Society of American Military Engineers
Encyclopedia
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) is an organization for military engineer
ing professionals. According to its website, SAME was formed “in the interest of National Defense… bringing together all phases of U.S. engineering, [in both the] civil sector and military, for the advancement of knowledge…and the rapid mobilization of engineering capabilities.” - The Charter of the Society of American Military Engineers, founded in 1920.
SAME connects architects, engineers and builders in the public sector and private industry, uniting them to improve individual and collective capabilities for national security. Its goal is to unite architectural, engineering and construction (A/E/C) entities and individuals in the public and private sector to provide the capability and prepare for – and overcome – natural and manmade disasters, acts of terrorism and improve security at home and abroad.
That goal grew from the United States' experiences in World War I
. More than 11,000 civilian engineers were called to duty when the United States entered the conflict. As they returned home after "the war to end war
," many feared we would lose this collective knowledge and the cooperation between public and private sectors that proved vital to combat success. Industry and military leaders vowed to capitalize on the technical lessons and camaraderie shared during their battlefield experiences.
In 1919, Maj. Gen. William M. Black, USA, the Army's Chief of Engineers, appointed a nine-officer board to consider the formation of an "association of engineers" that would preserve, and expand upon, connections formed in war and promote the advancement of engineering and its related professions. Early in 1920, the first SAME Posts were established, providing former colleagues and new members opportunities to connect face-to-face, and establishing Post-to-community relationships across the United States.
The original nine-member board appointed by Maj. Gen. Black also arranged the donation of Professional Memoirs, a magazine published by the Engineer Bureau since 1909, and its assets, to SAME with the blessing of Gen. John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, USA. Those memoirs were subsequently renamed The Military Engineer [www.same.org/about], which has been continuously published since it debuted in 1920.
U.S. Vice President Charles Gates Dawes - while still in office - served as SAME's 8th president. The year before assuming his role as president of SAME, Dawes was awarded the 1925 Nobel Peace Prize
for his work on German reparations in 1924.
Due to its close ties with the uniformed services of the United States
, several branches of the military and the Public Health Service allow its members to wear the SAME ribbon on the uniform after all military and foreign decorations and awards.
Military engineer
In military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
ing professionals. According to its website, SAME was formed “in the interest of National Defense… bringing together all phases of U.S. engineering, [in both the] civil sector and military, for the advancement of knowledge…and the rapid mobilization of engineering capabilities.” - The Charter of the Society of American Military Engineers, founded in 1920.
SAME connects architects, engineers and builders in the public sector and private industry, uniting them to improve individual and collective capabilities for national security. Its goal is to unite architectural, engineering and construction (A/E/C) entities and individuals in the public and private sector to provide the capability and prepare for – and overcome – natural and manmade disasters, acts of terrorism and improve security at home and abroad.
That goal grew from the United States' experiences in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. More than 11,000 civilian engineers were called to duty when the United States entered the conflict. As they returned home after "the war to end war
The war to end war
"The war to end war" was a term used to describe World War I. Originally idealistic, it is now used mainly in a disparaging way.-Origin:...
," many feared we would lose this collective knowledge and the cooperation between public and private sectors that proved vital to combat success. Industry and military leaders vowed to capitalize on the technical lessons and camaraderie shared during their battlefield experiences.
In 1919, Maj. Gen. William M. Black, USA, the Army's Chief of Engineers, appointed a nine-officer board to consider the formation of an "association of engineers" that would preserve, and expand upon, connections formed in war and promote the advancement of engineering and its related professions. Early in 1920, the first SAME Posts were established, providing former colleagues and new members opportunities to connect face-to-face, and establishing Post-to-community relationships across the United States.
The original nine-member board appointed by Maj. Gen. Black also arranged the donation of Professional Memoirs, a magazine published by the Engineer Bureau since 1909, and its assets, to SAME with the blessing of Gen. John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, USA. Those memoirs were subsequently renamed The Military Engineer [www.same.org/about], which has been continuously published since it debuted in 1920.
U.S. Vice President Charles Gates Dawes - while still in office - served as SAME's 8th president. The year before assuming his role as president of SAME, Dawes was awarded the 1925 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
for his work on German reparations in 1924.
Due to its close ties with the uniformed services of the United States
Uniformed services of the United States
The United States has seven federal uniformed services that commission officers as defined by Title 10, and subsequently structured and organized by Title 10, Title 14, Title 33 and Title 42 of the United States Code.-Uniformed services:...
, several branches of the military and the Public Health Service allow its members to wear the SAME ribbon on the uniform after all military and foreign decorations and awards.