WASHINGTON — In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the term sapper carries weight. For 250 years, sappers have served as elite combat engineers, supporting frontline infantry in every war throughout American history.

“A sapper, in a historic sense, goes back to the 17th century. It’s a French term,” said USACE Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick.

Back then, military engineers would dig trenches to breach enemy defenses without direct exposure to enemy fire.

“Those trenches were called saps. The Soldiers that dug them were sappers,” adds Brig. Gen. Joseph Goetz, USACE Pacific Ocean Division commanding general.

The tradition of sappers dates to the American Revolution, where military engineers built critical infrastructure like roads and fortifications. “It really has its roots in trench warfare that started very early, earlier than the American Army,” says Col. Francis Pera, USACE Baltimore District commander.

Today, sappers are still combat engineers, trained to execute the most demanding and vital battlefield roles: “An engineer leader that is an expert in mobility, countermobility and survivability,” Galick adds.

That means clearing paths for friendly forces to maneuver, creating obstacles to slow or stop enemy advances, and building fortifications that protect Soldiers during battle. “That’s really about how we create pathways for maneuver,” explains Pera. “How we stop enemy movement, and then how we buy time and space for our team while we’re in the middle of a battle.”

“They’re advisors to maneuver commanders that put engineer effects into place on a battlefield so that we can win,” adds Goetz.

Sappers also operate as infantry when needed, fully engaged in modern offensive, defensive and peacekeeping operations. “A sapper is really the cutting edge of the nation’s sword,” says Col. Christopher Klein, commander of the USACE Middle East District. “They are the best of the best in the engineer corps, who lead the infantry when the infantry even gets in trouble.”

The Sapper Leader Course is a grueling 28-day program that spans the terrain of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the Mark Twain National Forest. It teaches mobility, countermobility, survivability, demolitions, engineer reconnaissance and other technical skills at the small unit level. The course provides maneuver commanders with a force multiplier to succeed in both competition and conflict.

The course includes two phases: general skills and patrolling. “Techniques, from advanced demolitions into land navigation, and the basics in waterborne (and) airborne operations (are part of phase one),” says Maj. Blake Jones from USACE New England District.

In the patrolling phase, leadership is tested under extreme stress. “The course is very, very intense,” says Maj. Charles Martin, USACE Baltimore District Real Estate Field Office realty specialist. “It will push you to your limits.”

That intensity is intentional. “Set a good baseline, so when you have to do it in real life, you do the right things,” says Lt. Col. Nicholas Lorusso, USACE New England District deputy commander.

“Sapper School showed me that I can be hungry, I can be tired, I can push my body to the margins and still make sound decisions; sound technical decisions and sound tactical decisions, in a stressful environment,” said Lt. Col. Lamar Cantelou, USACE aide de camp. “And that’s why you need to do it.”

In 2024, the Sapper School had a graduation rate of just under 50%.

“As an engineer, you learn to become almost a Swiss Army knife,” says Capt. Walter Dezir, USACE Honolulu District project engineer. “And the Sapper Leader Course is all about teaching you to be able to function in a variety of different weather conditions and situations.”

Earning the Sapper Tab is a mark of distinction that signals mastery in combat engineering and leadership. “There’s a credibility to other engineer leaders that wear the tab,” said Galick. “When you interact with our maneuver counterparts, they truly believe that an engineer leader that wears a Sapper Tab is a master of their craft and they are the expert engineer on the battlefield.”

The U.S. Army Engineer School (USAES), established in 1866, formalized the training and development of combat engineers, ensuring sappers remain a crucial component of U.S. military strategy. The course started in 1985 and became fully accredited as a United States Army Training and Doctrine Command course in 2004. That same year, on June 28, the Army officially authorized the wearing of the Sapper Tab, an initiative approved by then-Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers.

Since 2005, USAES has hosted the Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, challenging the physical prowess, mental fortitude and technical skills of sappers. Competitors cover 50 miles in 50 hours while executing a myriad of tactical and technical tasks. This year’s competition, taking place April 25–29, celebrates both the 40th anniversary of the Sapper Leader Course and the 250th anniversary of the Engineer Regiment.

Retired Lt. Gen. Flowers is quoted: “When our nation needs a tough job done, they call the Army. When our Army needs a tough job done, they call on the sappers.”

After 250 years, the role of the sapper continues to evolve, but remains essential to military operations worldwide. Their expertise in breaching obstacles, laying and clearing mines, and constructing field defenses makes them indispensable to military operations and a force multiplier on the battlefield.

Klein arguably captures the unique duality of sappers best, saying, “Sapper combines the nerdiness of being an engineer with the badass of being in the Army.”

By Kathryne Gest

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) – Soldiers assigned to the Presidio of Monterey recently marked the transition from the U.S. Army Materiel Command to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence during a traditional patching ceremony in the PoM headquarters building. The five soldiers exchanged their AMC shoulder sleeve insignia patches for the ICoE patch, signifying their integration into the ICoE command.

The re-patching was prompted by the January 2025 EXORD 123-25 by the Secretary of the Army, “Update to U.S. Army Installation Management Structure.” This alignment reduces bureaucracy, clarifies responsibilities, and unifies efforts under a single command.

Maj. Gen. Richard Appelhans, commanding general of ICoE and Fort Huachuca, addressed soldiers at both locations via video teleconference from Arizona. “More than just symbolic, this patching is about creating unity of command and unity of effort,” Appelhans said. “Despite the many challenges, you accomplish the mission daily, delivering first-class service and support to your communities.”

Col. Dan Artino, Presidio of Monterey garrison commander, said the ceremony marks a significant milestone. “This transition reaffirms our commitment to the warfighters, families, and civilians who train, work, and live on our installation,” Artino said.

The alignment, Artino said, will integrate ICoE’s mission priorities with PoM’s service integration. “This move strengthens our relationship with our senior commander, Maj. Gen. Appelhans, and allows for even greater collaboration and support,” he said.

With the transition complete, the Presidio of Monterey stands ready to support the broader transformation, modernization and readiness of the U.S. Army.

By Jennifer Leggett

The 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB) plays a pivotal role in enhancing medical capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, fostering stronger partnerships and improving the readiness of allied and partner nations. Through collaborative training, operational support, and knowledge sharing, 5th SFAB’s medical teams help partner forces advance their trauma care, casualty evacuation, and medical logistics, ensuring greater resilience during both peacetime and large-scale combat operations (LSCO).

Building Medical Readiness Through Collaboration

Since 2023, the 5th SFAB has conducted over 70 medical assessments and numerous training events with nine Indo-Pacific partners. These engagements focus on improving tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), prolonged field care (PFC), whole blood programs, and medical evacuation systems. By introducing advanced trauma care techniques and refining medical processes, 5th SFAB advisors help partner forces reduce casualty fatality rates, increase return-to-duty rates, and enhance overall battlefield survivability.

Advancing Tactical Medical Training

One of the cornerstone initiatives is training partner forces in TCCC and PFC. These programs teach critical skills for stabilizing casualties and providing lifesaving care in austere environments, ensuring that medical personnel can sustain injured soldiers until evacuation. Additionally, the implementation of whole blood programs improves trauma survival rates, aligning partner force capabilities with proven U.S. military practices.

Enhancing Medical Evacuation and Logistics

Effective casualty evacuation is essential during crises. 5th SFAB advisors work closely with partner forces to optimize evacuation routes, establish Patient Evacuation Coordination Cells (PECCs), and ensure seamless coordination between military and civilian healthcare facilities. By embedding medical advisors within partner force headquarters, the brigade enhances real-time reporting and facilitates bilateral evacuation requests, strengthening interoperability and reducing response times.

Supporting Medical Logistics and Supply Chains

Sustaining medical operations during high-casualty scenarios requires robust supply chains. 5th SFAB advisors collaborate with partner force logistics teams to assess supply levels, forecast consumption rates, and address Class VIII medical supply needs. By establishing pre-positioned stockpiles and implementing walking blood banks, partner forces can maintain critical care capabilities even in contested environments. The brigade also advocates for agreements such as Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements (ACSAs) to ensure reliable resupply during operations.

Building Sustainable Medical Capabilities

The 5th SFAB’s approach emphasizes long-term capacity building through train-the-trainer programs and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs). By empowering partner nations to develop and sustain their own medical training and operational systems, the brigade fosters enduring self-reliance and strengthens regional stability. Additionally, the use of tools like the Medical Advisor Specific Tool (MEDASAT) ensures consistent progress tracking and continuous improvement.

Strengthening Regional Resilience

Through its advisory efforts, the 5th SFAB is enhancing the medical readiness and interoperability of Indo-Pacific partner forces, ensuring they can respond effectively to both peacetime emergencies and combat operations. By sharing expertise, improving casualty care, and optimizing logistics, the brigade is helping to save lives and strengthen alliances across the region, reinforcing collective security and promoting long-term stability.

Conclusion

The 5th SFAB’s medical advising mission in the Indo-Pacific demonstrates the power of collaboration in strengthening regional security and resilience. By improving trauma care, enhancing evacuation systems, and supporting sustainable medical logistics, the brigade plays a crucial role in ensuring that partner forces are prepared to save lives and sustain operations during both crises and conflicts. These partnerships not only enhance the capabilities of individual nations but also contribute to the collective readiness of the Indo-Pacific region, fostering a network of allies capable of responding swiftly and effectively to any challenge.

By LTC Matthew Holtkamp

FORT MOORE, Ga. — U.S. Army advisors assigned to the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade successfully completed the Training Readiness Assessment Program held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2024, on Fort Moore, Georgia, validating their critical skills to support foreign security force partners across Central and South America.

The Training Readiness Assessment Program, known as TRAP, is a comprehensive and rigorous gated training program, assesses each advisor’s proficiency in key skills needed for their deployment missions. Throughout the week-long program, advisors in the unit’s Force Package 25-2 were evaluated on various tactical and technical competencies, including calling for artillery fire, conducting casualty treatment and evaluation, operating communications equipment, and qualifying with the M4 and M17 weapon systems.

“Leaders need to understand the current skills and fitness of their formation. Due to the work we do, in the organization we do it, success or failure comes down to individual Advisors in the field. TRAP provides a venue for assessing each Advisor’s strengths and shortcomings in a standardized, mission-focused exercise. The insight gained from TRAP helps command teams determine future training requirements and organizational priorities,” said Capt. William Romine, a U.S. Army advisor assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st SFAB.

The advisors also demonstrated physical readiness by completing several physically demanding events, including ruck marches and a station-based fitness event. The latter challenged advisors to move from station to station, performing individual tasks to reinforce their ability to operate under pressure and validate their skills before advancing.

This emphasis on physical fitness and stamina is integral to the advisors’ roles, ensuring they’re prepared for the high-stakes environments they may face while deployed.

“TRAP is essential because it ensures advisors have the individual skills necessary to advise and support our partner forces. From combat skills to physical capability to military professionalism, TRAP provides the final check of each advisor’s attributes prior to moving into team-focused, collective training,” said Romine.

“I particularly enjoyed the combination of physical tests and marksmanship. These two facets of soldiering are significant to me, and it has been a while since I had the opportunity to focus on my proficiency in these areas,” he added.

Each skill demonstrated by the advisors during TRAP is closely aligned with the mission requirements they will face in their assignments abroad, if they were to deploy in a large-scale combat operation.

The ability to effectively call for artillery support is critical in joint operations with partner forces. Similarly, their training in medical response and casualty treatment helps advisors remain self-sufficient and responsive in unpredictable situations. Effective communications skills, tested during the program, further enable advisors to coordinate and integrate with foreign security partners seamlessly.

The TRAP signals the end of their individual training phase, and the advisors will now advance to collective training where they will receive further training on assess, liaise, support, and advise operations in competition, crisis, and conflict scenarios.

As Force Package 25-2, the 1st SFAB advisors are preparing to deploy to Central and South America, equipped and validated to support partner nation forces across Central and South, strengthening alliances and building partner capacity to address regional security challenges.

By MAJ Jason Elmore