Society of American Military Engineers

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the principles of national defense through collaboration and cooperation among engineers in the military and private sectors.

History

Founded in January 1920, SAME grew from the experiences of engineers who served during World War I. Major General William M. Black, Chief of Engineers, played a pivotal role in its establishment. The organization aimed to preserve the collective knowledge and cooperation between public and private sectors that were crucial in the war effort[1][2].

Initially, SAME sought to unite military and industry leaders to capture the lessons learned during the conflict and maintain connections among engineering professionals. By the end of its first decade in 1930, SAME had approximately 8,000 members and was undertaking significant infrastructure projects[1].

Mission and Purpose

SAME's mission is to serve as a trusted integrator across architecture, engineering, construction (A/E/C), and related professions to address economic and security interests. The organization focuses on advancing national security priorities by Driving Partnerships, Delivering Solutions, and Developing People[3].

SAME brings together individuals from both public and private sectors, including architects, engineers, and contractors, to improve national security by enhancing individual and collective capabilities. This collaboration aims to prepare for and mitigate natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and security threats both domestically and internationally[2][3].

Structure and Membership

SAME has a diverse membership of over 26,000 professionals from various sectors, including recent service academy graduates, retired military officers, project managers, corporate executives, and public sector experts. It operates through 100 Posts globally, in addition to numerous student and field chapters[2][3].

The organization is led by a volunteer Board of Direction, which includes national officers, regional vice presidents, and elected directors serving three-year terms. SAME provides extensive opportunities for training, education, and professional development through conferences, workshops, and publications[3].

SAME Foundation

In 2016, the SAME Foundation was established to foster engineering leadership for the nation. It supports programs aimed at developing professionals within the engineering community, focusing on opportunities for military officers, veterans, and youth[3].

Publications

SAME publishes The Military Engineer, a magazine that has been in continuous publication since 1920, serving as a platform for disseminating technical knowledge related to military engineering and national security[2].

Governance and Values

SAME is governed by a set of core values that emphasize Integrity, Patriotism, Public Service, National Security, Technical Competence, Excellence, and Environmental Stewardship[3]. These values guide the organization's efforts to secure America's future by strengthening partnerships between industry and government and enriching the STEM pipeline[3].

SAME celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2020, marking a century of commitment to national security and the engineering profession[3].