Army Corps of Engineers
Entity responsible for the levees that failed during Hurricane Katrina.
First Mentioned
9/27/2026, 4:54:25 AM
Last Updated
9/27/2026, 4:57:10 AM
Research Retrieved
9/27/2026, 4:57:10 AM
Summary
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the military engineering branch of the U.S. Army, serving as one of the world's largest public engineering, design, and construction management agencies with approximately 37,000 civilian and military personnel. Its primary missions include the Engineer Regiment, military construction, and civil works. The Engineer Regiment, commanded by a lieutenant general known as the chief of engineers, comprises various specialty units, including combat engineers, who are responsible for breaching obstacles, constructing defensive positions and bridges, and clearing routes. The military construction mission involves building and maintaining facilities on military bases worldwide, overseen by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for installations, environment, and energy. Historically, the corps was authorized by the Continental Congress in 1775 and formally established in 1802, later merging with the Corps of Topographical Engineers in 1863. The civil works mission, managed by the assistant secretary of the Army, focuses on navigation, flood and storm damage protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration, as well as administering the Clean Water Act Section 404 program. USACE oversees the construction, operation, and maintenance of dams, canals, and flood protection systems in the U.S., many of which also serve as public recreation facilities and provide significant hydropower capacity. The corps's overarching mission is to deliver vital public and military engineering services to strengthen national security, energize the economy, and reduce disaster risks. Notably, the Army Corps of Engineers has been cited in discussions regarding its role in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USACE had a budget of $7.8 billion in fiscal year 2021.
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View on WikipediaUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the military engineering branch of the United States Army. A Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), it has three primary mission areas: Engineer Regiment, military construction, and civil works. USACE has 37,000 civilian and military personnel, making it one of the world's largest public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. The USACE workforce is approximately 97% civilian and 3% active duty military. The civilian workforce is mainly located in the United States, Europe, and in select Middle East office locations. Civilians do not function as active duty military and are not required to be in active war and combat zones; however, volunteer (with pay) opportunities do exist for civilians to do so. The day-to-day activities of the three mission areas are administered by a lieutenant general known as the chief of engineers/commanding general. The chief of engineers commands the Engineer Regiment, comprising combat engineer, rescue, construction, dive, and other specialty units, and answers directly to the chief of staff of the Army. Combat engineers, sometimes called sappers, form an integral part of the Army's combined arms team and are found in all Army service components: Regular Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. Their duties are to breach obstacles; construct fighting positions, fixed/floating bridges, and obstacles and defensive positions; place and detonate explosives; conduct route clearance operations; emplace and detect landmines; and fight as provisional infantry when required. For the military construction mission, the chief of engineers is directed and supervised by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for installations, environment, and energy, whom the President appoints and the Senate confirms. Military construction relates to construction on military bases and worldwide installations. On 16 June 1775, the Continental Congress, gathered in Philadelphia, granted authority for the creation of a "chief engineer for the Army". Congress authorized a corps of engineers for the United States on 1 March 1779. The corps as it is known today came into being on 16 March 1802, when the president was authorized to "organize and establish a Corps of Engineers ... that the said Corps ... shall be stationed at West Point in the State of New York and shall constitute a Military Academy." A Corps of Topographical Engineers, authorized on 4 July 1838, merged with the Corps of Engineers in March 1863. Civil works are managed and supervised by the assistant secretary of the Army. Army civil works include three U.S. Congress-authorized business lines: navigation, flood and storm damage protection, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. Civil works is also tasked with administering the Clean Water Act Section 404 program, including recreation, hydropower, and water supply at USACE flood control reservoirs, and environmental infrastructure. The civil works staff oversee construction, operation, and maintenance of dams, canals and flood protection in the U.S., as well as a wide range of public works throughout the world. Some of its dams, reservoirs, and flood control projects also serve as public outdoor recreation facilities. Its hydroelectric projects provide 24% of U.S. hydropower capacity. The Corps of Engineers is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has a budget of $7.8 billion (FY2021). The corps's 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." Its most visible civil works missions include: Planning, designing, building, and operating locks and dams. Other civil engineering projects include flood control, beach nourishment, and dredging for waterway navigation. Design and construction of flood protection systems through various federal mandates. Design and construction management of military facilities for the Army, Air Force, Army Reserve, and Air Force Reserve as well as other Department of Defense and federal government agencies. Environmental regulation and ecosystem restoration.
Web Search Results
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) | Engineering | Research Starters | EBSCOhost
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal agency that was established on March 16, 1802, primarily to train military engineers at West Point, New York, while also addressing coastal defense needs. Over the years, its role has evolved significantly, particularly regarding water resource management and infrastructure development in the United States. In the early 19th century, the Corps gained responsibilities for river navigation and civil works following a Supreme Court ruling that expanded federal power in interstate commerce. Initially focused on development without much regard for conservation, the Corps later began to incorporate environmental considerations into its planning and operations, especially after the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 emphasized [...] ## Full Article DATE: Established 1802 The US Army Corps of Engineers has historically been one of the most important government agencies affecting the development, use, and conservation of natural resources, especially water resources. Since its founding in 1802, the organization has engaged in a multitude of civil and military activities. It has sometimes been in conflict with other agencies with overlapping responsibilities. ### Background The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was established by an act of Congress on March 16, 1802. This legislation stationed the group at West Point, New York, where, in addition to performing work on coastal defenses, it was to operate a military academy that would train critically needed engineers. [...] 3 of 3 ## Full Article DATE: Established 1802 The US Army Corps of Engineers has historically been one of the most important government agencies affecting the development, use, and conservation of natural resources, especially water resources. Since its founding in 1802, the organization has engaged in a multitude of civil and military activities. It has sometimes been in conflict with other agencies with overlapping responsibilities. ### Background The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was established by an act of Congress on March 16, 1802. This legislation stationed the group at West Point, New York, where, in addition to performing work on coastal defenses, it was to operate a military academy that would train critically needed engineers.
- Federal Register :: Agencies - Engineers Corps
Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 34,000 dedicated Civilians and Soldiers delivering engineering services to customers in more than 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability as a guiding principle, our disciplined Corps team is working diligently to strengthen our Nation's security by building and maintaining America's infrastructure and providing military facilities where our servicemembers train, work and live. We are also researching and developing technology for our war fighters while protecting America's interests abroad by using our engineering expertise to promote stability and improve quality of life. We are energizing the economy by dredging America's waterways to support the movement of critical commodities and providing recreation [...] Since then, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has responded to changing defense requirements and played an integral part in the development of the country. Throughout the 19th century, the Corps built coastal fortifications, surveyed roads and canals, eliminated navigational hazards, explored and mapped the Western frontier, and constructed buildings and monuments in the Nation's capital. While the mission and tasks have evolved with the needs and priorities of the Nation, the dedication and commitment of the workforce has remained constant. [...] Background and more details are available in the Search & Navigation guide. # agency logo Engineers Corps Subscribe The Corps story began more than 200 years ago when Congress established the Continental Army with a provision for a chief engineer on June 16, 1775. The Army established the Corps of Engineers as a separate, permanent branch on March 16, 1802, and gave the engineers responsibility for founding and operating the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
- United States Army Corps of Engineers - Wikipedia
From 1794 to 1802, the engineers were combined with the artillery as the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers. ### 19th century [edit] See also: United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers The Corps of Engineers, as it is known today, was established on 16 March 1802, when President Thomas Jefferson signed the Military Peace Establishment Act, whose aim was to "organize and establish a Corps of Engineers ... that the said Corps ... shall be stationed at West Point in the State of New York and shall constitute a military academy." Until 1866, the superintendent of the United States Military Academy was always an Engineer Officer. [...] U.S. Army engineer units outside of USACE Districts and not listed below fall under the Engineer Regiment") of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which comprises the majority of Army engineer soldiers. The Regiment includes combat engineers, whose duties are to breach obstacles; construct fighting positions, fixed/floating bridges, and obstacles and defensive positions; place and detonate explosives; conduct route clearance operations; emplace and detect landmines; and fight as provisional infantry when required. It also includes support engineers, who are more focused on construction and sustainment. Headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, the Engineer Regiment is commanded by the Engineer Commandant, currently a position filled by an Army brigadier general. [...] The chief of engineers and commanding general (lt. general) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has three mission areas: combat engineers, military construction, and civil works. For each mission area, the chief of engineers/commanding general is supervised by a different person. For civil works, the commanding general is supervised by the civilian assistant secretary of the Army (Civil Works) "Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)"). Three deputy commanding generals (major generals) report to the chief of engineers, who have the following titles: Deputy Commanding General, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operation, and Deputy Commanding General for Military and International Operations. The Corps of Engineers headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.
- Brief History of the Corps -- Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Beginnings to 1815 The history of United States Army Corps of Engineers can be traced back to June 16, 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. Army engineers, including several French officers, were instrumental in some of the hard-fought battles of the Revolutionary War including Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and the final victory at Yorktown. [...] Assigned the military construction mission in 1941, the Corps built facilities at home and abroad to support the U.S. Army and Air Force. During the Cold War, Army engineers managed construction programs for America’s allies, including a massive effort in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Corps of Engineers also completed large construction programs for federal agencies such as NASA and the postal service.. The Corps also maintains a rigorous research and development program in support of its water resources, construction, and military activities. [...] When the Cold War ended, the Corps was poised to support the Army and the Nation in the new era. Army engineers supported 9/11 recovery efforts and currently play an important international role in the rapidly evolving Global War on Terrorism, including reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stands ready to support the country’s military and water resources needs in the 21st century as it has done during its more than two centuries of service. The Beginnings to 1815
- US Army Corps of Engineers - Engineering solutions for our Nation’s toughest challenges
# US Army Corps of Engineers Engineering solutions for our Nation’s toughest challenges Armed Forces • Washington, DC • 254,558 followers • 10,001+ employees ## Overview U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mission: Provide vital public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen our Nation’s security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters. Privacy Policy/Social Media Guidelines: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vision: A GREAT engineering force of highly disciplined people working with our partners through disciplined thought and action to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the Nation’s engineering challenges. ### Website ### Crunchbase N/A ### LinkedIn N/A ### Industry Armed Forces [...] US Army Corps of Engineers (12h): Few organizations touch as many aspects of daily life as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—from infrastructure and environmental stewardship to recreation and public safety. It’s #WorkforceWednesday , and today we’re highlighting Lyndy Black, Bardwell Lake Manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District. For Lyndy, the broad impact of the USACE mission is what made the organization stand out. “The US Army Corps of Engineers is the Swiss Army Knife of our great nation and I’m glad to be part of an agency that is dedicated to taking care of people!” That commitment to serving people and protecting resources continues to inspire her work every day. “The opportunity to contribute to our missions that protect our nation’s people and resources [...] Strong With Us and for bringing fresh perspectives to some of the Nation's most important missions. [Likes: 70, Comments: 4]; US Army Corps of Engineers (1w): The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will recognize World Ranger Day July 31. This annual worldwide celebration commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and highlights our rangers' vital roles in environmental stewardship, public safety and managing some of the nation's premier water-based recreation areas. USACE park rangers play crucial roles in safeguarding the environment, ensuring visitor safety and promoting conservation efforts at more than 2,850 USACE-managed recreation areas nationwide. USACE park rangers manage, protect and restore public lands and waters across the nation, ensuring these resources remain
Location Data
Army Corps of Engineers, Arsenal Street, Kosciusko, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63118, United States
Coordinates: 38.5900038, -90.2077654
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