The Prime Power Production Specialist (12P MOS) program began in 1958 as a Nuclear Power program to train service members to operate nuclear reactors.
However, this position evolved as the energy needs of the Army changed.
Currently, the Prime Power Production Specialist program trains applicants to operate and maintain the Prime Power Program (P3) and to distribute assets to support commanders.
The 12P MOS is a voluntary reclassification for those already in the Army with the rank of Specialist and Sergeants who do not have a promotable status.
The two-phase course is demanding, but the work is rewarding.
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12P MOS Requirements and Qualifications
Applicants need to meet minimum standards of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
This test is an aptitude test that tells you which Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) best suits you.
To be a part of the 12P MOS, you will need a General Technical (GT) score of 110.
Also, the Electronics Score (EL), which is a combination of scores between General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematical Knowledge, and Electronic Information, should be at least 107.
Furthermore, the Skilled Technical score should reach a minimum of 107, as well.
The security clearance for this career path is Secret, which means any unauthorized disclosures could cause harm to the security of the nation.
Also, candidates should have normal color vision and be a citizen of the United States.
Lastly, candidates should meet the minimum standards for medical fitness.
Related Article – ASVAB Scores For All 150+ Army Jobs
Training and Career Path for a 12P MOS
The Prime Power School is a part of the 249th Engineering Battalion, and the 12P Prime Power Course is located at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
If you are considering a reclassification into the 12P MOS, the first step is to submit your application through your chain of command.
A career counselor will assist by submitting your application to Human resources.
If your application is accepted, you are on your way to a year-long, two-phase training program.
After the initial 12P course, students are assigned to an Additional Skill Identifier (ASI).
There are three different ASIs:
- Instrumentation Specialist (ASI-E5)
- Electrical Specialist (ASI-S3)
- Mechanical Specialist (ASI-S2)
12 P MOS Pay and Benefits
The Army’s compensation plan includes vacation time, special pay, food allowances, housing allowances, and medical coverage.
When you look at the pay side-by-side with civilian pay, the pay may not stack up in a direct comparison.
However, the other benefits and compensations tip the scale in favor of the compensation plan offered by the Army.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Furthermore, the 12P MOS currently has a selective retention bonus for members considering increasing their time in the Army.
Right now, the Army offers Tier 7 bonus for the ranks Army Private First Class through Specialist, as well as Sergeant.
Bonuses are Tier 3 for Staff Sergeants and Tier 1 Sergeant First Class.
Related Article – Army Ranks and Pay
Assignment Opportunities
Graduates of this training may be assigned to a variety of locations:
- Belvoir, Virginia
- Bliss, Texas
- Guam
- Bragg, North Carolina
- Hood, Texas
- Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
- US Army Reserves: Cranston, Rhode Island
For Senior SSG and SFC 12P Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) face possible assignments in the following locations:
- Belgium
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Egypt
- Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- South Korea
- Washington DC, Pentagon or White House
- US Army Reserves: Cranston, Rhode Island
Related Article – List of Army Bases in the US
Job Details
During times of war, Prime Power Production Specialists support Prime Power missions.
If it is a time of peace, specialists build their skillset through training and deploying during natural disasters and special purpose deployments.
Also, specialists give support to Directors of Public Works both overseas and in the U.S.
Duties of a Prime Power Production Specialists include the operation of power plants and generator sets of 500 Kilowatts and higher.
Also, duties include operation and analysis of plant equipment to ensure optimal condition.
A 12P would supervise installing and the operation of all power plants and its equipment as well as the movement and storage of equipment.
Furthermore, an essential duty is to repair equipment in the most cost-efficient way possible.
Job Reviews for 12P MOS
Reviews for this specialty indicate the career is demanding and fast-paced.
Also, it is noted that while some employees do minimal work, those who put in the effort are rewarded with advancement.
The assignments are varied and sometimes tense, as the work often revolved around natural disaster relief efforts.
Civilian Career Opportunities
If you are planning your Army career with an eye on career opportunities once you leave the service, it is vital to consider if the training you receive translates into college credits.
College credits are essential because the education you receive in the Army builds into a solid professional standing in the civilian world.
The demanding training for the 12P MOS translates into college credits of 32 semester hours for 18 weeks of the training.
Also, there are another six hours of credit hours for students who complete the Additional Sill Identifier (ASI) phase.
Some of the best paying jobs in the civilian world are competitive and do not show much growth for the next few years.
For example, a Biomass Power Plant manager has typical wages of $105, 480 with only a bachelor’s degree, but growth is only one percent.
Therefore, for those planning on seeking out employment in a competitive market might lean heavily on maximizing all the college credits, educational bonuses, and opportunities the Army has to offer before becoming a civilian.
There are other positions with better job outlooks for those who served as a 12P.
For instance, Electrical Engineers have a typical wage of $98,530 with a bachelor’s degree.
However, the highest paying jobs in this area are $196,500.
The job growth is five percent, which is considered average.
Conclusion
An Army career as a Prime Power Production Specialist is challenging and rewarding.
This MOS is a reclassification MOS with the potential for retention bonuses.
There are some requirements for qualifying as a candidate for this MOS, including security clearance, minimum standards on the ASVAB test, and citizenship.
The total training takes close to a year and consists of two phases.
A specialist in this field works with power plants and generators.
During times of war, P12s works to support missions.
During times of peace, a specialist is likely to continue training and work to help our nation during times of natural disasters and other crises.
Job reviews reveal this is a rewarding and professional career with opportunities for advancement for those who work hard.
In the civilian world, jobs can be competitive, so it is essential to maximize educational opportunities the Army offers to give yourself an edge.
References:
https://www.usace.army.mil/Prime-Power-School/
https://www.careeronestop.org/
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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