The Engineer Role - Combat Support - United Task Force (UNITAF) Arma 3

Version 1 / 2min read / Updated Sat 07 May 2022 / 2814 views / of verified

The Combat Engineer

Engineers are expected to have a knowledge of a variety of specialized subjects that enhance the capabilities of any units they’re assigned to. They’re knowledgeable in demolitions, mine-clearing and obstacle breaching, vehicle recovery and repair, as well as how to best emplace and enhance defensive works such as bunkers and berms. Engineers may not always be available or needed on every mission, but when present, they are a major capabilities enhancement to those they’re attached to.

Engineer Gear

Engineers have two special items that allow them enhanced capabilities compared to other units. The first is the toolkit - this heavy item, stored in a rucksack, allows for an engineer to do basic repairs to damaged vehicles as well as defuse mines. The other item is the minesweeper - with it, an engineer is able to more rapidly scan for and detect mines around him. The bulk of these items restricts the cargo capacity of any engineer such equipped - to work around this, an engineer team will be broken down into different specializations, such as:

Repair specialist - an engineer whose focus is towards dealing with disabled or damaged vehicles, he carries a toolkit but no minesweeper and only limited demolition gear.
Minesweeper - an engineer with, you guessed it, a minesweeper. His focus is towards detecting and disarming mines - to do the latter, he also carries the bulky toolkit with him. Minesweepers have limited capacity for carrying demolitions and are typically employed as the point men in a formation operating in an area where mines are suspected to be present.
Demolitionist or Explosives Expert - an engineer whose responsibilities lie in the employment of explosives. In order to carry extra munitions, this engineer forgoes carrying toolkits or minesweepers.

REFERENCES
UNITAF Standard Operating procedures (SOP) are adapted primarly from US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Our written and audio procedures are a combination of the following primary source materials, as well as our own learnings, modifications and adaptations:
- US Army Techniques Publication, Infantry Platoon and Squad (ATP 3-21.8)
- Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks Warrior Leader Skills Level 2, 3, and 4 (STP 21-24-SMCT)
- The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills (FM 3-21.75 / FM 21-75)
- Leadership Development (FM 6-22)
- Dyslexi's Tactics, Techniques, & Procedures for Arma 3 (TTP3)

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Next SOP
(P6-105) Demolitions & Breaching