Originally, a sapper was a military expert trained in the art of demolishing or somehow bypassing systems of fortification. The term sapper is derived from an early 16th Century French word meaning “trench” and became associated with military operations in the 17th Century. When attempting to infiltrate an enemy fortress being defended by one or more cannons, the French military would send special digging units, called sapeurs, to dig trenches, called sapes. From the ground the French cannons had much less range than those mounted on fortress walls, so the trenches were first dug at an angle to bring the French cannons within effective range while protecting the sappers and their followers from enemy fire. Next, while their own cannons provided cover fire, the sappers zigzagged their trenches toward the fortress wall. The cannons followed as closely as possible, suppressing enemy fire with increasing accuracy until the sappers could use tunnels and explosives to undermine the integrity of the fortress.

In modern combat, the term sapper usually refers to any general combat engineer who performs a wide range of duties to impede the movement of enemy troops and artillery while facilitating the progress of allies. These duties typically include laying or clearing minefields and barbed wire, demolition of obstacles and enemy structures, as well as construction and repair of fortifications, roads, bridges, and airfields. To perform their variety of crucial tasks, sappers are equipped with a myriad of tools—from wire cutters and mine detectors to an assortment of explosives.

Though sapper training focuses mainly on combat engineering tactics, a previous engineering background is not required to begin training. Most combat-arms personnel can sign up for a sapper course, which often consists of infantry and artillery personnel working side-by-side with combat medics and cooks to complete the training and exercises.

Military personnel training to become sappers spend about six mentally and physically challenging weeks learning new field techniques. A sapper training course generally consists of five phases that test the limits of trainees. The first phase covers communication and navigation; phase two focuses on patrolling; phase three, reconnaissance; phase four teaches landmine warfare; and the final phase covers demolition.

After completing the five phases, the experience and knowledge gained is tested in a five-day exercise. Trainees are dropped by air into a training area, their mission beginning as soon as their feet touch the ground. With little food and often no sleep, this final test engrains in trainees a sense of what it is like to perform critical tasks in real combat environments.

Employing as much brains as bravado, courageous sappers consistently bring the impossible within reach by thwarting enemy efforts and leading troops through otherwise impassable terrain.