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The 46th Engineer Battalion is located at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Its subordinate units are: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Forward Support Company, 573rd Clearance Company, 642nd Engineer Support Company (Located at Fort Drum, New York), and 687th Engineer Construction Company.
Battalion Mission Statement:
The 46th Engineer Battalion trains, certifies, and deploys combat and general engineer units in scalable and tailorable force packages to support large scale combat operations in the Army, Joint, or Combined contexts worldwide. On order, the Battalion provides mission command for theater tailored engineer forces and integrates engineer capabilities to assure mobility, enhance protection, build partner capacity, and develop theater infrastructure in support of operational commanders.
46th Engineer Battalion's higher headquarters is 20th Engineer Brigade located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina which reports to 18th Airborne Corps.
History
Unit Crest History:
The battalion coat of arms was designed by the Heraldic Services and Historical Division Office of the Quartermaster General. Wearing of the distinctive insignia was authorized in October 1951. The insignia is shaped as a shield. Centered upon a field of argent (silver) is placed a railway spike to indicate the battalion's initial designation as an Engineer Railway Maintenance-of-Way Battalion. A fleur-de-lis surmounts the spike as tribute to the service performed in France during World War I. Flanking these emblems are gules (red) to complete the colors of the Corps of Engineers. (In black and white reproductions of the crest these gules should be indicated as parallel vertical lines.) The complete coat of arms includes above the shield, a silver winged wheel, taken from the World War I insiginia of the transportation Corps. Beneath the crest is displayed the motto of the battalion, "To Achieve."
Battalion Historical Photos
Leadership
LTC Jon-Paul Depreo, Battalion Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Jon-Paul E. Depreo commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through ROTC upon graduating from Weber State University, Ogden, Utah in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications-Public Relations. He also holds a Masters degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, a Masters degree in Military Art and Operational Science from the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, and the Project Management Professional certificate.
Prior to taking command, he served in the EUCOM J4, Stuttgart, Germany. LTC Depreo also served as the Executive Officer to the Operations Director, G-9, United States Army, Washington, District of Columbia.
LTC Depreo began his military career as a sapper platoon leader and company executive officer in the 588th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas and deployed in support of Operation Iraq Freedom (2004 and 2005-2006). In November of 2007, he was assigned to 1st Armored Division Headquarters, United States Army Europe, where he served as an engineer planner in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He transitioned to 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, Vilseck, Germany and served as Assistant Regimental Engineer, and Engineer Troop Commander where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (2010-11). After redeployment, LTC Depreo was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he served as a Small Group Leader (SGL) for the Engineer Captains Career Course where he instructed approximately 150 students on engineer tactics and staff officer roles and responsibilities.
After completing studies at the Air Command and Staff College in June of 2014, LTC Depreo was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas where he served as an Engineer Planner on Headquarters, III Corps staff and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2015-16). Upon redeployment, LTC Depreo was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade where he served as battalion Operations Officer deploying company size units to support Combat Training Center operations and Multi-National training exercises in the European Command Area of Responsibility. He then transitioned and worked at Headquarters, 36th Engineer Brigade as the Brigade Executive Officer.
LTC Depreo has a number of awards and decorations to include the Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, NATO Medal, Army Commendation with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
CSM Susan Fernandez, Battalion Command Sergeant Major
CSM Susan Fernandez immigrated to the United States by way of Brooklyn, New York. She enlisted in the Army in October 1998.
CSM Fernandez has successfully held leadership positions at all levels from Team Leader to Sergeant Major. Her stateside assignments include 46th Engineer Battalion, 169th Engineer Battalion, 92nd Engineer Battalion, C CO 169th Engineer Battalion, Army South, III Corps HQ and USASMA, Sergeants Major Course. Her overseas assignments include 84th Engineer Battalion, United States Army Garrison Brussels; Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, and Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment. CSM Fernandez has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
CSM Fernandez’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5), Army Achievement Medal (4), Good Conduct Medal (7), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Nato Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Combat Action Badge, and Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal.
CSM Fernandez’s military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Sergeants Major Course, Basic Instructor’s Course, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Contracting Officer Representative Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, and the Combative Level I Course. CSM Fernandez’s civilian education includes a Bachelor’s Degree and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Business Management.
Unit Footprint & Location
DIRECTIONS TO STEEL SPIKE
From Leesville area
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Travel south via US-171 S. Take a left onto Entrance Rd to FT Polk main gate. Make a right onto Mississippi Ave. Pass Bell Richard Avenue and turn left at the first parking lot..
From Alexandria
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***During no JRTC Rotation*** Travel west on HWY 28. Take the Gate 7 / Alligator Lake Recreation Area exit to Gate 7. Continue onto K Ave until 9th St. Make a right onto 9th St. and continue onto Entrance Rd. Make a left onto Chaffee Rd and continue South until Bell RIchard Avenue. Make a right onto Bell Richard Avenue. Make a left onto Mississippi Avenue then make a left at the first parking lot.
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***During JRTC Rotation*** Travel west on HWY 28. Take Gate 6 / Chaffee Rd exit to Gate 6. Continue South until Bell RIchard Avenue. Make a right onto Bell Richard Avenue. Make a left onto Mississippi Avenue then make a left at the first parking lot.
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The Visitor Control Center opens at 5 a. m. and closes at 9 p. m. This will be Monday thru Sunday and include federal holidays. Personnel will have to plan ahead when hosting special events or having guests arrive after 9pm. Please arrange for early access by picking up passes prior to the facility closure and/or plan to escort your guest onto the installation after 9 pm. This does not affect personnel being escorted by authorized sponsors or personnel that already have an access control pass or card. If you have any questions about VCC hours or after hour visitor access to Fort Polk, please contact the VCC at (337) 531-0830.
Incoming Soldiers
Incoming Single Soldiers will live in the barracks located next to the COFs.
The Geronimo Warrior Restaurant is a 5 minute walk and is located next to the Warrior (1st MEB) Fitness Center.
Most up to date information on Fort Polk Acess Control Points (ACPs): Fort Polk Gate Information
The Visitor Control Center opens at 5 a. m. and closes at 9 p. m. This will be Monday thru Sunday and include federal holidays. Personnel will have to plan ahead when hosting special events or when having guests arrive after 9 p. m. Please arrange for early access by picking up passes prior to the facility closure and/or plan to escort your guest onto the installation after 9 p. m. This do not affect personnel being escorted by authorized sponsors or personnel that already have an access control pass or card. If you have general questions concerning after hour visitor access to Fort Polk, please contact the VCC staff at (337) 531-0830.
Slideshow below shows the barracks, Geronimo Restaurant, and Warrior (1st MEB) Fitness Center.
Pictures
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