What is the Army Corps of Engineers?

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a branch of the Army that specializes in engineering projects. The majority of its employees are actually civilians, overseen by a small group of military personnel. The branch's motto is “Relevant, Ready, Responsible, Reliable,” and, reflecting that motto, the Corps is often first on the scene at disaster areas. Many other projects fall under the realm of the Army Corps of Engineers, including civil engineering projects such as dams, military facility construction, and support of the Department of Defense.

In 1775, a chief engineer was appointed to handle Army 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 managed West Point until 1866, when it became a more general military academy, and one of the most highly reputed 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 all over the world. Dams and bridges in the United States and abroad are built by the Corps, which also helps civil engineers in other countries to build schools and other significant public buildings. It also provides engineering related support to the military. The disaster response arm can be found on site all over the world helping to restore engineering order at major disaster sites.

In addition to working in the field, the Army Corps of Engineers also conducts research. The research laboratory analyzes construction techniques, attempts 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 in general.

People interesting in working for the Army Corps of Engineers can take a number of career paths, depending on their goals and focus. Trained civilians can apply for open job positions, and people can also join after training at a school like West Point. Many job opportunities with the Corps are open to civilians, as the organization supports almost 35,000 civilian employees in a variety of positions, along with 650 members of the military.