US Army Corps of Engineers

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, the kickoff of football season (Go Army - Beat Navy), and the return of congestive traffic as children return to schools and vacationers return to work. Taking a day off to celebrate hard work may seem counterintuitive but honoring the American worker—the backbone of our Nation’s economic strength—is time well spent. We “pause” this first Monday in September to celebrate the social and economic achievements of those who work to keep our Nation operating each and every day. More than 161 million Americans are part of the overall workforce, including the 39,000-plus members of our USACE Team. We have more than 5,500 employees who are on call 24 hours a day to open and close our flood gates, raise and lower our locks, keep our park visitors safe, clear federal navigation channels, and operate the only water treatment facility in the U.S. Army. These valuable trade and craft professionals literally keep the USACE engine running. Their talents and skills allow us to deliver on the historic $91 billion investment into our nation’s infrastructure, at home and around the globe, and we are immensely grateful for their service. We also have over 130 USACE teammates and Soldiers who are currently deployed and working around the clock to help communities recover from natural disasters.    So, as many of us will take the long weekend to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the last days of summer, please take a moment and think about those who don’t get to take the day off, but whose hard work represents the very best of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our Nation. Thanks to all of you who put on the hard hat every day and help us keep BUILDING STRONG! LTG Scott A. Spellmon 55th Chief of Engineers Commanding General, USACE BE ALL YOU CAN BE! BUILDING STRONG!

Today is the Final Day to Submit Feedback on the National Levee Safety Guidelines Reminder: The National Levee Safety Program is seeking feedback on the draft first edition of the National Levee Safety Guidelines. A list of questions to help guide your feedback, along with information on how to submit comments, is available at www.leveesafety.org. Click on “Guidelines.” Feedback should be submitted no later than today. Questions about the NLSP: [email protected]

As the month of August comes to a close, so does the Army's Antiterrorism Awareness Month. Though we use the month of August to emphasize its importance and complete annual training, Antiterrorism Awareness is a continuous program throughout the year for the Army Corps of Engineers. It requires leaders at all levels to dedicate resources to ensure the protection of our military and civilian communities. Leaders must promote their programs and educate their communities on what they can do to protect themselves and others from terrorism. It is critical to remain vigilant today and every day. Remember - If you see something, say something. Always Ready - Always Alert!

Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bid farewell to Mr. Pete Perez, Chief of Engineering and Construction at Headquarters, as he retires from federal service after 33 years. As the chief of E&C, he provided executive leadership for all technical engineering activities during planning, design, and construction for the military, civil works, environmental, support to others, and international programs within USACE. Perez began his career in Fort Worth District’s San Antonio Area Office and has spent time with the Far East District, Alaska District, Afghanistan Engineer District – South, Galveston District, and Southwestern Division. We thank him for his many years of service to the Nation, along with Mrs. Grace Perez, who was also honored during the ceremony for her support to the Army community. (U.S. Army photos by Sarah Steffens)

Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, USACE commanding general and 55th chief of engineers, has signed a Chief’s Report recommending a more than $2.6 billion plan to help mitigate the risks from coastal storms and tidal flooding in Miami – Dade County’s back bay areas. Learn more from Norfolk District, who is supporting this project, here: https://lnkd.in/ewPZTs6h

All non-federal interests are invited to submit proposals for new Corps water resources development project study authority; modifications to an existing Corps water resources development project study authority; modifications to an existing Corps water resources development project authority; and modifications to an existing Corps environmental infrastructure program authority. Learn how: https://lnkd.in/ejbWERF

Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bid farewell to Dr. Christine Altendorf, USACE Director of Military Programs, as she retires from federal service after more than 30 years. As Director of Military Programs, she was responsible for the execution of the Corps’ worldwide program for engineering, construction, real estate, and environmental activities in support of the Army. Altendorf started her career with the Tulsa District and spent time at Kansas City District, Sacramento District, and South Pacific Division as well as the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific and was the Director of the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Office. During her service she also deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. We thank her for her many years of service to the Nation. (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Bloodgood)

Coming up: The US Army is hosting a Total Army Career Fair September 6-7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas! U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division representatives will be available to talk about job opportunities in Little Rock, Fort Worth, Galveston, and Tulsa, and to answer questions about working for USACE and serving your country as a civilian. Learn more and register for this event through the following QR codes or links: https://lnkd.in/eKRMN-_Q https://apply.army.mil/

August is Antiterrorism Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to highlight ways in which Soldiers, Civilians, Contractors and the public in general can stay aware of extremism, terrorism, insider threats, and vulnerabilities. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has produced the following training video explaining a scenario related to insider threats: https://lnkd.in/eAjSN-Nr See something? Say something.

The 55th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, has signed the Chief's report containing recommendations to Congress for the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study for inclusion in the next Water Resources Development Act. If approved by Congress and included in the next Water Resources Development Act, separate appropriations will need to be passed to construct the project. Learn more about our activities in this region by following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District.