Engineer Regiment

A unit of Engineers is called a Regiment, and is composed of subunits called Squadrons. Each Engineer regiment identifies with the Canadian Military Engineers.

Units are generally identified by a number; independent subunits also exist (squadrons not assigned to a specific regiment).

Combat Engineer Regiment

The Combat Engineer Regiment (CER) is the standard engineer unit within Canadian brigades. Tradittionally these units have been organized along the lines of two field squadrons (of two field troops each), a support squadron, and an administration squadron. Recent changes are changing the regiments to four field squadrons (of one field troop and one support troop) and an administration squadron. The intent of this change is to ensure there is one field squadron affiliated to each of the brigades manouvre units (armour and infantry).

Field Engineer Regiment

The Field Engineer Regiment (FER) was a divisional close support engineering unit. These units were formed shortly after the Second World War but when 1 FER was disbanded in 1958 the only remaining FERs were in the reserve force. Today many of these units are choosing to re-name themselves as CERs in order to better resemble the regular force.

Engineer Support Regiment

The Engineer Support Regiment (ESR) is a divisional general support engineering unit. While Canada does not have any divisions, it still retains an ESR in order to provide higher level engineering capabilities which cannot be provided by the CERs.