Sapper
From 7th Cavalry Regiment Wiki
A Sapper or combat engineer is an individual soldier who performs a variety of combat engineering duties. Such tasks typically include bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences,and building road and airfield construction/repair. He is also trained to serve as an infantryman when needed. A modern sapper's tasks involve facilitating movement and logistics of allied forces and impeding that of enemies.
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History
A sapper, in the sense first used by the Assyrian Army in the early 7th Century BC, was one who excavated trenches under defensive fire to advance a besieging army's position in relation to the works of an attacked fortification, which was referred to as sapping the enemy fortifications.
Saps were excavated by brigades of trained sappers or instructed troops. When an army was defending a fortress with cannon, they had an obvious height and therefore range advantage over the attacker's own guns. The attacking army's artillery had to be brought forward, under fire, so as to facilitate effective counter-battery fire.
This was achieved by digging what the French termed a 'Sappe'. Using techniques developed and perfected by Vauban, the sapeurs (sappers) began the trench at such an angle so as to avoid enemy fire 'enfilading' (passing directly along) the sappe. As they pressed forward, a position was prepared from which cannon could suppress the defenders on the bastions. The sappers would then change the course of their trench, zig-zagging their way toward the fortress wall.
Each leg brought the attacker's artillery closer and closer until (hopefully) the besieged cannon would be sufficiently suppressed for the attackers to breach the walls with their artillery. Broadly speaking, sappers were originally experts at demolishing or otherwise overcoming or bypassing fortification systems.
Within the 7th Cavalry
Sapper School
Modern day sappers of the US Army are responsible for conventional and unconventional combat demolitions. Sappers are trained on the correct and effective use of demolition systems, such as: claymores, C4, RPG's, M203 Grenade Launchers, and grenades in combat environments. Those who complete the course will be allowed to wear the Sapper tab on their respective uniform.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of the B.A.M.C.
- Minimum rank of Specialist.
- No Negative Counseling Statements in the last thirty (30) days.
- Platoon leader Recommendation.
- Company commander Approval.
See Also
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapper
http://www.7thcavalry.us/2nd_battalion/S3/7CAV-TM-002.pdf
