SAVANNAH, Ga. – Engineering encompasses more than demolition and construction – tearing things down and building them up.
That’s what nearly two dozen junior officers and senior non-commissioned officers from Fort Stewart’s 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion gathered during a two-day leadership development program March 3-4.
Participants got a glimpse of Corps missions during a tour of operations at Thurmond Dam’s power plant and a site visit to Hunter Army Airfield’s resident engineer office. District leaders shared contrasting insight on USACE organizational structures and provided overviews of major projects including the Savannah harbor deepening and fuel island upgrades.
The crew of mostly combat engineers learned about projects not typically encountered on Army posts, and the scope of opportunities offered across Corps projects worldwide. Fort Stewart’s LDP underpins district outreach priorities to expose relevant audiences to the versatility of Corps missions and career opportunities.
The Corps’ management of the nation’s waterways complements 1st Lt. Carley Vernon’s degree in natural resource engineering and her aspiration to move into watershed work, the 10th BEB executive officer said.
In addition to punctuating consequential Corps projects, the platform also gave district leaders the opportunity to sell USACE as a rewarding work center for future prospects.
“It’s especially important because as Soldiers ascend through the ranks, positions winnow,” said Sgt. 1st Class Demetrius Moore, former 542nd Forward Engineer Support Team non-commissioned officer in charge. “So promoting Corps careers is mutually beneficial for both the organization and individuals.”
The 10th BEB includes more than 70 military occupational specialties that collectively provide support to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, a component of the storied 3rd Infantry Division. The battalion serves with the 1st ABCT as part of European Rotational Force, which allows Soldiers to train and serve with European allies in its peacetime and war missions.