By Brian Hill, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 12, 2023) — The U.S. Army Engineer School will host the annual Engineer Regimental Week celebration from April 20 to 30 at Fort Leonard Wood.
This year’s theme is “Regiment 2040,” and key events for the week include the Best Sapper Competition, scheduled for April 21 through 24; an Army Engineer Association industry exhibition, April 25 through 27; the Senior Engineer Leaders Forum, April 27 and 28; an Engineer Family Readiness Group Day, April 26; the Fallen Sapper Tribute, April 27; the Engineer Regimental Run, April 27; an awards ceremony, April 28; and the Engineer Regimental Ball, April 28.
“Regimental Week is a celebration of all things Engineer here at our home, Fort Leonard Wood,” said Col. Joseph Goetz, USAES commandant. “It’s a chance to reconnect, engage with industry and gather leaders from across the Engineer Regiment to discuss its future within the Army of 2030 and beyond.”
The following is an overview of each event:
Best Sapper Competition, April 21 through 24: The 16th Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition consists of 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 25 at Nutter Field House. For additional information, visit the BSC Facebook page.
Army Engineer Association Industry Exhibition, April 25 through 27: The Army Engineer Association will sponsor industry exhibits from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25 and 26, and 8 a.m. to noon on April 27 at Nutter Field House. The event showcases some of the latest engineering technology, and about 40 agencies are slated to participate. The event is open to anyone with access to Fort Leonard Wood.
Senior Engineer Leadership Forum, April 27 and 28 (by invitation only): The two-day SELF 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 SELF serves as an opportunity for the leaders of the Engineer Regiment to build consensus on critical issues. This year’s SELF will kick off at 8 a.m. on April 27 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium, when Goetz is scheduled to address the regiment.
Engineer Family Readiness Group Day, April 26: The Engineer Family Readiness Group Day event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 at Training Area 137. During the event, spouses and family members 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 Goetz. The event is open to military spouses of all services, and those interested in attending should contact Capt. Miguel Zepeda at 573.596.1925, or by email at miguel.zepeda.mil@army.mil for registration information. Those wishing to attend can register up to the day of the event.
Fallen Sapper Tribute, April 27: 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 27 at the Sapper Memorial Grove. The event includes remarks from Goetz, 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 27: The morning of April 27 begins at 5:30 a.m., with the Engineer Regimental Run, starting on Gammon Field.
Commandant Emeritus, April 28 (by invitation only): Past senior leaders of the Engineer Regiment will have the opportunity to see some of the equipment and interact with current students and instructors here to gain a better understanding of modern USAES training.
Awards Ceremony, April 28 (by invitation only): The 55th Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, will speak at 12:30 p.m. in Lincoln Hall Auditorium, and the Engineer Regimental Awards Ceremony follows at 2 p.m. The selected recipients of the Itschner, Sturgis, Van Autreve, Munson, Outstanding Warrant Officer, Outstanding Civilian and Sapper and Miner of Distinction awards will be recognized.
Engineer Regimental Ball, April 28: The Engineer Regimental Ball begins at 6 p.m. on April 28 in Nutter Field House. Tickets are available through Sunday at this link. Call the MSCoE Protocol Office at 573.563.8070/6145/6152 for more information on attending the ball.
Media wishing to cover the Best Sapper Competition, or Engineer Regimental Week events, should contact the Public Affairs Office at 573.563.5038 by 3 p.m. Thursday, April 20.
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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