Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, participated in Branch Week held in September at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
Branch Week was an event where cadets pursuing their military education at the U.S. Military Academy had an opportunity to become familiar with the different Branches within the U.S. Army.
Cadets visited display sections staffed by Soldiers and Army Civilians and learned about the various missions of the U.S. Army, and met with experienced Soldiers to discuss potential career paths.
Paired in groups, cadets rotated to individual display stations and obtained information about the missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Infantry, Military Intelligence, Transportation Corp, Ordinance, Signal Corps, Medical Corps, Military Police, Quartermaster Corps -- all branches that make the U.S. Army the strongest in the world.
Cadets met with Soldiers from the Army Corps' Regiment Branch who presented opportunities to assist cadets to better understand its mission.
The Regiment Branch display section had over 10 experienced Soldiers from the 20th Engineer Brigade, and from the Army Corps' New York District.
They shared their career experiences while serving in the Regiment Branch, provided advice, answered questions, and used poster boards to display initiatives, and live equipment for demonstrations, as well as furnishing informative handouts for family members.
“Branch Week is an opportunity for Cadets to meet Soldiers and get familiar with the different branches of the Army,” said Maj. Andrew W. Freinberg, project engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “This forum also allows our future Army leaders to understand their career progression and seek assignments which are mutually beneficial to both their professional development and the needs of the Army.”
“As a former West Point graduate I love to come back and talk to cadets about the opportunities in pursuing their Army careers,” said Capt. A. Edward Major III, Deputy Area Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. “I was in their shoes 11 years ago, so it’s an honor to get a chance to help point them in the right direction and it’s exciting to feed off their energy and their desire for knowledge.”
Several Cadets were curious about what the Engineer Branch offered, and learned from Soldiers about the Regiments’ priorities. They discussed the many important Army capabilities such as rapid developments, combat engineering, airborne operations, vertical and horizontal construction, diving operations, firefighting, and construction management.
“What’s unique about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regiment Branch is that it has a diverse selection of career paths you can choose from,” said 1Lt. Gregory D. Brown, project engineer with the Army Corps' New York District. “These opportunities prepare cadets to lead and win our Nations wars, while also providing the education and experience they need for an exciting career path."
Branch Week was another successful event that afforded future Army leaders with the opportunity to meet seasoned Soldiers and learn the importance of selecting a Branch to help shape their future military career.