Military engineering of the United States facts for kids

Military engineers are like super-builders and problem-solvers for the armed forces. They help design, build, and maintain everything from roads and bridges to airfields and forts. They also help troops move safely and set up important bases, making sure soldiers have what they need to do their jobs. The United States first started having military engineers on June 16, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War. Today, each branch of the military has its own group of engineers.

History of Military Engineers

Early Days: The Revolutionary War

Military engineering in the U.S. began during the American Revolutionary War. Engineers in the U.S. Army had important jobs. They would draw maps of the land and build strong forts. These forts helped protect soldiers from enemy attacks. For example, the fortifications in Saratoga, New York, were built by these early engineers. Their skills were a big reason why the American colonies won their independence.

The 1800s and the Civil War

The United States Army Corps of Engineers started and stopped a few times after it was first created. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson and Congress brought the Corps of Engineers back for good. They set up the Corps at West Point, New York. This became a special military school just for training military engineers. The Corps of Engineers ran the United States Military Academy until 1866. It was the first college in America to focus on engineering.

In the early 1800s, military engineers built strong brick and stone forts along the coast. After 1824, there were actually two different Army Corps of Engineers groups. One built forts, and the other worked on improving the country's harbors and rivers. Sometimes their jobs overlapped, especially during wars. During the American Civil War, in 1863, the two groups joined together and grew much larger. As war technology improved, the engineers had to learn how to build stronger bridges and facilities. These new structures needed to handle heavier cannons and other equipment.

The 1900s and Today

During World War I and World War II, military engineers were super busy. They built roads, bridges, railroads, ports, forts, trenches, and supply depots right on the battlefields. They were crucial both on the front lines and behind them. Speed was very important because new weapons and equipment were being developed quickly. Building infrastructure fast became a key part of war strategies.

A famous example from World War II is the supply road built from Ledo, India, to the Burma Road in 1944. This road was 478 miles long and went through mountains, swamps, and jungles. It opened in 1945. Military engineers also built many of the facilities for the Manhattan Project. This was the secret project that created America's first atomic bombs. New equipment, like armored vehicles that could drive off landing boats, was also invented. These inventions helped troops fight in a complex war on land, sea, and air.

The Korean and Vietnam Wars brought new challenges. Engineers had to adapt to new technology and different types of fighting, like Guerilla warfare. They also faced unfamiliar and tough landscapes. This meant they needed even better mapping and planning skills. They built hundreds of miles of roads and cleared areas in jungles for new military helicopters to land.

After the United States Air Force became a separate branch in 1947, military engineers played a big role in the Cold War. This was a time of tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991. Not much actual fighting happened, but there was always a threat of war. Engineers built huge airfields for bombers, launch sites for missiles, and radar stations for better communication. They also built many facilities for NASA, the space agency.

After the Cold War, military engineering was back on the front lines. Wars like the Persian Gulf War needed a lot of logistical support. This means moving supplies and equipment efficiently. Military engineers also helped design and build important command centers. One example is the Cheyenne Mountain complex in Colorado. This huge underground facility houses NORAD, which watches for threats to North America.

Shortage of Military Engineers

In the 21st century, the U.S. faces a challenge with military engineers. To become a military engineer, you usually need a four-year college degree. These degrees are in fields like civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or in math and science. There aren't enough students graduating with these science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degrees. This causes a shortage of military engineers.

Officials from the United States Department of Defense say that social media, poor credit history, and a lack of interest in engineering contribute to this shortage. Social media can show information about people that is available to everyone. Government jobs, especially in the military, need a lot of private information to be kept secret. The Department of Defense believes social media can make it harder to hire military engineers.

A person's credit history can also affect their chances of getting a job as a military engineer. Credit history can show how reliable someone is. The Department of Defense says that many young people today have poor credit scores, often because of student loan debt.

Also, military engineering jobs require you to be a U.S. citizen. This means the U.S. can't hire engineers from other countries, even if those countries have many engineering graduates. The Department of Defense notes that almost half of engineering graduates in the U.S. were born in other countries, which means they might not be eligible for these specific jobs.

Top Military Engineering Programs

In 2012, a report by US News ranked the engineering programs at the nation's three main military academies very highly. They were all in the top five! About 21% of students graduating from the United States Military Academy study engineering.

Here are some top military engineering programs:

• United States Military Academy (West Point) ranked #3
• United States Air Force Academy ranked #4 (tie)
• United States Naval Academy ranked #4 (tie)

Important Military Engineering Organizations

The oldest military engineering group in the U.S. is the Army Corps of Engineers. It was started during the American Revolutionary War. As the military grew, other engineering groups were formed for each branch.

Here are some important military engineering organizations:

• Army Corps of Engineers
• Society of American Military Engineers
• United States Marine Corps Combat Engineers
• United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC)
• United States Naval Construction Force (Seabees)
• Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)
• Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency
• Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE)
• Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachments (RAID)
• Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (Prime BEEF)

Notable Projects by Military Engineers

Since it was founded, the Army Corps of Engineers has worked on many projects. These include military defense projects and also civilian projects that help the country.

One huge project is the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This is an inland water route built in the early 1900s. It runs for over 3,000 miles along the east and gulf coasts of the U.S. It goes from Norfolk, Virginia to the Florida Keys and then to Brownsville, Texas. This waterway is used for transportation, trade, and fun activities.

Another big project by the Army Corps of Engineers is Hartwell Lake. This lake was built between 1955 and 1963 on the border of Georgia and South Carolina. Hartwell Lake helps with many things:

• It manages flood risks.
• It helps keep water clean.
• It provides water for people to use.
• It produces hydropower (electricity from water).
• It protects wildlife.
• It's a place for recreation (fun activities like boating and fishing).

The Army Corps of Engineers is also in charge of building and maintaining the levee system in southern Louisiana. Much of southern Louisiana is below sea level, which means it can flood easily and land can wash away. The levee system is a series of dams along the Mississippi River that stop the land from flooding.

United States Army Engineers

Military engineers in the U.S. Army are part of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Their motto is "ESSAYONS," which is French for "Let us try." Army engineers include both combat engineers, who work on the front lines, and support engineers, who focus more on building and maintaining things. Most military personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers belong to the Engineer Regiment. This regiment is based at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Here are some of the jobs for Army engineers: Enlisted

• 12B Combat Engineer
  

  Insignia of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
• 12C Bridge Crewmember
• 12D Diver
• 12G Quarrying Specialist
• 12H Construction Engineering Supervisor
• 12K Plumber
• 12M Firefighter
• 12N Horizontal Construction Engineer
• 12P Prime Power Production Specialist
• 12Q Power Line Distribution Specialist (RC)
• 12R Interior Electrician
• 12T Technical Engineer
• 12V Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator
• 12W Carpentry and Masonry Specialist
• 12X General Engineering Supervisor
• 12Y Geospatial Engineer
• 12Z Combat Engineering Senior Sergeant
• 18C Special Forces Engineer Sergeant

Warrant Officer

• 120A Construction Engineer Technician
• 125D Geospatial Information Technician

Officer

• 12A Engineer Officer
• 12D Facilities/Contract Construction Management Engineer (FCCME)

United States Air Force Engineers

Military engineering in the U.S. Air Force is handled by groups like the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, RED HORSE, and Prime BEEF.

Here are some of the jobs for Air Force engineers: Enlisted

• 3E - Civil Engineering
  

  United States Air Force Civil Engineer Badge
  • 3E0X1 - Electrical Systems
  • 3E0X2 - Electrical Power Production
  • 3E1X1 - Heating, Ventilation, AC, and Refrigeration
  • 3E2X1 - Pavements and Construction Equipment
  • 3E3X1 - Structural
  • 3E4X1 - Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance
  • 3E4X3 - Pest Management
  • 3E5X1 - Engineering
  • 3E6X1 - Operations Management
  • 3E7X1 - Fire Protection
  • 3E8X1 - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • 3E9X1 - Emergency Management

Officer

• 32EX - Civil Engineer

United States Navy Engineers

The U.S. Navy gets its military engineering support from the Civil Engineer Corps and the Seabees.

Here are some of the jobs for Navy engineers: Enlisted

• Builder
• Construction Electrician
• Construction Mechanic
• Engineering Aide
• Equipment Operator
• Steelworker
• Utilitiesman

Warrant Officer

• 753X Civil Engineer Corps Warrant Officer

Officer

• 510x Civil Engineer Corps Officer
• 653x Civil Engineer Corps Limited Duty Officer (LDO)

United States Marine Corps Engineers

The U.S. Marine Corps needs combat engineers, just like the Army. These are the United States Marine Corps Combat Engineers.

Here are some of the jobs for Marine Corps engineers: Enlisted

• 1300 Basic Engineer, Construction, Facilities, & Equipment Marine – GYSGT-PVT
• 1316 Metal Worker – SSGT-PVT
• 1341 Engineer Equipment Mechanic – SSGT-PVT
• 1342 Small Craft Mechanic – SSGT-LCPL
• 1343 Assault Breacher Vehicle Mechanic – SSGT-LCPL
• 1345 Engineer Equipment Operator – SSGT-PVT
• 1349 Engineer Equipment Chief – MGYSGT-GYSGT
• 1361 Engineer Assistant – GYSGT-PVT
• 1371 Combat Engineer – MGYSGT-PVT
• 1372 Assault Breacher Vehicle Operator – MGYSGT-PFC
• 1391 Bulk Fuel Specialist – MGYSGT-PVT

Officer

• 1301 Basic Combat Engineer Officer
• 1302 Combat Engineer Officer
• 1310 Engineer Equipment Officer
• 1330 Facilities Management Officer
• 1390 Bulk Fuel Officer

Enlisted

• 1100 Basic Utilities Marine – GYSGT-PVT
• 1141 Electrician – SSGT-PVT
• 1142 Electrical Equipment Repair Specialist – SSGT-PVT
• 1161 Refrigeration Mechanic – SSGT-PVT
• 1169 Utilities Chief – MGYSGT-GYSGT
• 1171 Basic Water Support Technician – SSGT-PVT

Officer

• 1101 Basic Utilities Officer
• 1120 Utilities Officer

United States Coast Guard Engineers

The Coast Guard also has engineers, though their jobs are sometimes less formal for enlisted members. They have a Civil Engineering Command, which includes six regional offices. These offices handle maintenance projects for Coast Guard facilities. This is a common first job for new Civil Engineering officers.

These offices include:

• Civil Engineering Unit (CEU): These units are part of the regional offices and work on maintenance projects.
• Facilities Engineering: This group helps manage facilities and oversees daily operations at bases and training centers.
• Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center (SILC): This command creates procedures and oversees the CEUs.
• Facilities Design and Construction Center (FDCC): This group handles all new construction projects for the Coast Guard. They are involved in planning, design, contracts, and building.
• Coast Guard Headquarters: Engineers here help shape policies and manage programs for the entire Civil Engineering branch.

The Coast Guard also has Joint-Expeditionary Engineering teams. One example is the Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachments (RAID). RAID teams were Coast Guard members who worked with the U.S. Army and Seabees in war zones. Their job was to help safely ship materials, especially hazardous materials, in and out of these areas. They made sure hazardous items were properly prepared and inspected for shipment back to U.S. ports. These teams traveled to different Forward Operating Bases, making them some of the few Coast Guardsmen to work so close to the front lines with the Army.

Enlisted jobs related to Engineering Detachments:

• Damage Controlman
• Machinery Technician
• Diver