The US Army Corps of Engineers is a branch of the Army that specializes in engineering projects. It operates worldwide, building dams, bridges, military facilities, and providing technical support to armed forces. The Corps also carries out research activities and supports nearly 35,000 civilian employees and 650 military personnel.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a branch of the Army that specializes in engineering projects. Most of its employees are actually civilians, supervised by a small group of military personnel. The branch motto is “Relevant, Ready, Responsible, Reliable,” and reflecting this motto, the Corps is often first on the scene in disaster areas. Many other projects fall under the scope of the Army Corps of Engineers, including civil engineering projects such as dams, military facility construction, and Department of Defense support.
In 1775 a chief engineer was appointed to manage the army’s constructions and fortifications. In 1802, the Army Corps of Engineers was formally established, along with the West Point Military Academy in New York. The branch operated West Point until 1866, when it became a more general military academy and one of the most renowned schools in the United States. West Point graduates have served in the United States Army with distinction and make up a significant percentage of serving officers in the Army.
Major construction projects are undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers around the world. Dams and bridges in the United States and abroad are built by the Corps, which also helps civil engineers from other countries build schools and other important public buildings. It also provides technical support to the armed forces. The Disaster Response Arm can be found on-site around the world and helps restore technical order to major disaster sites.
In addition to working in the field, the Army Corps of Engineers also carries out research activities. The research lab analyzes construction techniques, tries to refine safety measures in new engineering projects and works on creating sustainable infrastructure. The lab also looks at environmental issues such as air and water quality and works on engineering science in unique situations, such as extreme cold. Much of this cutting-edge research is shared with the engineering world at large.
Individuals interested in working for the Army Corps of Engineers can take a variety of career paths, depending on their goals and focus. Trained civilians can apply for open job positions, and people can also enroll after training at a school like West Point. Many job opportunities with the Corps are open to civilians, as the organization supports nearly 35,000 civilian employees in a variety of positions, along with 650 members of the military.
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