The Unit
So you think you know all about the 169th Engineer Battalion? Think you know all about Charlie Company? Then most likely, you've come to the right place. But just in case you happen upon this site, and you don't know, here is the basic information you can find on several other web sites about the 169th Engineer Battalion.
The 169th Engineer Battalion conducts 51/62 Career Management Field (CMF) AIT, Combat Engineer (B6 ASI), Common Engineer Training and Army Values Training to TRADOC standards at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Gulfport Naval Station, Mississippi; and Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas to ensure soldiers are combat ready and prepared for Army assignments worldwide.
The 169th Engineer Battalion (AIT) consists of the battalion headquarters, and four Advanced Individual Training Companies- A, B, C and D. Alpha and Bravo Companies, each, train and support a constant average of 220 trainees innine Military OccupationSpecialties (MOS) throughout the year. Charlie and Delta Companies are unique in that they are both located outside Fort Leonard Wood; Gulfport NS, MS and Sheppard AFB, TX, respectively. Bravo Company holds the distinction of co-training soldiers for Phase I of the 00B Engineer Diver MOS, in conjunction with the 577th Engineer Battalion. Charlie Company, 169th Engineer Battalion conducts and supports Interservice Engineer Training at Gulfport NS, Mississippi to produce disciplined, highly motivated, physically fit, value-based, entry level carpentry and masonry specialists for the United States armed forces.
Delta Company, 169th Engineer Battalion conducts and supports Interservice Engineer and Aviation Logistics Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to produce disciplined, highly motivated, physically fit, value-based, entry level plumbers, electrical distribution specialists, and pneudralic specialists for the United States armed forces.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1
1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess enhanced dovetailed of three Argent and Gules, in base a fleur-de-lis flowered of the first. Attached below the shield is a silver scroll inscribed "MIND AND HAND" in black letters.
- Symbolism: Scarlet and white are the colors of the Corps of Engineers. The fleur-de-lis flowered was suggested by the coat of arms of Florence, Italy, where the battalion was activated after being reconstituted in 1944. The dovetail is used to allude to an engineering construction principle. The three points represent the organization's three battle honors awarded for service in Italy during World War II.
- Background: The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 26 Jan 1956.
Coat of Arms
- Description: Shield: Per fess enhanced dovetailed of three Argent and Gules, in base a fleur-de-lis flowered of the first. Crest: From a wreath Argent and Gules, a mountain range Purpure superimposed by a dragon passent Or, garnished Gules, Buff, Brown, Goldenlight and breathing flames Proper, grasping a divider points to base Gules. Motto: MIND AND HAND.
- Symbolism: Shield: Scarlet and white are the colors of the Corps of Engineers. The fleur-de-lis flowered was suggested by the coat of arms of Florence, Italy, where the battalion was activated after being reconstituted in 1944. The dovetail is used to allude to an engineering construction principle. The three points represent the organization's three battle honors awarded for service in Italy during World War II. Crest: The many campaigns in which the 169th participated, during the Vietnam conflict are recalled by the golden dragon, holding an engineer's divider to symbolize the outstanding construction work the unit accomplished in support of military operations during 1967 and 1968. The mountains represent the rugged country in which exacting land development projects were completed and also symbolize the regions in Italy where the unit saw action during World War II, specifically the Po Valley, North Apennines and Rome-Arno. Scarlet denotes courage and recalls three Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal awarded the 169th in the period 1966 to 1970.
- Background: The coat of arms was originally approved on 26 Jan 1956. It was amended on 12 Jan 1999 to add the crest.
Area Maps
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