Are the Corps of Engineers and Engineer Branch one in the same? I know that soldiers are part of the Corps of Engineers, but aren't the the two still different components?

Posted on Nov 26, 2018

Are the Corps of Engineers and Engineer Branch one in the same?

Cadet PFC (Join to see)

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I know that soldiers are part of the Corps of Engineers, but aren't the the two still different components?

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Posted 6 y ago

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Responses: 6

COL John McClellan

Edited 6 y ago

Posted 6 y ago

So - good question! The name of the branch for all Army engineer officers is the Corps of Engineers, but USACE, or the US Army Corps of Engineers is a unique hybrid government/military organization. Both tactical Army engineer units as well as USACE are led by Army engineer officers - a unique opportunity for those branched engineer. USACE is mostly made up of federal civilian workers: engineers, scientists, administrators and even park rangers. If you eventually branch as an engineer officer, you will start out in the "regular Army," National Guard or Reserves, but after initial assignment(s) as an LT, you will also have access to serving in the "civilian" Corps as an engineer officer at a USACE District. USACE have federal responsibility for all inland waterways in the United States, as well as supervision of major military construction projects such as barracks, hospitals, other large projects - basically anything appropriated by Congress. They also provide specialized engineering expertise to the Army - including downrange. Some engineer officers serve their entire careers in the regular forces, but some seek assignments in USACE along the way. Good Luck!!

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Cadet PFC (Join to see)

6 y

Thank you so much for your response sir!
I am interested in possibly branching Engineer I grew up in St. Louis spending a lot of my free time on USACE land fishing and hunting. (Mark Twain Lake, Mississippi Lock and damn #26) But I also find the normal Army side of the job just as interesting (though I am struggling to find any info on this side of operations). Once again thank you for shedding some light on the subject!

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COL John McClellan

6 y

You are having trouble finding information on Army tactical engineers?? Try:
https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/units-tenants/USAES
or
http://armyengineer.com/

U.S. Army Engineer School :: FORT LEONARD WOOD - Developmental

U.S. Army Engineer School

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CPO (Join to see)

6 y

The COL nailed it. The Navy runs same way, they have NAVFAC that is the same as USACE and Seabees that are like Heavy Army Engineers, with some unique special capabilities. Today in joint world you will find all Engineer units doing some kind of joint operation, because each one has their own special capability. Depending on what you looking for, look into all Engineer branches.When I say that I mean ground type or Military. When you go to Navy don't say Engineer or they will try to show you the snipes or ship Engineers.

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2LT (Join to see)

>1 y

Hello Sir !! I am a CDT given the Engineers branch and I studied Biology, I was really interested in the USACE but I don't have a clue on how to get there, the pathway or requirements !!!

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LTC Jason Mackay

Posted 6 y ago

No. USACE is an entire entity all its own

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MAJ(P) (Join to see)

Posted 6 y ago

No they are not. Way different. Engineer Branch is military and Corps of Engineers is almost fully civilian. With two completely different missions.

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Cadet PFC (Join to see)

6 y

Thank you, that is what I believed. I seem to be having problems finding info on the Branch, almost all I can find is info on the Corps and that led me to doubt myself for a minute. Thank you again

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MAJ(P) (Join to see)

6 y

Check out the enlisted jobs in Engineer will give u best idea or at least knowledge of what the Soldiers u would be supervising would be doing.Cadet PFC (Join to see)

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COL John McClellan

6 y

But both are led by Army engineer officers and the Chief of Engineers wears two hats - member of the Army Staff and also Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers!

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