text: The Army Engineer
  geospatial engineering disciplines. Because the theater army echelon analysis may not include the full
  resolution of tactical-level requirements, the subordinate echelon corps and division headquarters offer
  refinements for the engineer forces required to support their more detailed concept of operations. For
  example, based on an understanding of the physical environment in a potential AO and an initial design for
  operational maneuver, the engineer planner may identify the requirements for numerous gap crossings by
  subordinate tactical elements. After consideration for joint, multinational, and other capabilities, the planner
  may determine and shape baseline engineer forces capable of supporting gap-crossing requirements. As
  corps, division, and subordinate planners add depth to the understanding of the AO and develop a scheme of
  maneuver, the shape of the baseline forces to support gap crossings allocated by the higher echelon design is
  impacted by decisions regarding timing, locations, and other factors, refining the gap-crossing design.
  Prioritization occurs in applying the tailored engineer forces most effectively against actual
  requirements. EAB engineer staff and planners recommend priorities to the commander based on the
  continuous assessment maintained through the running estimate. EAB engineer staffs also shape the
  organization of the tailored forces for the conduct of engineer operations. Tailoring the engineer force should
  not be confused with task organizing. Tactical and operational commanders organize and reorganize groups
  of tailored engineer units for specific missions. This process of allocating available assets to subordinate
  commanders and establishing their command and support relationships is called task organizing. Flexibility
  to meet evolving engineer requirements while an operation is conducted depends directly on the ability to
  efficiently task-organize the tailored engineer force and integrate it within the gaining or supported force.
  ENGINEER FORCE TAILORING
  The organization of forces within the Army is dynamic. Actual requirements for forces are seldom
  identical to planning figures. Therefore, the theater army commander recommends the appropriate mix of
  forces and the deployment sequence for forces to meet the geographic combatant command requirements.
  This is called force tailoring (selecting forces based on a mission and recommended deployment sequence)
  and may include elements from the operational Army and the institutional force.
  Tailoring the engineer force requires a different mind-set—one that thinks in terms completely divested
  from how the force is organized in a garrison. It requires a leader to think beyond garrison structures and
  embrace combinations of engineering capabilities and scalable C2 to provide each echelon of the force the
  right support. Engineers are organized and equipped to support unified land operations. Careful prioritization
  must occur for the limited engineer resources typical in the OE. To accomplish the identified tasks in the
  desired timeframes, commanders must consider augmentation requirements and recognize which mission
  requirements can be supported through reachback and geospatial products rather than enlarging the engineer
  footprint in the AO. Engineer units are more narrowly designed to accomplish specific types of tasks.
  Therefore, when tailoring the engineer force, it is imperative that a broad range of capabilities is allocated
  from the engineer force pool.
  Engineer force packages must contain the right mix of capabilities to assure timely and relevant
  engineer support to the joint force command. This mix changes dramatically during transitions, and the joint
  force engineer must anticipate and plan for these changes. For example, combat engineers often make up the
  majority of engineer forces in-theater during sustained combat operations. However, combat engineers must
  be reinforced during the transition to operations that are dominated by stability operations, because they
  typically do not have the adequate capability or capacity to accomplish the required general engineering
  tasks.
  The implications of Army force generation on the engineer force are similar to those on other maneuver
  support branches within the Army where a majority of forces are not organic to a BCT structure. Activating
  an engineer unit early in the Army force generation process has secondary and tertiary effects for operational,
  sustainment, and personnel planners. It reduces the availability of units later in the cycle. A surge of engineer
  units can be accomplished for short periods, but not indefinitely without looking at increasing engineer units
  in the inventory or using HN or contract engineers. Engineers are typically employed in modules, units, or
  companies, but they are deployed in a battalion level organization.
  Military engineers may need to coordinate activities with other nation forces, U.S. government
  agencies, nongovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies, and HN agencies according to the
  operational mandate or military objective. In all cases, the authority must exist for direct coordination.