🛠️ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Personnel Ranks and Asbestos Exposure Risk
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a vital role in military construction, civil works, and infrastructure development throughout the 20th century. From power plants and dams to field barracks and combat engineering units, asbestos was a common material in building components, vehicles, and equipment maintained or installed by Corps personnel—particularly from the 1930s through the 1980s.
Enlisted Personnel
👷 Private (Pvt) / Private First Class (PFC) / Specialist (SPC)
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Performed general construction duties in facilities containing asbestos insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling panels.
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Mixed or applied asbestos-containing joint compound, adhesives, and fireproofing materials on job sites.
🧰 Construction Equipment Operators
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Handled machinery insulated with asbestos heat shields, brake pads, and gaskets.
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Exposed during maintenance or when removing engine covers or electrical housings.
🏗️ Concrete & Masonry Specialists
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Cut or drilled into asbestos firebrick and cement boards during building renovations or demolitions.
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Worked near HVAC ducting and pipe lagging wrapped with asbestos tape or cloth.
Non-Commissioned Officers (E-4 to E-9)
🧱 Corporal (Cpl) / Sergeant (Sgt)
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Supervised teams installing electrical, plumbing, and structural systems in pre-1980s buildings.
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Encountered friable asbestos in floor tile replacement and overhead duct work.
🧪 Engineering NCOs
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Managed environmental and safety compliance, often with minimal asbestos hazard awareness.
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Oversaw retrofits and demolition of old buildings without proper containment methods.
🔧 Utilities / Electrician NCOs
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Rewired asbestos-lined conduit and opened up asbestos-insulated panels during facility upgrades.
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Performed soldering and welding near degraded asbestos materials.
Warrant Officers
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Managed complex engineering logistics and oversaw technical teams exposed to asbestos while maintaining legacy infrastructure.
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Reviewed blueprints and specs involving asbestos materials used in base utilities and plants.
Commissioned Officers
🧑✈️ Second Lieutenant (2LT) to Captain (CPT)
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Led engineering platoons during field operations and base construction in asbestos-containing environments.
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Often assigned to oversee maintenance or repair of older structures built before asbestos regulations.
🧑✈️ Major (MAJ) to Colonel (COL)
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Commanded engineering battalions stationed at Army installations across the U.S. and overseas.
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Operated in command centers with legacy asbestos floor and pipe insulation.
🧑✈️ General Officers
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Oversaw large-scale infrastructure projects involving asbestos-laden military housing, hospitals, and industrial facilities.
Common Asbestos Exposure Sites for Corps Engineers
| Site / Equipment Type | Risk Level | Exposure Description |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plants & Pump Houses | Very High | Asbestos in boilers, turbines, valves, and pipe insulation |
| Administrative Buildings | Moderate | Asbestos floor tiles, mastic, and drop ceiling panels |
| Bridge & Dam Construction | High | Fireproof coatings, pipe insulation, and control panel gaskets |
| Repair Depots / Shops | High | Equipment repairs near friable asbestos panels and lagging |
| Housing Projects | Moderate | Drywall compound, tile adhesives, and joint insulation |
Mesothelioma Settlements
| Case Summary | Settlement Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran diagnosed after replacing boiler insulation on AO vessel | $4.9 million |
| Fuel handler worked around degraded pump gaskets | $4.5 million |
| Pipefitter exposed during overhaul of insulated transfer lines | $4.1 million |
| Sailor slept near asbestos-tiled deck above engine compartment | $3.8 million |
Legal Help for Army Corps Veterans
Army Corps of Engineers veterans exposed to asbestos may qualify for substantial compensation—even if exposure happened decades ago and off-base.
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Over $30 billion available in asbestos trust funds
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Legal claims do not affect existing VA benefits
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Free case review—no fees unless successful
📞 Call 800.291.0963 for your free legal case review today.