enlistment.
3. Academic Evaluation-attempt the ASVAB test to check your aptitude. This test is specifically designed to check your strengths.
4. Physical Fitness Evaluation - Your recruiter will assist you in making an appointment at the Military Entrance Processing Station closest to you (MEPS). MEPS will decide whether you are qualified to serve and which job is the greatest fit for you. This is also where your physical examination will take place.
5. Army Career-The Army has approximately 150 different job options in a range of fields. Your ASVAB score is crucial to determining which Army career is the best fit for you.
6. Preparing for Basic Combat Training-After passing the ASVAB, passing your physical, and deciding on a career path, you're ready to begin the most critical training for becoming a soldier: Basic Combat Training.

Below is list of some engineering colleges in U.S.A 

Combat Engineer in Canada

A combat engineer's role in Canada is the same as it is in other countries. You can apply for this position if you have completed your 10th grade education or Secondaire IV in Quebec. You have the option of joining as a part-time or full-time officer in Canada.

The following are the steps to joining the army:

1. Submit your application – You will need to present original copies of your documents required for the trade or job you have selected. All overseas education must be presented with a Canadian equivalency from the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada.
2. Reliability Screening - Forms for determining reliability should be filled out. This establishes your trustworthiness while dealing with sensitive information. All of the forms you submit will be verified by the Canadian Forces, so be totally honest while filling them out.
3. Aptitude Test - You will be given an aptitude test to determine which military career is the best fit for you. You'll be assessed for your linguistic abilities, spatial abilities, and problem-solving abilities. A sequence of three Canadian Forces aptitude tests will take about 60 minutes to complete. A personality inventory will also be completed, which will provide information on your own characteristics and qualities.
4. Medical Exam -After that, you'll take a two-part medical exam: The first step is to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history, which includes details about your medications. The medical personnel will then perform a physical examination to determine your height, weight, vision, color perception, and hearing. The next step is to evaluate your medical records to see if there are any limits that will affect your training and career.
5. Interview - An interview with a military career adviser is the next phase; it is your official employment interview and a critical step. The application process is quite competitive, and you will be quizzed on your work experience, knowledge of the Canadian Forces, and comprehension of the career you have chosen.

College to pursue engineering in Canada are

Combat Engineer in Australia

The Corps of Royal Australian Engineers has Combat Engineers, also known as 'Sappers' (RAE). Combat Engineers perform the difficult, demanding, and sophisticated duties that enable military personnel to move, live, and fight. Sappers are trained in a variety of duties, including bridge construction, explosives clearance, obstacle creation, demolitions, and small boat operation.

Colleges to pursue engineering courses in Australia-

Benefits of a Career as a Combat Engineer

• Job stability: Job security entails more than just being able to keep a job. It also means you'll have consistent money and benefits, as well as a stable job, and this is one of the reasons why people prefer being a combat engineer.
• Interesting projects: Learnings from an interesting project, as well as time spent on it, can match the interviewer's expectations of knowledge gained on the job.
• Growth opportunity: Being a part of the military gives you an opportunity to grow as a person and learn to handle new and emerging problems.
• Perks and allowance: Lastly, perks and allowances available to us because of this job profile can be one the reason for why people choose to be a combat engineer.

Combat Engineers must have the following abilities

• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Construction
• Demolition
• Decision-making
• Strategic thinking
• Structural analysis
• Equipment operation
• Computer science
• Navigation
• Basic practical machinery

Salary of Combat Engineer

Combat engineer comes under the government job sector, so the salary is managed by government and private sector has no role in this.The average salary of a combat engineer in the USA ranges between INR 22, 35,555 to INR 38, 74,962 annually in 2023.

Salary Comparisons by country are provided below-