U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | |
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Active | 11 June 1775 – present |
Country | United States of America |
Allegiance | United States Army |
Branch | Regular Army |
Size | 37,000 civilian and military (approx. 2%) members |
Garrison/HQ | Washington, D.C. |
Motto(s) | Essayons (Let Us Try) |
Colors | Scarlet and White |
Website | www |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers |
Notable commanders |
COL Richard Gridley, COL Joseph Swift, COL Alexander Macomb, Jr., BG William Louis Marshall, MG Richard Delafield, BG Joseph Totten, BG Henry Robert, LTG Edgar Jadwin, LTG Leif J. Sverdrup |
Insignia | |
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia | |
Branch Insignia | |
Regimental Insignia |
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), also sometimes shortened to CoE is a U.S. federal agency under the Department of Defense and a major Army command made up of some 37,000 civilian and military personnel, making it one of the world's largest public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. Although generally associated with dams, canals and flood protection in the United States, USACE is involved in a wide range of public works throughout the world. The Corps of Engineers provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, and provides 24% of U.S. hydropower capacity.
The corps' mission is to "Deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our Nation's security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters."
Their most visible missions include:
The history of United States Army Corps of Engineers can be traced back to 16 June 1775, when the Continental Congress organized an army with a chief engineer and two assistants.Colonel Richard Gridley became General George Washington's first chief engineer; however, it was not until 1779 that Congress created a separate Corps of Engineers. One of its first tasks was to build fortifications near Boston at Bunker Hill. The first Corps of Engineers was mostly composed of French subjects who had been hired by General Washington from the service of Louis XVI.