Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood since 1986, the 1st Engineer Brigade provides training and Leadership development for personnel in the Engineer and Ordnance branches slated to serve in the Army or with the armed forces of a Joint Mission Partner.
The unit was constituted as the 1st Engineer Amphibian Brigade on 12 June 1942 at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and redesignated the 1st Engineer Special Brigade on 10 May 1943. Following participation in four campaigns in the European Theater during World War II, the brigade was deployed to the Pacific, where it took part in the Ryukyus campaign; it was honored with the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its actions during the D-Day landings and in the Normandy campaign.
Following a 40-year period of inactivation, the Brigade was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Engineer Brigade, on 30 September 1986. In addition to its HHC, the Brigade comprises four Engineer battalions: 31st, 35th, 169th, and 554th.
The 1st Engineer Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) was first approved for the Engineer Amphibian Unit on 17 June 1942. A little over two years later, on 10 June 1944, the insignia was approved for wear by all Army personnel assigned to a slew of Amphibian units, including Amphibian Tank Battalions, Amphibian Tractor Battalions, Engineer Amphibian Units, Joint Assault Signal Companies, HQ Ships Detachment (Types A and B), HQ Section (Army) and Amphibian Training Command-Pacific Fleet.
On 20 July 2007, the insignia was given its current designation for the 1st Engineer Brigade, along with an amendment updating the description and the addition of a symbolism.