Coordinating General Engineer Effort in Stability Operations

Many entities are involved in general engineering during a contingency operation, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, host nations, civilian contractors, and troop construction workers from all Services and allied nations. At the strategic and operational level the Engineer Coordinator ENCOORD function is accomplished by Theater Engineer Commands TEC and Engineer Brigade headquarters. U.S. military personnel will need to conduct general engineering missions to construct facilities for themselves and be prepared to improve the infrastructure of the local population. U.S. personnel may be tasked to restore essential services such as water, sewer, and electric and develop roads and facilities to support economic development. There is currently no established process for ensuring that the staffs responsible for coordinating general engineer missions have the breadth of knowledge they need. Even though these soldiers have done exceptional work in support of current operations through dedication and perseverance, the ongoing nature of this requirement dictates better preparation of these unique units.