Engineer Corps
The Engineer Corps was established during the governance of the first governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, on 28 July 1829 and was called “Officers’ Corps of Fortification and Architecture” headquartered in Nafplio. Its mission was the drafting of studies and plans for the construction, maintenance and improvement of fortifications, Military and Public buildings, bridges and roads. More particularly, the Architecture department studies and implements urban designs, beginning with Nafplio, Patra and Tripoli (1828-1834).
The Engineer Arm, based on personnel and the most fruitful utilisation of its available assets, constitutes a powerful tool at the hands of the Armed Forces and the state, contributing in various ways, whenever and wherever required, to the Hellenic State.
The Engineer Corps emblem
The emblem of the Engineer Corps is the ram. The Ram symbolises the siege machine, of offensive nature, which was used by the Ancient Greeks to break through fortified positions. The Ram is surrounded by the maxim: “ΑΜ’ ΕΠΟΣ ΑΜ’ ΕΡΓΟΝ” which translates as “No sooner said than done” and it means that when a decision is made, it should be executed immediately.
Our Mission
The mission of the Engineer is the support of agility and survivability of the friendly forces and, on the other hand, the hindrance of the enemy’s movements and the decrease of its combative power, as well as the execution of general missions.
Through agility, the rapid deployment of friendly forces is facilitated, in order to achieve and maintain contact with the enemy and in general the forces to move to the desired point in the minimum amount of time.
Characteristics
The most basic missions of the Engineer Corps for the support of the agility of all the Arms of the Army are:
- Crossing of land and water obstacles.
- Counter-Mine Warfare Operations.
- Removal of any kind of obstacle.
- Securing of land communication lines. It includes the restitution of damages and disasters on the roads, aiming to their renewed operation, as well as the periodical maintenance and improvement.
- Construction and maintenance of projects for the organisation of terrain and fortifications, including also those of CBRN assault.
- Contribution to camouflage and deception.
- Provision of technical advice on issues of infrastructure and analysis of the terrain’s elements.
- Hindrance of the Enemy’s Movements with the positioning of obstacles, laying of minefields, destructions and re-enforcement of natural obstacles.