Kaiserslautern Celebrates 70 Years: How an Iconic Post Stands the Test of Time

Navigating shifting geopolitical realities, base closures, and constant military rotation, Kaiserslautern Post remains an exemplar of SAME’s overseas presence for 70 years.

The summer of 2025 marked a milestone for Kaiserslautern Post. The 70^th anniversary of this iconic Post represented more than a celebration for its dedicated members; it revealed an enduring legacy and highlighted the importance of the Society’s mission in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

By the end of World War II, the United States had stepped into the role of a powerful and influential world power. Its increased presence on the world stage also meant an increased physical presence in Europe, which would only grow as the world entered the Cold War era and its new technologies, new power dynamics, and new threats to the United States and its allies. SAME matched the pace of the growing engineering challenges at home and abroad and, going where the need was, Kaiserslautern Post was formed ten years after V-E Day.

I am certainly passionate to make sure the Europe Posts and Field Chapters thrive…I think we all are
Charysse Knotts, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, F.SAME, Europe Deputy Regional Vice President

Kaiserslautern Post was the second SAME Post to be incorporated in Europe. Two years earlier, in 1953, the Heidelberg Post had received its official charter, making it the first SAME Post in the Europe Region. Between 1953 and today, there have been over 33 active Posts in the Europe Region, spread across Germany, the U.K., France, Spain, Iceland, Turkey, and others.

However, as needs shifted and national security focuses moved with the ebb and flow of geopolitics, many of the Cold War-era Posts closed. Today, the U.S. military presence in Europe is only ten percent of what it was at the height of the Cold War. In 2013, Heidelberg had closed its doors for good. Of the twelve Posts in Germany, only Rhein-Main and Kaiserslautern remain active, and of those two, only Kaiserslautern has operated under its original charter for 70 years. “That’s pretty amazing,” said Charysse Knotts, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, F.SAME, Europe Deputy Regional Vice President. “Many Posts that were here in Europe have shut down.”

Adapting Strategies for a Changing World

Keeping a Post in Europe functioning year after year presents its own unique challenges. Unlike U.S.-based Posts, military personnel in Europe are stationed for short periods of time and Posts have little or no access to Student Chapters. “The challenge is that your government and your military are usually only there three to five years, so continuity is a challenge,” Charysse said. “I’ve always been a big proponent of having your board made up from your sustaining member companies. Also, Posts in the U.S. will have a relationship with a university, who will have a Student Chapter. In Europe, that’s difficult with the universities there.”

As their longevity and resilience might suggest, Kaiserslautern has learned to cope with these challenges over the years. “A few years ago,” Charysse said, “we branched out and opened up STEM scholarships to the International School. And then the STEM chair opened it up even further to other schools across Europe. So we have a really robust STEM program that is skyrocketing!”

Additional Reading

SAME's Expanding International Focus
2026 Europe Tri-Services Regional Summit
Recapping the 2024 Europe Tri-Services Workshop

Building Bonds For The Next 70 Years

Shifting political currents, rapidly changing technologies, and evolving military priorities are not new variables for Kaiserslautern or for the Society. Kaiserslautern’s location in Germany has made it a natural platform to help meet the demand for SAME’s mission in other parts of Europe. Working closely with the Rhein-Main Post, the Poland Field Chapter was chartered in 2024 under their supervision, and in 2025, the Post guided the establishment of the Italy Field Chapter. The 2024 Europe Tri-Services Regional Workshop, held in Naples, Italy, and the upcoming 2026 Europe Tri-Services Regional Summit in Frankfurt showcases the importance and relevance of the European Region.

Kaiserslautern Post’s announcement of their 70th Anniversary celebration.

The future of the Society remains with its dedicated and passionate membership, the health of its Posts, and the continuing establishment of Field Chapters. “As a host Post, you’ve got to mentor Field Chapters and help them grow,” said Charysse. “I am certainly passionate to make sure the Europe Posts and Field Chapters thrive…I think we all are.”

In August, 2025 Kaiserslautern held a much deserved celebration for crossing the 70-year mark. Members from local Posts, their families, and Sustaining Members joined in the festivities that celebrated the Post for its unique and storied history, and for their continuing role in building and sustaining a strong defense infrastructure in Europe. “70 years is a milestone, but thriving is a choice,” Charysse said.

Post Best Practices

Post Best Practices focuses on exemplary programming, events, and outreach conducted by SAME’s local Posts. Through these interviews, Post leaders share their insights, lessons learned, and knowledge on how they are making an impact on the engineering needs of the communities where they live and work.