Although it has a major civilian work force in its civil works area, the Corps of Engineers is a vital part of the Army, and support to the Army is an important mission of every Corps district.

Vicksburg District has always taken this support role very seriously, working with the active Army, Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC), reserve components, and Army National Guard at every opportunity.

The hundreds of thousands of project acres around the lakes, clear and forested, offer ideal areas for many types of military training, ranging from parachute drops to temporary construction. District construction projects provide excellent experience for West Point and ROTC cadets studying engineering. Army helicopter pilots log many hours of valuable flying time during high water emergencies, helping the district maintain watch on hundreds of miles of levees. These flying patrols add to the pilots' experience and provide an indispensable service to the Corps.

The Vicksburg District's service to the Army is more direct in other areas. Many of our civilian employees are also members of the Army Reserve and National Guard, often performing similar duties at both jobs. Their work enhances their ability to serve the Army, and their time with Reserve or Guard units increases their job skills. More importantly, these employees often share an increased understanding of the hardships and rewards of military life.

The district's active military officers also play an important role in Reserve and Guard training. Every year, one or more of the district's officers serve as evaluators during annual two- week training. Their experience in the active Army helps them offer constructive advice to Guard and Reserve units.