Combat Heavy Review

Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy) -- The combat heavy engineer battalion is normally assigned to an engineer brigade within a corps or theater army. The combat heavy engineer battalion has equipment and personnel skilled in earthmoving and construction. The battalion primarily works in rear areas on sustainment engineering tasks. However, its earthmoving capabilities may be effectively used to provide combat support in forward areas when not under direct fire (i.e. tank ditches, etc.). Missions include the construction of roads, airfields, structures and utilities for the Army and Air Force.

As a Platoon Leader in a Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion you can expect missions to construct or renovate buildings and install electrical or plumbing systems using plans developed by your Battalion S-3 section. You'll be responsible for design review, construction estimation and development of the construction schedule using CPM or PERT. At the same time, you'll be leading 30+ soldiers with such diverse skills as carpenter, mason, plumber, electrician and heavy equipment operator. Your leadership will be challenged in maintaining about $5 million worth of government equipment. If stationed in CONUS you may deploy to Latin America to construct roads, airfields or buildings. ENGINEERS have been described as a STRATEGIC FORCE in our National Strategy for that region of the world. The Engineer platoon often is called upon to operate independently. Because of this fact, Engineer lieutenants often get greater responsibility and authority than lieutenants in other branches.