A co 1st Bn Engineer Training Brigade

• Founding Roots: A Company, 1st Battalion, Engineer Training Brigade (A Co, 1st Bn, ETB) traces its lineage to the early days of U.S. Army engineer training, with roots in World War II when rapid expansion of the Engineer Corps was essential. • Fort Leonard Wood Home: The unit has been primarily based at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, a major hub for U.S. Army engineer, chemical, and military police training. • Basic Combat Engineer Training: A Co is responsible for transforming civilian recruits into Army sappers—soldiers trained to build bridges, clear obstacles, and handle demolitions. • Vietnam War Legacy: Many graduates of A Co went on to serve in the Vietnam War, where combat engineers played crucial roles in jungle operations, constructing bases, and clearing minefields. • Women in Engineering: A Co 1st Bn ETB was among the first engineer training units to integrate female soldiers into its ranks after the 1970s, paving the way for gender integration in combat support roles. • Disaster Response: Alumni from the unit have frequently been deployed for stateside disaster relief missions, including hurricane recovery, flood response, and emergency bridge construction. • Regimental Crest: The Engineer regimental crest—featuring a castle—remains a proud symbol worn by all graduates, emphasizing the unit’s motto: “Essayons” (Let Us Try). • Innovative Training: The unit has been a testbed for new training methods, such as incorporating robotics, counter-IED procedures, and advanced construction techniques into its curriculum. • Global Footprint: Soldiers trained by A Co have deployed worldwide, from Europe and Korea to the Middle East, supporting both combat and humanitarian missions. • Traditions and Camaraderie: The company is known for its strong esprit de corps, with unique graduation ceremonies, challenge coins, and unit mottos fostering lifelong bonds among its soldiers.