Becks both receive awards before departing the Transatlantic Division

Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (left), presents Sally Beck with the Meritorious Public Service Medal. The award was given to Sally for all the work she did supporting families across the Army – specifically the men and women assigned to the Transatlantic Division during the command of her spouse, Col. (P) Chris Beck (right). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (left), presents Sally Beck with the Meritorious Public Service Medal. The award was given to Sally for all the work she did supporting families across the Army – specifically the men and women assigned to the Transatlantic Division during the command of her spouse, Col. (P) Chris Beck (right). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Transatlantic Division Commander Col. (P) Chris Beck was presented with the Legion of Merit for his service as the Division commander during a ceremony June 16, 2020 at TAD’s Headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, just prior a formal ceremony where Beck relinquished command of TAD. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Transatlantic Division Commander Col. (P) Chris Beck was presented with the Legion of Merit for his service as the Division commander during a ceremony June 16, 2020 at TAD’s Headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, just prior a formal ceremony where Beck relinquished command of TAD. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (left), presents Sally Beck with the Meritorious Public Service Medal. The award was given to Sally for all the work she did supporting families across the Army – specifically the men and women assigned to the Transatlantic Division during the command of her spouse, Col. (P) Chris Beck. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (left), presents Sally Beck with the Meritorious Public Service Medal. The award was given to Sally for all the work she did supporting families across the Army – specifically the men and women assigned to the Transatlantic Division during the command of her spouse, Col. (P) Chris Beck. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award was presented while practicing social distancing.

Transatlantic Division Commander Col. (P) Chris Beck and his wife Sally were both presented with awards prior to their departure from the Division during a ceremony June 16, 2020, at TAD’s Headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, held just prior a formal ceremony where Beck relinquished command of TAD.

Transatlantic Division Commander Col. (P) Chris Beck and his wife Sally were both presented with awards prior to their departure from the Division during a ceremony June 16, 2020, at TAD’s Headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, held just prior a formal ceremony where Beck relinquished command of TAD.

Transatlantic Division Commander Col. (P) Chris Beck and his wife Sally were both presented with awards prior to their departure from the Division during a ceremony June 16, 2020, at TAD’s Headquarters in Winchester, Virginia, held in conjunction with a formal ceremony where Beck relinquished command of TAD.

The U.S. Army and the Army Engineer Regiment presented Sally Beck with two awards for her service to the men and women of the Transatlantic Division. First, she was presented with the Meritorious Public Service Medal by Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, the 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for her extraordinary contributions to USACE, the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense from June 2019 to June 2020. During this time she significantly improved the quality of life for Soldiers and their families through her dedicated and exceptional service as an Army spouse – and most importantly as a leader and volunteer.

“Since becoming an Army wife, Sally has immersed herself in the Army lifestyle focusing much of her energy on supporting families of other young soldiers. Her passion calls her to pursue this at each new assignment,” Semonite said. “Sally has devoted her time to develop deep relationships with the spouses of the officers under Chris’ command. Her goal is to ensure they fully understand – and take advantage of – the network of programs available to Soldiers and their families across the Department of the Army. She shows that same level of dedication and compassion to the Department of the Army civilian population that is inherent to most USACE organizations."

As he presented the medal Sally, Semonite said: “This is for all you’ve done for the families across the Army. [Because of their mission location] TAD always has people in harm’s way. Whether you have stepped up to take care of your teammates here in TAD or to take care of the teammates from across USACE to deploy on behalf of the Transatlantic Division from other districts, you’ve done a great job.”

Sally was then presented with The Essayons Award for Spouses for her inspirational leadership to the Army Corps of Engineers Regiment and in recognition of her outstanding dedication, devotion and selfless service to the Engineer Regiment. The award read in part: “Your efforts represent the Essayons spirit of ‘Let us try’ and the sacrifice, commitment and steadfast loyalty to your Engineer, the United States Army Corps of Engineers Regiment and the United States Army.” 

The award was presented by Semonite’s wife, Connie, and Kim Houston, wife of USACE Command Sergeant Major Bradley Houston. When presenting the award, Connie said it was designed with spouses in mind. From the red and white ribbon representing the Corps of Engineers, to the service star from which the USACE Castle hangs, to the diamond in the center. “The castle represents our home because spouses are the center of the home, and because no matter where the Army sends us, our home is our castle,” she said.

Connie said a diamond was specifically chosen for the center of the award because diamonds are put under great pressure and go through many changes before they become diamonds, just as military spouses do over the course of their Soldier’s career. 

Beck was then presented with the Legion of Merit for his service as the Transatlantic Division commander. The award cited the colonel’s “exceptional leadership through a period of great change,” including the ability to rapidly respond to increasingly difficult conditions while supporting overseas contingency operations in throughout the Middle East in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibilities, and for supporting the U.S. Special Operations Command construction program globally. These diverse missions were accomplished while the Transatlantic Division also executed its challenging construction missions while continuing to improve project deliver for TAD’s host nation and allied partners.

Following the presentation of awards, Semonite said the Becks are a great couple who have done a phenomenal job throughout their career. “What a tremendous, positive influence to the Army and the community at large these two have made,” he said.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all awards were presented while practicing social distancing.


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division serves as USACE’s tip of the spear in one of the most dynamic construction environments in the world, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS, BUILDING CAPACITY, and ENHANCING SECURITY for our nation, allies, and partners. 

We deliver agile, responsive, and innovative, design, construction, engineering and contingency solutions in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and other global partners to advance national security interests.

Transatlantic Division News

  • February

    USACE Transatlantic Division: Setting Extraordinary Standards as ‘Partner of Choice’ in CENTCOM AOR

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division stands as a pivotal force in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Since the 1950s, the Division has actively shaped the landscape of engineering, design, and construction across the Middle East. Transforming from its initial focus on basic military construction, the Division now leads sophisticated, large-scale infrastructure projects, demonstrating a deep commitment to building capacity and enhancing security in the region. By setting and consistently upholding extraordinary operational standards, it has established itself as the ‘partner of choice.’
  • January

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Commander Promoted to Brigadier General

    Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General during a ceremony here Jan. 16.
  • October

    On Solid Ground: Army Values are the Foundation of USACE Transatlantic Division’s Mission

    With a history of more than 70 years in the region, the Transatlantic Division oversees more than $5 billion in projects including military construction programs, force protection innovations, and security cooperation initiatives, strengthening Army readiness, enhancing vital infrastructure, and deepening global partnerships. Each action reinforces the Army's unwavering commitment to its service members and global partners.
  • USACE Innovation: The Key to 'Building Strong' in the CENTCOM AOR

    For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division, innovation is the essential energy that drives success. From the initial development phase of a project, through the design and construction, and well into the operational phase, innovation drives the relentless pursuit of excellence, supporting sustainable strategies and fostering the development of long-lasting, reliable solutions.
  • September

    USACE Transatlantic Division supports Typhoon Mawar disaster relief

    A staff member assigned to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division was activated and sent to Guam from June until July to assist FEMA, federal partners and territorial officials’ response to the typhoon which caused significant impacts to essential services throughout portions of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, including water, energy and transportation.
  • ‘Go Army, Beat Navy’: A Time-honored Rivalry Transformed into Integrated Partnership in Bahrain

    In a series of key leader engagements, U.S. Army Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, visited Bahrain on Sept. 11, to fortify the already strong inter-service partnerships with the Naval Forces Central Command and Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
  • August

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division participates in Eagle Resolve 2023

    Two staff members assigned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 21- 25, 2023 to participate in Eagle Resolve 2023, a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with the U.S. military and partner nations, enhances the ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores USCENTCOM's commitment to the Middle East.
  • June

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division welcomes individual mobilization augmentees for annual training

    Soldiers arrived here this month to participate in a variety of training and readiness events as part of their duties as individual mobilization augmentees assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division.
  • Being All We Can Be – The Transatlantic Division’s 70+ year legacy remains an integral part of the U.S. Army's enduring story

    As the nation commemorates the U.S. Army's 248th birthday on June 14th, the Army Corps of Engineers stands as a strong pillar of support, reaffirming its indispensable role in fortifying the Army's mission. With a rich and storied history dating back to the Revolutionary War, the Army Corps of Engineers has steadfastly provided a strong foundation, showcasing its significance in diverse operations, infrastructure development, and disaster response efforts. The Army's enduring motto, "Be all you can be," resonates deeply with the Army Corps of Engineers and our collective commitment to Building Strong as we march forward to the shout of “Essayons! (Let us try).
  • Safety at the Tip of the Spear – USACE Transatlantic Division highlights Safety program across the CENTCOM AOR

    The Transatlantic Division serves as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ tip of the spear in one of the most dynamic construction environments in the world. Ensuring that building strong is synonymous with building safely, the Transatlantic Division’s Safety Office maintains an unwavering dedication to the well-being of the service members and civilians who execute the nearly $5 billion dollar program in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Forces Command and other global partners across the Middle East and Central Asia. The CENTCOM AOR presents unique and varied safety challenges, from diverse environments like deserts, seaports, and urban areas, to wide ranging cultural considerations and diversity of languages, as well as security considerations surrounding ongoing military operations. The Transatlantic Division and its Districts overcomes all of this and continues to set the standard for Safety programs in the region.