geo, I have some idea how pioneers worked. We both know they no longer exist. Am I wrong in saying that pioneers were primarily employed in a mech role? The APC dozers would lead me to believe this was the case. Geo you can call the troops I'm talking about whatever you want, but in my world, they would be employed from within the ...dare I say..Commando...? I think in your comments about assembling an adhoc formation for each tasking speaks to how antiquated the traditional Engineer regiment is. It cannot support these deployments as it is, there is always a lot of "finessing" the deployed unit, tailoring it to the mission. The finished product seldom looks anything like the unit in garrison. Why can't the engineer regiment evolve into a relevant new force? It is still based on the same system of a field sqn, support sqn, adm sqn, and hq element. Where did that come from? Well, I don't know, but the only place it was ever fleshed out was in Germany, to fight another WW2. Train like you fight is a simple priciple, but running one unit at home for ease of admin, then assembling an entirely different animal every time you deploy, seems inefficient to me. Please don't fall back on the adaptability of the canadian engineer, that dogs been beat to death. right now combat engineers do everything pretty damn well, but just imagine how good a job they could do if they only concentrated on a few things.... The writing is on the wall, at least for now, that Canada will create an Seaborne, Airmobile expiditionary force. If you don't want to emulate the USMC, then check out the Royal Marines, or the Dutch.Throw in a little 75th Ranger Bn for good measure.