What’s in a name?
“Pioneer” is a reference to the military term. Pioneers are not infantry, nor are they true engineers; yet, they are able to perform the duties of the infantry or light combat engineer as required. These skills are applicable to a wide range of community services, and the American Pioneer Corps goal is to continue to serve the United States of America through these skills. This goal is achieved through comradery, leadership development, and more tangible services including the formation of Search and Rescue teams and Wildland Firefighting teams.
History.
The United States Marine Corps had Pioneer units through WWII, and the term dates back to Roman military use.
The tasks to earn an APC Pioneer rating are based on a mix of general skills, firefighting, and select tasks from the U.S. Marine Corps training standards for combat engineers and the (now retired) combat assault battalion. Some people have asked why some of our tasks (though few) involve conducting breaching or other similar events - the reason is simple:
APC is a leadership development organization. To conduct the tasks required to earn a Pioneer rating, not only are you required to learn a number of new skills, but you must learn to efficiently make decisions, develop plans, communicate them to others, and take action. If APC Pioneers cannot perform all these actions, we will fail.
Rules for participation
Apolitical
We are an apolitical public service outdoors/scouting organization. Any person participating with the APC must refrain from engaging in partisan political speech or activity during APC events, and while displaying the APC name or logo on apparel, signage, or otherwise. This does not however restrict discussing legislation which would directly impact APC activities or the organization as a whole
Age
Participation is limited to persons 18 years of age, except persons 16 years of age may participate with their parents notarized consent. Individuals aged 13 - 15 may participate only if their parents or legal guarding is physically present during the activity in which the minor wishes to participate in. Any commissioned officer of the armed forces, or public notary, may certify a parent’s consent for their minor to participate.
Legal
No persons who has been convicted of a felony, or received a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge from the armed forces may participate in APC activities without being granted a waiver, with any specific restrictions, in writing from APC senior leadership. Senior leadership who may grant such a waiver will consist of a board made of at least one current or former law enforcement officer, or a current or former commissioned officer of the armed forces.
If you meet these requirements, membership into the American Pioneer Corps only requires you to be present at one of our formally published events of a chapter near you. If no event is near you and you would like to start a local APC chapter in your area, please contact us and we will assist you in setting up your own local chapter.
Ratings
Ratings are not ranks, they are a title indicating an individual having achieved proficiency in certain basic tasks to a given level. To obtain a rating, a member must have at least two other witnesses unrelated to them sign that they have satisfied the criteria for the task they are attempting to achieve. All Pioneer Candidates will record their progress in the American Pioneer Corps Task Book; these books will be issued to members at formally published events, or can be purchased from our soon to be released online storefront.
A person is not required to be an enrolled member of the American Pioneer Corps to participate in training, or to pursue and achieve a rating. Tasks required for a Pioneer rating can be completed at any point* once an individual is rated 3rd Class or higher, however an individual must complete all requirements of both the rating sought, and any lesser ratings, before formally being recognized at their desired rating.
Provisional Candidate.
In order to achieve a Provisional rating, a prospective candidate must:
Complete one hike, 3 miles in length with at least two other persons unrelated to them as witnesses.
The prospective member must complete the hike in under an hour while carrying 25lbs (excluding water weight) in a pack, and long gun.
The prospective member may choose to omit the long gun and instead add an additional 10lbs dry weight to their pack.
This hike may be waived if the candidate chooses to complete a 6 mile hike towards 3rd Class Pioneer Candidate for their initial hike.
Pioneer Candidate 3rd Class
In order to achieve a 3rd Class Pioneer Candidate rating, a provisional member must:
Within 90 days of their first hike, complete at least two additional hikes, each covering a minimum of 6 miles while maintaining an average of no less than 3mph (20 minute mile).
Have completed cumulatively 18 miles of qualifying hike distance, not including any hikes of a distance less than 3 miles.
Complete the above 3rd Class requirement while carrying a minimum 35lbs pack (dry weight, excluding water) and long gun, or 45lbs pack without long gun (Standard Hike Conditions).
Pioneer Candidate 2nd Class
In order to achieve a 2nd Class Pioneer Candidate rating a 3rd Class Pioneer Candidate must complete the following:
Complete any armed service Physical Fitness Test based upon the male standard (regardless of candidate gender) for their age group with a minimum score of “Satisfactory” in each event.
The Candidate must also complete at least one additional maintenance hike of no less than 6 miles, under Standard Hike Conditions
Pioneer Candidate 1st Class
In order to achieve a 1st Class Pioneer Candidate rating, a 2nd Class Pioneer Candidate must complete the following:
At least one hike of 8 miles, under Standard Hike Conditions.
Complete accredited Basic Life Support (BLS) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Stop the Bleed medical training, or a more advanced medical certification (Combat Lifesaver, TCCC, EMT, etc.)
Pioneer Apprentice
In order to achieve a Pioneer Apprentice rating, a 1st Class Pioneer Candidate must:
Complete an armed forces Physical Fitness Test with a minimum satisfactory score for a 30-34 year old male, regardless of candidates age or gender.
Qualify with a rifle either through completing Pioneer core event 1371-RIFL-1000 or by shooting at 70% or higher at a full distance CMP or NRA service rifle match.*
Navigate with a map and compass, protractor, locating a minimum 6 out of 8 objectives, each of which are at least 600m apart, no greater than 1500m apart. Four legs must be night.
Complete at least one hike of 10 miles, under Standard Hike Conditions.
Pioneer
In order to attain a Pioneer rating, a Pioneer Apprentice must:
Complete all mandatory core events.*
Have demonstrated during their pursuit of a Pioneer rating the ability to have effectively navigate a varied terrain with a map and compass.
Have demonstrated a working knowledge of basic radio communications.
Have demonstrated the maturity and judgement which should be expected of an individual charged with leading his peers.
Complete at least one hike of 12 miles, under Standard Hike Conditions.
*All core and elective events are found within the American Pioneer Corps Task Book.
Any member who completes the hike for the rating they are attempting to achieve in under a 4mph pace (15 minute mile), shall use the designation of Specialist after their rating. ie; Pioneer Candidate 2nd Class, Specialist.
*Hikes may only count towards the individuals next higher rating; ie an individual cannot count a 12 mile hike completed while a Pioneer Candidate 3rd Class as fulfilling the Pioneer rating 12 mile hike requirement.