By Marti Yoshida
Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 28, 2019) – The U.S. Army Engineer School is planning its annual Engineer Regimental Week celebration April 8 through 12 at Fort Leonard Wood.
This year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap to 2035.”
The week’s focal point is the Senior Engineer Leadership Council, providing an opportunity for leaders of the Engineer Regiment to share information and build consensus on critical issues. The two-day SELC is set for April 11 and 12.
“The SELC forums and speakers get us to our theme,” Brig. Gen. Robert Whittle, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, said. “Events like this help us see ourselves and our value.”
“There is a lot of pride in our regiment,” Whittle added. “The state of the Engineer Regiment is strong and we must continue on that path to provide mobility, counter-mobility and survivability skillsets, which enable our maneuver forces to win.”
In combination with the SELC, key events for the week include the Best Sapper Competition scheduled for April 8 through 10; the Army Engineer Association’s Industry Exhibition set for April 9 and 10; a Family Readiness Group event for spouses and service members on April 9; the Fallen Sapper Tribute slated for April 11; the Engineer Regimental Run on April 12; and the Engineer Regimental Ball and Awards Ceremony April 12.
Following is an overview of each event:
Best Sapper Competition, April 8 through 10: The opening ceremony for the 13th annual Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition starts at noon April 7 at Training Area 160. The event, where up to 50 teams, travel 50 miles in 50 hours, while completing engineer tasks, officially kicks off at 10 a.m. April 8. Spectators are welcome and spectator packets will be available daily at https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/units-tenants/USAES/Sapper/BSC. For additional information, visit the Best Sapper Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BestSapper/.
Army Engineer Association’s Industry Exhibition, April 9 and 10: Engineers will have the opportunity to evaluate new technologies at the Army Engineer Association annual Industry Exhibition April 9 and 10 at Nutter Field House. The venue will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Family Readiness Group Day, April 9: The annual Engineer Family Readiness Group event is planned from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 9 at Training Area 250. Military spouses and service members are welcome to attend. The day will feature a team-building experience that involves a closer look at capabilities within the Engineer Regiment, vehicle displays, and more. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to complete all events. RSVP is requested on or before April 5 by calling Capt. Hardin, 35th Engineer Battalion, at 573.596.5371, or by visiting https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=438763&k=06624A0E7D54 for registration and event details. Cost is $20 and includes a T-shirt and lunch. Pre-register early to guarantee T-shirt size of choice. Participants can pay the registration fee online through the event invitation link above; at the 35th Engr. Bn. Headquarters, Building 6100, Room 105; or at the event. Attendees must be 18 years or older to participate.
Senior Engineer Leadership Council, April 11 and 12 (by invitation only)
Commandant’s Address to the Regiment, April 11: USAES commandant will address the Engineer Regiment at 9:15 a.m. April 11 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium. Immediately following the commandant’s address, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Milhorn, is scheduled to speak from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Chief’s Address to the Regiment, April 12: The 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, is scheduled to address the regiment at 1:30 p.m. April 12 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
Fallen Sapper Tribute, April 11: A Fallen Sapper Tribute to memorialize the life and service of fallen engineers lost in war and support operations will be hosted by the 554th Engineer Battalion at 6 p.m. April 11 at the Engineer Memorial Grove. The event includes a moment of silence, firing of volleys and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Engineer Regimental Run April 12: Members of the Engineer Regiment will rise and shine for the regimental run, hosted by the 31st Engineer Battalion, which steps off from Gammon Field at 5:30 a.m. April 12.
Engineer Regimental Ball & Awards Ceremony April 12: A hallmark of the week is the Engineer Regimental Ball and Awards Ceremony scheduled for April 12 at Nutter Field House. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and are limited to the first 700 registrants on a first-come, first served basis. It is anticipated tickets will sell out. Register online from the Engineer Week web page at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/units-tenants/USAES/usaes-history/ENREGWK/ball, or RSVP by calling the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Protocol Office at 573.563.8071.
“Engineer Regimental Week is a special time to celebrate our heritage, honor our past and navigate the way to 2035,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick, USAES. “We look forward to having the time to renew bonds within the Engineer Regiment, recognize accomplishments and build the bridge toward future readiness and force modernization.”
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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 more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 82,000 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 and Air Force detachments 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.