Top 10 things you need to know about 2019 Engineer Regimental Week at Fort Leonard Wood

By Mrs. Martha Yoshida (Leonard Wood)March 29, 2019

Top 10 things you need to know about 2019 Engineer Regimental Week at Fort Leonard Wood
The Engineer Castle will soon be on display for Engineer Regimental Week April 8-12 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. (Pictured is a glimpse of the sunrise peaking through the Engineer castle following the Engineer Regimental Run on Gammon Field, April... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 25, 2019) -- The U.S. Army Engineer School is planning its annual Engineer Regimental Week celebration April 8-12 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

This year's theme is "Bridging the Gap to 2035."

The week's focal point is the Senior Engineer Leadership Council, providing an opportunity for leaders of the Engineer Regiment to share information and build consensus on critical issues. The two-day SELC is set for April 11-12.

"The SELC forums and speakers get us to our theme," Brig. Gen. Robert Whittle, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, said. "Events like this help us see ourselves and our value."

"There is a lot of pride in our regiment," Whittle added. "The state of the Engineer Regiment is strong and we must continue on that path to provide mobility, counter-mobility and survivability skillsets, which enable our maneuver forces to win."

In combination with the SELC, key events for the week include the Best Sapper Competition April 8-10, the Army Engineer Association's Industry Exhibition April 9-10, a Family Readiness Group event for spouses and service members April 9, the Fallen Sapper Tribute April 11, the Engineer Regimental Run April 12, and the Engineer Regimental Ball & Awards Ceremony April 12.

Following is an overview of the top 10 events during Engineer Regimental Week:

1. Best Sapper Competition, April 8-10

The opening ceremony for the 13th annual Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers Best Sapper Competition starts at noon April 7 at Training Area 160. The event, where up to 50 teams, travel 50 miles in 50 hours, while completing engineer tasks, officially kicks off at 10 a.m. April 8. Spectators are welcome and spectator packets will be available daily at https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/units-tenants/USAES/Sapper/BSC. For additional information, visit the Best Sapper Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BestSapper/.

2. Army Engineer Association's Industry Exhibition, April 9-10

Engineers will have the opportunity to evaluate new technologies at the Army Engineer Association annual Industry Exhibition April 9-10 at Nutter Field House. The venue will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

3. Family Readiness Group Day, April 9

The annual Engineer Family Readiness Group event is planned from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 9 at Training Area 250. Military spouses and service members are welcome to attend. The day will feature a team-building experience that involves a closer look at capabilities within the Engineer Regiment, vehicle displays, and more. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to complete all events. RSVP is requested on or before April 5 by calling Capt. Hardin, 35th Engineer Battalion, at 573-596-5371, or by visiting https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=438763c3e14f3072bf5180967c9ddfbf72914bd473620043c02edae25e37eb32f56169822d4393bbfa9443265053547ffeaae2387c746d92200645cf38cd91ce69746ck=06624A0E7D54 for registration and event details. Cost is $20 and includes a T-shirt and lunch. Pre-register early to guarantee T-shirt size of choice. Participants can pay the registration fee online through the event invitation link above; at the 35th Engr. Bn. Headquarters, Bldg. 6100, RM 105; or at the event. Attendees must be 18 years or older to participate.

4. Senior Engineer Leadership Council, April 11-12 (by invitation only)

5. Commandant's Address to the Regiment, April 11

USAES Commandant, Brig. Gen. Robert Whittle, will address the Engineer Regiment at 9:15 a.m. April 11 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.

6. USACE North Atlantic Division Address, April 11

Immediately following the USAES Commandant's address on April 11, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Milhorn, is scheduled to speak from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

7. Chief's Address to the Regiment, April 12

The 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, is scheduled to address the regiment at 1:30 p.m. April 12 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.

8. Fallen Sapper Tribute, April 11

A Fallen Sapper Tribute to memorialize the life and service of fallen engineers lost in war and support operations will be hosted by the 554th Engineer Battalion at 6 p.m. April 11 at the Engineer Memorial Grove. The event includes a moment of silence, firing of volleys and a wreath-laying ceremony.

9. Engineer Regimental Run April 12

Members of the Engineer Regiment will rise and shine for the regimental run, hosted by the 31st Engineer Battalion, which steps off from Gammon Field at 5:30 a.m. April 12.

10. Engineer Regimental Ball & Awards Ceremony April 12.

A hallmark of the week is the Engineer Regimental Ball and Awards Ceremony scheduled for April 12 at Nutter Field House. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and are limited to the first 700 registrants on a first-come, first served basis. It is anticipated tickets will sell out. Register online from the Engineer Week web page at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/units-tenants/USAES/usaes-history/ENREGWK/ball, or RSVP by calling the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Protocol Office at 573.563.8071.

"Engineer Regimental Week is a special time to celebrate our heritage, honor our past and navigate the way to 2035," Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick, USAES regimental command sergeant major, said. "We look forward to having the time to renew bonds within the Engineer Regiment, recognize accomplishments and build the bridge toward future readiness and force modernization."