U.S Corps of Engineers query

**growler** · 08-02-2006, 17:50

Are the US Corps of Engineers (Mississippi levees etc) equivalent to the Royal Engineers or are they a civilian outfit?

**staaken** · 08-02-2006, 18:09

From their website
( http://www.usace.army.mil/who/ ) :

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is made up of approximately 34,600 Civilian and 650 military members. Our military and civilian engineers, scientists and other specialists work hand in hand as leaders in engineering and environmental matters. Our diverse workforce of biologists, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, natural resource managers and other professionals meets the demands of changing times and requirements as a vital part of America's Army.
Our mission is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation including:

Planning, designing, building and operating water resources and other civil works projects (Navigation, Flood Control, Environmental Protection, Disaster Response, etc.)
Designing and managing the construction of military facilities for the Army and Air Force. (Military Construction)
Providing design and construction management support for other Defense and federal agencies. (Interagency and International Services)
Today, as always, we stand ready... engineers, scientists, real estate specialists and administrators alike to meet national security, emergency and other national requirements.

**Ali_Gee** · 26-09-2006, 20:29

I'm working for USACE in Iraq........can't say I'm overly impressed with their selection process!

**Clerk_of_Jerks** · 26-09-2006, 21:26

I've worked with some of their staff and sub-contractors in Iraq and I would disagree with Ali_Gee. Their staff were sound and had a good work ethic but I found the problem to be in their contracting strategy.

They have obviously got shed loads of money to spend and they tend to throw money at a problem rather than select a competent/ experienced subcontractor who could do the work to a better standard and get the problem resolved properly.

**Devil_Dog** · 26-09-2006, 21:34

Originally Posted by Ali_Gee

I'm working for USACE in Iraq........can't say I'm overly impressed with their selection process!

I wont be bashing them if I was you seeing they selected you.

**LineDoggie** · 26-09-2006, 21:39

Originally Posted by Devil_Dog

Originally Posted by Ali_Gee

I'm working for USACE in Iraq........can't say I'm overly impressed with their selection process!

I wont be bashing them if I was you seeing they selected you.

Capital

**Ali_Gee** · 27-09-2006, 06:35

Originally Posted by Devil_Dog

Originally Posted by Ali_Gee

I'm working for USACE in Iraq........can't say I'm overly impressed with their selection process!

I wont be bashing them if I was you seeing they selected you.

:D My point exactly!!

**Lt_Pest** · 27-09-2006, 11:45

I spent time with a unit out in Georgia last summer and was quite impressed. They have a split between Sapper and Heavy battalions, with the Sapper units doing all the armoured, minewarfare, dems, etc. and the Heavy units doing the construction and plant work.

Their vehicles and plant were pretty knackered and they all said how they would rather have the Land Rover and A2. Their basic G10 stuff was well above standard however with shiny new De Walt gear and silenced generators, equally matched by their artisan skills.

Couldn't quite see what the need for the .50 cals and Mk19 grenade launchers was though...

**Ali_Gee** · 27-09-2006, 12:11

Originally Posted by Lt_Pest

I spent time with a unit out in Georgia last summer and was quite impressed. They have a split between Sapper and Heavy battalions, with the Sapper units doing all the armoured, minewarfare, dems, etc. and the Heavy units doing the construction and plant work.

Their vehicles and plant were pretty knackered and they all said how they would rather have the Land Rover and A2. Their basic G10 stuff was well above standard however with shiny new De Walt gear and silenced generators, equally matched by their artisan skills.

Couldn't quite see what the need for the .50 cals and Mk19 grenade launchers was though...

LT, sure you weren't with a CEB, Combat Engineer Battakion?

**AK_Sapper** · 29-09-2006, 18:38

Lt Pest,
It does sound as if you were working with an Engineer Task Force. That particular mix is task organized to support the operations of a brigade level task force, be it Armor or Infantry.

Hunter
US Cbt Eng, Ret