As the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2020, I think back to all the wonderful experiences and people that I’ve met within the 40 years that I’ve been a part of the organization. I am a lifetime member.

What is SAME?

The Society of American Military Engineers began in 1920 as a result of World War I, during which civilian and military engineers worked together meeting wartime engineering challenges. After the war, industry and military leaders vowed to capitalize on the technical lessons and camaraderie shared during their battlefield experiences and created an organization through which the national engineering community could ensure preparedness and readiness for the nation’s civil and military needs. 

100 years later, the organization has grown to nearly 30,000 professionals representing the uniformed services; state, local, and federal agencies; nonprofit associations; academic institutions; and private-sector firms. One of the most valuable activities SAME enables is a forum for discussion, interface, and relationship-building that connects the military and civilian engineer communities.

The Next 100 Years

As the society looks to its next 100 years of service, its goal is to continue to lead efforts to address the infrastructure-related challenges facing America. In this next century, SAME will continue to enhance civilian industry and government engagement, while continuing to encourage project partnering. The society will also continue to develop leaders who will drive collaboration on the basis of trust and provide engineering leadership for the nation.

With a worldwide shortage of STEM professionals being a serious issue, SAME will continue investing in the industry and those going into the profession to help maintain the pipeline of STEM professionals for years to come. The society is also preparing veterans to enter the architecture, engineering, and construction industry after their military service is over. With so much uncertainty the future brings, we need new thinking, innovative materials and techniques, and bold leadership to plan for and operate in this uncertain environment. Engineering challenges will directly impact national security for decades to come and can only be solved through collaboration.

Benefits for Being a Member of SAME

Building Relationships
SAME is a valuable organization for our country because it builds relationships and communication between military and civilian engineers. SAME has given me the opportunity to meet and interface with many folks I knew when I served in the military, but more importantly to meet many new professionals both inside and outside the government.

Networking
The society operates through local chapters that hold monthly meetings featuring various topics of interest and networking opportunities. These gatherings provide a place to establish relationships with local government engineers, engineers working in other firms, and professionals in the same industry.

Conferences
Each year, SAME hosts several major conferences that help bring together members of the engineering profession.  The Joint Educational Training Conference (JETC) provides a great networking and educational opportunity for all engineers.  And the Small Business Conference (SBC) has become one of the largest of its kind, now also including the Veteran’s Administration, bringing small businesses and large together in a forum focused on delivering engineering solutions for the nation.

Professional Development
A practical value of participating each month is that SAME presentations routinely offer PDH credit to enable members to maintain necessary licenses, credentials, and certifications.

Leadership Positions
One of the society’s goals is developing leaders for the profession. SAME has committees, councils, and board positions that can help an engineer gain valuable skills while advancing the Society and building strong relationships.

Strengthening Resilience in the Community
A strategic goal of the society is strengthening resilience in the communities where we live and work. The society wants to help engineers think out of the box with innovative techniques and materials to create stronger communities that are prepared for an environment of uncertainty. Making our communities stronger enhances our national security.

Please join me in congratulating the Society of American Military Engineers on a successful 100 years of service to our nation, and wish them another 100 years of great success.