Evolution of the Engineer in Combat

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This paper discusses the various roles of Engineers throughout the history of warfare. Upon reading, you will see the transition from non-combatants that used tools to build and construct fortifications, to full combat soldiers capable of fighting just as well as they could build. The periods covered are: the Roman era, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I & II, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism (Iraq & Afghanistan). When discussing each period, I focused on newly developed tasks or skills that were necessary for that particular conflict. Also discussed is the modern day Engineer and how they have had to operate in two completely different environments [Iraq (urban) and Afghanistan (rural)] while accomplishing a very similar mission (route clearance). Keywords: Combat engineer, Roman legionnaires, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Global War on Terrorism Evolution of the Engineer in Combat Combat engineers have been a vital part of every military force since the beginning of warfare. Though they haven’t always been referred to as “combat engineers”, these soldiers’ actions and outside the box thinking have made battlefield commanders successful during conflicts and war. The need for such soldiers is seen dating back to the Roman legionaries. The Romans were some of the first military men to understand the need for specific groups or units to be set-aside as engineers in order to survive battle. These skills would later evolve to include the ability to fight as infantryman when not engaged in engineering tasks. The Roman military understood that fighting alone would not contribute to the expansion of their empire. The army could only sustain itself fo... ... middle of paper ... ...an-empire.net /army/army.html#engineering Gorner, P. (1985, June 28). Life of a tunnel rat: Fighting fear in ‘Nam. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-06-28/features /8502110841_1_cu-chi-american-tunnel-rats-john-penycate Heathcote, C.W. (1959, February). General Chevalier Louis Lebègue dePresle Duportail (Abri. ed.). The Picket Post. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served /duport.html March 11, 1779: Congress establishes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-establishes-the-us-army-corps-of -engineers. The role of the engineers. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.usace.army.mil/About/History /ArmyEngineersintheCivilWar.aspx World War I. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.usace.army.mil/About/History /BriefHistoryoftheCorps/WorldWarI.aspx

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