Transatlantic Division commander promoted to Maj. Gen.

Middle East District
Published May 19, 2015
Maj. Gen. Robert D. Carlson, the commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, was promoted in a ceremony at the Pentagon May 15.
Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the USACE commanding general and 53rd chief of engineers, promoted Carlson. This was the second time he promoted Carlson; the first time was to brigadier general. Bostick noted that Carlson is a great leader, coach and mentor.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Carlson, the commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, was promoted in a ceremony at the Pentagon May 15. Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the USACE commanding general and 53rd chief of engineers, promoted Carlson. This was the second time he promoted Carlson; the first time was to brigadier general. Bostick noted that Carlson is a great leader, coach and mentor.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Carlson, the commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, was promoted in a ceremony at the Pentagon May 15. Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the USACE commanding general and 53rd chief of engineers, promoted Carlson.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Carlson, the commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, was promoted in a ceremony at the Pentagon May 15. Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the USACE commanding general and 53rd chief of engineers, promoted Carlson.

Maj. Gen. Robert D. Carlson, the commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, was promoted in a ceremony at the Pentagon May 15.

Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, the USACE commanding general and 53rd chief of engineers, promoted Carlson. This was the second time he promoted Carlson; the first time was to brigadier general. Bostick noted that Carlson is a great leader, coach and mentor.

“He is a very technically competent and professional leader,” Bostick said. “He is a caring, dedicated and involved commander who gets to know his personnel. He is the epitome of what reserve Soldiers strive to be…twice the citizen.”

Carlson said his leadership philosophy is based on three main principles: the leader needs to be the standard bearer for the organization, needs to be a mentor, and needs to be the facilitator to the organization.

“As the leader, you are the person up front setting the example by your actions, your deeds and what you say,” he said. “To me that is the key to being the standard bearer. You are able to get up in front of others and lead by example.”

According to Carlson, being a mentor is multifaceted. The audience determines the type of mentorship he provides. When the person being mentored is more junior, he will take more of a hands-on role, teaching and passing on knowledge. A more senior person won’t require the same kind of teaching, and his role as a mentor is more coaching and supporting.

And finally, as a facilitator for the organization, Carlson believes he needs to be able to remove obstacles to help people accomplish their jobs.

“For obstacles that are too big for the individual to solve at their level or at the next level up the chain, that’s when a senior leader needs to get involved and move them forward on a successful path,” he said.

With a strong family tradition of serving in the military, Carlson grew up expecting to follow that example. His father was career military who retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army after serving in the Korean War and twice in the Vietnam War. His grandfather served in the Navy and fought in WWII.

 “I would say our family has a tradition of serving in the military,” he said. “Though I didn’t think it would be a career, I knew I was going to spend some time in the military when I was accepted to West Point.”

Though he came off active duty in the late 1980s, he estimates that in the 14 years since 9/11 he’s been on active duty for at least half of that time, either deployed, in schools or mobilized in the U.S.

As commanding general, Carlson is responsible for the division’s USACE services throughout the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, with projects in 18 of the 20 CENTCOM nations, spanning from Egypt to the Arabian Gulf and Central Asia. The division currently oversees programs exceeding $4 billion annually through district offices located in Afghanistan and Winchester, VA.

Carlson serves not only as the Transatlantic Division’s commanding general, but also as USACE’s deputy commanding general for reserve affairs in Washington, D.C. While it’s not typical to serve concurrently in the two high-level positions, he credits the staff at USACE headquarters with helping to ensure his success.

In his civilian capacity, when not on active duty, Carlson serves as a branch chief at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has a wife and three children, and said he works to balance family and work life.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I’ve been away these last few years as much as I’ve been with them. But my family is very supportive and I try to be there for all the big events. And of course they’re here for mine, including the promotion ceremony.”


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 SAFELY 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.

  • April

    US Army Corps of Engineers delivers readiness capabilities in US Central Command

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the force behind the force, delivering mission-critical infrastructure that sustains and strengthens military readiness in one of the most complex operational environments. Across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the Army Corps of Engineers designs and constructs facilities that enable U.S. forces to operate, train, and sustain mission readiness. A Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility, or TEMF, sets the standard for sustainment operations. A TEMF is a standardized facility designed to provide the U.S. Army with the necessary infrastructure to maintain, repair, and sustain its equipment.
  • March

    From Soldier to civilian: An Army engineer’s life-long dedication to those on the front lines

    Roger Vogler’s journey with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one defined by dedication, experience, and a commitment to supporting Soldiers. Marking 40 years in federal service in February and celebrating 30 years as a licensed Professional Engineer, Vogler – a U.S. Army veteran – reflects on a career that has spanned both military and civilian service and made a lasting impact on the lives of warfighters on the front lines.
  • February

    How an Army Engineer is Making an Impact with USACE in CENTCOM

    In the ever-evolving operational landscape of the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stands as a crucial force in strengthening infrastructure, enhancing security, and delivering the engineering support and services essential for sustained military and partner-nation success. For U.S. Army Sergeant Major Alan E. Thomas, Jr., a seasoned Army engineer and project manager currently serving with the Expeditionary District in Kuwait, the experience of working within USACE is proving to be a career defining experience.
  • USACE and Kuwait mission partners align on missile facility renovation

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers professionals recently joined Kuwaiti defense leaders and industry partners for a weeklong planning session focused on the renovation of the Kuwait Missile Assembly/Disassembly Facility. Held Jan.19-23, 2025, at the Al Hashemi Marine Museum in Kuwait City, the event brought together representatives from the USACE Kuwait Program Management Office, the U.S. Office of Military Cooperation – Kuwait, the Kuwait Air Defense, Kuwait Ministry of Defence Armament & Procurement Authority and Military Engineering Projects, and private industry partners. The goal of the session was to define the full scope of the renovation project and ensure alignment across all stakeholders, reinforcing Kuwait’s air defense capabilities and overall mission readiness.
  • USACE Breaks Ground on Warehouses for Kuwait’s legendary 35th Brigade

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for a critical infrastructure project in Kuwait, Jan. 21. The $39.9 million initiative will deliver five multi-functional warehouses for Kuwait’s legendary 35th Armored Brigade, reinforcing USACE’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and building capacity for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense.
  • Charting Success: Governance Week at USACE’s Tip of the Spear

    In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, success is no accident—it’s the result of careful planning, insightful analysis, and decisive leadership. Sitting at the tip of the USACE spear in Kuwait, the Transatlantic Expeditionary District supports U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, executing a $520 million dollar program that delivers critical infrastructure and engineering solutions across the region. Once a month, the district’s leaders, directors, and chiefs gathered District Governance Week, an essential event where collaboration meets strategy, and data drives decisions that shape the future.
  • USACE Engineer earns PE, strengthening the mission from the frontlines

    Balancing a high-tempo mission in the U.S. Central Command area of operations with the rigorous demands of professional certification, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Expeditionary District engineer Tanner Cowan pushed himself to new heights—earning his Professional Engineer license while actively supporting critical engineering, design, and construction efforts. His achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also enhances USACE’s ability to deliver engineering excellence in one of the world’s most complex operational environments.
  • November

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division attends opening of facility supporting Veterans

    Officers assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division attended the grand opening of Shenandoah University’s Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE) last month.
  • More than a ceremony: The weight of leadership for an Army CSM

    While a new commander’s arrival brings a Change of Command—a formal passing of authority—the role of command sergeant major, or CSM, carries a different weight. For the CSM, it isn’t about authority; it’s about responsibility. The Change of Responsibility ceremony is a testament to that unique and often unseen duty—a duty that runs through every layer of the U.S. Army, from the strategic missions to the day-to-day lives of Soldiers and civilians.
  • October

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division Personnel Support Hawaii Wildfires Recovery

    Several staff members assigned to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division were activated to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers response to the Hawaii wildfires.