Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick assumes command of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick became the 53rd U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general and U.S. Army chief of engineers during an assumption of command ceremony today at Baruch Auditorium, Fort Lesley J. McNair.  Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III hosted the event.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/DC12138 )

"I absolutely believe Lt. Gen. Bostick is the right person to lead the Army Corps of Engineers," Austin said during his remarks.  "He is one of the smartest, most gifted general officers of our time, with the ability to do well and thrive in any environment."

At USACE, Bostick serves as the senior military officer overseeing most of the nation's civil works infrastructure and military construction. He is responsible for more than 37,000 civilian employees and 600 military personnel who provide project management and construction support to 250 Army and Air Force installations in more than 100 countries around the world.

Bostick also oversees USACE's diverse missions such as hundreds of environmental protection projects; the regulatory permit program to protect, restore and enhance thousands of acres of wetlands; and the emergency response mission to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In addition, as the chief of engineers, Bostick advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs.

"Now, more than ever, the nation needs a lean, agile, strong, capable, competent and trusted Corps of Engineers.  One that serves the Army and nation; and one that truly teams with our many military, federal, state, local government, host nation governments, tribal, academia, industry and non-government partners to solve the engineering and scientific challenges facing the joint force, the nation and the global community," Bostick said. 

"I'm committed to working with all our partners to continue the rich traditions of the Corps, meet the needs of this country and always deliver," he added.

Lt. Gen. Bostick graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  He holds a master's in civil engineering and mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.  He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia.

SOURCE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers