Sapper Leader Course

The Sapper Leader Course is a 28-day United States Army small unit tactics and leadership course that develops soldiers in critical skills and teaches advanced combat engineer techniques needed across the Army.

[2] Those graduating from the Sapper Leader Course are presented with the Sapper Tab, which is worn on the upper shoulder of the left sleeve of a military uniform, according to U.S. Army regulations[3] Wearing the tab is permitted for the remainder of a soldier's military career.

Historically, Sappers have assumed the role of combat engineers who advance with the front-line infantry.

The initial course cadre consisted of soldiers with combat engineer, infantry, and special forces military occupational specialties.

[7] In 1986, the Sapper Leader Course executed a Mobile Training Team Class at Fort AP Hill, Virginia.

This class was primarily for members of the 229th Engineer Battalion of the Virginia Army National Guard.

The idea gained traction again in late 1987 with the help of LTG Grange's letter to the Secretary of the Army in August 1987.

The idea stayed stagnant for several years until the course completed full accreditation by Training and Doctrine Command.

In 2011, Discovery Channel documentary series Surviving the Cut produced an episode covering the school.

[8] The Sapper Leader Course is open to all members of the United States Armed Forces.

In June 1999 CDT Micala Hicks, of the United States Military Academy, became the first female service member to graduate from the Sapper Leader Course.

At the time of her graduation, female soldiers were not allowed into combat military occupational specialties, or into courses of similar nature, such as Ranger School.

The Combat Engineer MOS was not open to female soldiers until 2015, although many wanted to attend the course they did not meet the entrance requirements of the time.

These instructors use past experience as well as course curriculum to train tactical, physical, leadership and engineering skills.

Calculations and placements are taught using sample problems, as well as two days at a range making field-expedient demolitions from materials that students may be limited to in real world situations.

In order to graduate, students must earn 700 out of 1,000 points and achieve a GO on all required events listed above.

Students have the opportunity to retake written exams, the 12 mile road march, and the land navigation course, and successful retests can earn them the right to graduate.

A student can be recycled by the Sapper Command Team to try to prevent a negative DA Form 1059.

Captain Daniel Reynolds received recognition as the first member of the US Space Force to graduate from the course. [ 9 ]
Soldiers from the 374th Engineer Company (Sapper) participate in a two-week field exercise to determine eligibility for attendance to the Sapper Leader Course
Sapper Students conduct physical training using a zodiac boatcraft
A Sapper Leader Course squad detonates a silhouette charge to create an entrance through a wall during urban breaching exercises as part of the course.
Sapper in 2024