The Corps story began more than 200 years ago when Congress
established the Continental Army with a provision for a chief
engineer on June 16, 1775. The Army established the Corps of
Engineers as a separate, permanent branch on March 16, 1802, and
gave the engineers responsibility for founding and operating the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Since then, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers has responded to changing defense
requirements and played an integral part in the development of
the country. Throughout the 19th century, the Corps built
coastal fortifications, surveyed roads and canals, eliminated
navigational hazards, explored and mapped the Western frontier,
and constructed buildings and monuments in the Nation’s capital.
While the mission and tasks have evolved with the needs and
priorities of the Nation, the dedication and commitment of the
workforce has remained constant. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers: - Is the Nation’s number one federal provider of
outdoor recreation. - Is the Nation's enviro