Brian Hill

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 18, 2022) The U.S. Army Engineer School will host the annual Engineer Regimental Week celebration from April 20 to May 1 at Fort Leonard Wood.

This year’s theme is “Developing the Engineer Force for 2030 and Beyond.”

Key events for the week include the Best Sapper Competition, scheduled for April 22 through 25; an Army Engineer Association industry exhibition on April 26 and 27; the Senior Engineer Leader Council on April 27 and 28; an Engineer Family Day event on April 27; the Fallen Sapper Tribute on April 28; the Engineer Regimental Run on April 29; and the Engineer Regimental Ball on April 29.

“With the COVID-19 challenges over the last two years, Engineer Week provides an opportunity to reconnect and enhance dialogue about the future of the regiment,” said Col. Dan Hibner, the 99th U.S. Army Engineer School commandant. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate our heritage and recognize the accomplishments of the Best Sapper Competition competitors and regimental-award recipients.”

The following is an overview of each event:

  • Best Sapper Competition, April 22 through 25: The 15th Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition consists of 36 events designed to test the critical skills and knowledge of two-person teams of combat engineers, as well as the agility, endurance and resilience of each competitor. The winning team will be recognized at an awards ceremony that begins at 11 a.m. on April 26 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium. For additional information, visit the BSC Facebook page.

 

  • Army Engineer Association industry exhibition, April 26 and 27: The Army Engineer Association will sponsor industry exhibits from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 26 and 27 at Nutter Field House. The event showcases some of the latest engineering technology, and more than 50 agencies are slated to participate. The event is open to anyone with access to Fort Leonard Wood.

 

  • Senior Engineer Leadership Council, April 27 and 28 (by invitation only): The two-day SELC is a key component of the week, where the regiment looks at ways to ready and modernize the force by sharing information, documenting lessons learned and comparing best practices. Additionally, the SELC serves as an opportunity for the leaders of the Engineer Regiment to build consensus on critical issues. This year’s SELC will kick off at 8:15 a.m. on April 27 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium, when Hibner is scheduled to address the regiment. Maj. Gen. Richard Heitkamp, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be on hand to address the council.

 

  • Engineer Family Day, April 27: The Engineer Family Day event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at Training Area 244. During the event, spouses and family members 16 years and older can learn more about what it’s like to be an Army Engineer. The event includes demonstrations of Army Engineer operations and displays of equipment, as well as lunch provided by the USO and closing remarks from Engineer Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. John Brennan. The event is open to military spouses of all services, and those interested in attending should email Capt. Tyler Gates at tyler.j.gates6.mil@army.mil for registration information.

 

  • Fallen Sapper Tribute, April 28: A Fallen Sapper Tribute to memorialize the lives and service of fallen engineers lost in war and support operations is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on April 28 at the Sapper Memorial Grove. The event includes remarks from Hibner, a rendering of honors and a wreath-laying ceremony. The event is open to anyone with access to Fort Leonard Wood, and will also be livestreamed on the Fort Leonard Wood Facebook page.

 

  • Engineer Regimental Run, April 29: The morning of April 29 starts with the Engineer Regimental Run, from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m., starting on Gammon Field.

 

  • Engineer Regimental Ball and Awards Ceremony, April 29 (by invitation only): The week concludes with the Engineer Regimental Ball and Awards Ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m. April 29 in Nutter Field House. Doors open at 6 p.m. During the ball, the selected recipients of the Itschner, Sturgis, Van Autreve, Munson, Outstanding Warrant Officer and Outstanding Civilian awards will be recognized. Additionally, the Distinguished Sapper and Miner Award will be presented to the families of Maj. Gen. Mark Yenter and Command Sgt. Maj. Ioakimo Falaniko to recognize their service and contributions to the Engineer Regiment. Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the 55th Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will provide a keynote address and present the prestigious Gold de Fleury medal to two recipients.
(U.S. Army Photo)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission