Throughout the decades, SAME has, time and again, been “where it is needed, when it is needed”—displaying a flexibility to stand up a presence in areas overseas demanding strong industry-government collaboration, often aligned with U.S.-led strategic objectives. These locations complement long-standing Posts abroad, such as in Germany, which celebrated 70 years of an SAME presence in summer 2025.
Many times, the international surge over the years coincided with wartime deployments, an emerging focus to enhance allied partnerships, or to support a major U.S.-led infrastructure program, such as at King Khalid Military City. Nearly 50 years ago, to augment the large-scale construction of the military cantonment in Saudi Arabia, at the time a $6 billion program, an SAME Post was formed in 1980 and in less than four years had become the third-largest in the Society. As the multi-year project neared completion the King Khalid Post’s future was limited. Noted TME in 1984: “Being faced with this fact does not dampen the spirits of members of the Post; rather it increases their resolve to become the shortest but brightest star in the Society’s history.”
These recurrent periods of international growth for SAME ebb and flow as the nation’s defense posture aligns to address urgent, impending, or potential threats. Once again another such period of international SAME expansion has arrived; in fact, it already has been quietly forming now for a few years.
Other once-active overseas Posts such as the Baghdad Post during Operation Iraqi Freedom; several in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War (Saigon, Cam Ranh Bay, Siam and Da Nang); and throughout Europe in the years during and after World War II, including the Heidelberg Post among many others, exemplify the role that SAME has played in providing a platform for focused international cooperation among government agencies, U.S. industry, and foreign-based engineering companies.
Even some with very brief lifespans still felt intrinsic value in their establishment, proudly calling themselves an SAME Post. In 1991, a joint service group of military engineers involved in Desert Storm received a provisional charter for a Northern Iraqi Post. But, said the requestor, “hurry, because the word redeploy could be used at any time.” That Post did close after a year—yet in its short existence these troops provided vital beddown support, repaired bomb-damaged runways, and provided housing, water, and sanitary facilities for displaced civilians. That they could convene as members from different services through SAME gave them a forum to share lessons learned and best practices, while providing a setting to develop personal connections and relationships they could count on in theater.
These recurrent periods of international growth for SAME ebb and flow as the nation’s defense posture aligns to address urgent, impending, or potential threats. Once again another such period of international SAME expansion has arrived; in fact, it already has been quietly forming now for a few years. This international focus reached a steady drumbeat during 2025 with new Field Chapters forming in Australia, Italy, and Ukraine, following a thriving Poland Field Chapter chartered in 2024. Indicators are promising that growth is positioned to continue.
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Intrinsic Purpose
For SAME, supporting national security on the front lines overseas is fundamentally part of its organizational vision to “serve as the trusted integrator across the A/E/C and related professions in addressing our nation’s economic and security interests at home and abroad.” By uniting allies and partners through the U.S.-based engineering industry and in cooperation with government agencies stationed in these areas, SAME Posts and Field Chapters can be highly effective in bridging gaps, sharing best practices, remaining attuned to risks and challenges, and being part of efforts that benefit U.S. interests and allies.
The emphasis on international growth for the Society (and the opportunity to support the military services and federal agencies that have increasingly complex objectives and program requirements overseas) was a leading topic addressed at the fall 2025 meeting of the SAME Executive Advisory Group.
Since 2022, nearly 300 new members have joined SAME who live outside the United States or its territories—that includes 130 individuals over just the last 12 months. There is also a total of 56 member companies that are headquartered internationally (not including U.S.-based firms with overseas offices). More than half of these joined during 2025 alone.
The heightened focus on how SAME members are advancing U.S. and allied engineering and infrastructure priorities is not limited to the newly formed chapters. In fact, SAME President Mike Huffstetler has traveled to several events outside the contiguous states over the last year, with a most recent trip to Japan in December 2025 underscoring the impact the Society has. “I was honored to attend the 2025 SAME Japan Forum hosted by the Japan Post,” Huffstetler says. “I was so inspired by the complexity of the mission and the genuine joint-service collaboration that is essential to national defense and security in Japan and indeed throughout the region. The Japan Forum hosted over 400 government and industry participants representing 174 agencies and companies from the United States and Japan. They all were there to foster greater collaboration in addressing the immense challenges we face together across the Indo-Pacific.”
The Japan event was the latest in a series of SAME-hosted engagements in the region, highlighted by the SAME Indo-Pacific Regional Summit in September 2025. Drawing more than 1,000 attendees to Honolulu, the workshop served as the culmination of a year-long focused engagement strategy to connect key partners and stakeholders throughout the region. SAME leadership and representatives from each of the military services and several allies including Japan, Korea, and Australia were on hand.
Looking ahead to 2026, the SAME Europe Tri-Services Regional Summit aims to match the effects SAME saw in the Indo-Pacific; the jointly organized event in Frankfurt, Germany (March 3-5) will emphasize project delivery and readiness challenges in Europe and surrounding areas. Other recent regional events, such as the 2025 Arctic Forum hosted by the Anchorage Post, and large-scale industry days held in Korea and Guam, in addition to Japan, are helping build an international network of engineering capabilities and relationships. Back home, the San Juan Field Chapter in Puerto Rico has grown substantially over the last two years as well. And now with a new district office for the Corps of Engineers on the island, robust industry-government engagement is helping advance important projects in the Caribbean. The encouraging outlooks for all the new Field Chapters formed within the last couple of years only strengthens the Society’s mission to “lead collaboration.”
Emerging Demand
Earlier within the last decade, SAME had stood up Field Chapters in several international locations. Many comprised a core of committed members interested in supporting military/federal project delivery in their regions. Other chapters were formed through an initiative led by the former International Committee. While the United Kingdom Post was one that matured into a full Post, others in Doha, Djibouti, Bahrain, and Rota remained small local groups that enabled A/E/C expatriates and host nation partners to gather in a professional setting. In contrast, the chapters established in the last 18 months within Europe and Australia intend to steadily expand their membership, recruit corporate members, and collaborate to host larger regional programs and events—each focused on a path toward being permanent Posts.
The emphasis on international growth for the Society (and the opportunity to support the military services and federal agencies that have increasingly complex objectives and program requirements overseas) was a leading topic addressed at the fall 2025 meeting of the SAME Executive Advisory Group. Representatives from each of the four new chapters formed since 2024 presented to the engineering chiefs on their impact to date and the potential they see ahead for supporting the Society’s goals and objectives, which, by extension, will directly help advance national security interests and engineering readiness.
For SAME President-Elect Ben Matthews, who currently oversees the Membership Group on the National Leadership Assembly, which includes Posts/Regions, the resurgence in international field chapters is exciting. “This reminds me of my days as a young officer over 20 years ago during the early part of the Global War on Terror. My first assignment was Aviano AB in Italy, where my commander said: ‘Congratulations, you are now a member of the Dolomiti Post!’ My second assignment at Kunsan AB in Korea came with involvement in a SAME field chapter. In both cases, we rallied around the mission and servicemember needs, and appreciated the conduit that the Society provided to us.”
Adds Huffstetler, “As we elevate the role that SAME can play in bringing together industry and government within the vast geographies abroad, the results are impressive: whether in the Arctic, the Hawaiian Islands, or across the tyranny of distance in the Pacific, the joint engineering community is stronger, and more connected, when we come together and build the bond.”
The SAME Ukraine Chapter formally was established in July 2025. Its seeds, however, were nearly four years in the making, and owe to the persistence and foresight of several SAME members who understood the value of driving partnerships to deliver solutions.
Poland Field Chapter
The Poland Field Chapter was chartered in February 2024 and quickly launched its first briefing with three company members initially. The chapter was formed in response to a noticeable increase in engagement from individuals and companies in Poland with nearby SAME Posts in Germany, Rhein-Main and Kaiserslautern. Many Polish-based professionals were already active in these Posts due to geographic proximity and had recognized the value of SAME membership. Additionally, several companies with strong involvement in the Germany Posts maintain business operations in Poland. Recognizing this overlap and growing interest, the proposal to start up a dedicated chapter in Poland was put forward to better serve and connect this emerging community.
In May 2024, the chapter hosted an online Membership Brief that attracted over 120 attendees and helped grow its base. Its first major in-person event, an Industry-Government Engagement Day focused on the Poland Provided Infrastructure Program, an initiative that is laying the foundation for U.S. military operations in Poland for the next 50 years, took place in Poznań in August 2024. The event drew nearly 100 participants and fostered positive collaboration between Polish and U.S. agencies.
By its first anniversary, the chapter had grown to 20 company members and celebrated its 100th individual member following another successful industry-government engagement event in October 2025. The Poland Field Chapter also introduced a monthly webinar series. With a dedicated volunteer team, and a targeted plan to incorporate U.S. and Polish military involvement in its board, the chapter continues to embed SAME’s mission and values into the local market and expand its impact. Poland aims to graduate to full Post status over the next 12 months.
“When we started the Poland Field Chapter, we knew there was interest from current and prospective members, but the growth has been faster than anyone imagined,” says Chris Wilks, Chapter President. “It really shows how important our presence is in this region. Poland continues to play a key role in global security, and as we move into 2026, our goal is to become a full Post, keep building membership, and create networking and events that support our members while advancing U.S. and Polish priorities.”
Italy Field Chapter
The Italy Field Chapter was officially chartered in April 2025 under the direction of the Kaiserslautern Post. The move marked a continued strategic expansion of SAME in southern Europe. Historically, SAME sponsored three Italy-based Posts: Naples (1955), Sicily (1995), and Dolomiti (1997), which all closed within a few years. Re-establishing the Italy Field Chapter, centered in Naples, came about following sustained interest from industry and government stakeholders. The initiative was spurred by active members affiliated with Rhein-Main and Kaiserslautern, alongside SAME corporate members with longstanding engagement in the region.
With the express purpose of strengthening collaboration between U.S. and allied government entities and industry partners, the Italy Field Chapter directly supports national security objectives and promotes technical advancement in A/E/C professionals. Its rapid development and early successes reflect the commitment of a strong volunteer leadership and the enduring relevance of SAME’s mission in Europe.
Following its chartering, the Italy chapter swiftly organized, appointing chairs for membership, programs, STEM outreach, and communications. An inaugural virtual briefing in September 2025 attracted 40 participants from diverse technical backgrounds. The chapter has demonstrated alignment with the Society’s mission and 2030 SAME Strategic Plan, expanding its footprint within the Europe Region through targeted programming and outreach. The Italy Field Chapter held a STEM-focused Career Development Day at Aviano AB, sponsoring a breakfast for nearly 200 educators. In October, it hosted a lunch-and-learn on utilities surveying at military installations. In December, it has joined discussions with other Posts/Chapters in Europe to plan 2026 programming. Overall, the chapter is focused on supporting infrastructure planning and development at U.S. naval installations across Italy, while exploring opportunities for industry participation in eventual Ukraine reconstruction. It aspires to reach full Post status in 2027.
Australia Field Chapter
The Australia Field Chapter was officially chartered in June 2025 and is the first-ever SAME chapter in the country. With a mission to bridge military, government, and industry sectors in defense and infrastructure in Australia, the chapter forms at a pivotal time with projected U.S. military expansion in the country, with growing infrastructure investment in the northern region in particular. The U.S. Navy established a Resident Officer in Charge of Construction – Australia in 2018. Projects through the U.S. Force Posture Initiative and Enhanced Air Cooperation aim to enhance joint military operations and training exercises between the U.S. and Australia, increase engagement with regional partners, and strengthen security commitments in the Indo-Pacific. Investment is projected to be significant in the decade ahead. The country also is a leading location for mining and critical materials. In 2025, reports put over $18 billion in mining deals completed in 2025 in the country; partnerships with the United States, Japan, and Korea are actively leading to investment in critical minerals projects.
SAME’s Australia Field Chapter, as of November 2025, had 30 individual members, six corporate members, and three agency representatives. There is active recruitment ongoing across major Australian cities including defense contractors and engineering firms, in addition to personnel with the Australian Defence Force.
Since its June 2025 establishment, the chapter has held activities in conjunction with the 2025 SAME Indo-Pacific Regional Summit in Honolulu in September, then held a networking mixed in October in Darwin, and a networking event in Sydney in November. Its leadership sees potential for regional expansion through multiple city hubs. An increasingly collaborative partnership between the U.S. and Australian governments portends optimistic progress for the new chapter.
Ukraine Field Chapter
The SAME Ukraine Chapter formally was established in July 2025. Its seeds, however, were nearly four years in the making, and owe to the persistence and foresight of several SAME members who understood the value of driving partnerships to deliver solutions.
In February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, changing the dynamics of Europe and the world. In the nearly four years since, government buildings, utilities, infrastructure, businesses, and homes have been destroyed—with estimates now at over $540 billion in nationwide infrastructure damage that will need rebuilding. Later in 2022, SAME established a Ukraine Reconstruction Working Group, which took on the responsibility of informing the membership (individuals, agencies and corporate firms) about the pressing magnitude of the eventual rebuilding effort and the importance of advanced planning. Even though it was then too early to talk reconstruction details, many of those involved in the working group knew first-hand what to expect from prior reconstruction experiences in post-conflict areas. The lesson learned is that planning and coordination between government and industry before peace is reached is essential to mission success. While the Ukrainian government has shown remarkable resiliency, the volume and extent of infrastructure damage would tax the capabilities and capacity of any nation to fully recover on its own. As stated during a panel session on the Ukraine Rebuild at the 2025 SAME Federal Small Business Conference in Phoenix, “nobody has ever rebuilt a country by themselves; it takes a community.”
SAME’s Ukraine Reconstruction Working Group developed a relationship with the Ukraine State Special Transport Service, its equivalent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the last three years, that grew into an understanding that having a sustained in-country collaboration among American and Ukrainian engineering firms was valuable. Meetings followed with industry members as well as with the Corps of Engineers, including at SAME national events and even at the SAME National Office, which provided a neutral space for the two agencies to discuss parameters of a potential partnership. Move ahead to spring 2025 and senior leaders across sectors gave the charge to create a Ukraine Field Chapter and elevate the Ukraine discussion at each SAME national conference. Additionally, a request was made to develop a partnership with the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA), seen as a leader in the Ukraine engagement space.
Led by a cadre of highly motivated members, both stateside and in Europe, and enlisting the aid of the European Region and Blue Ridge Post, the Ukraine Field Chapter was formed. Its first hybrid meeting was held in early September 2025 with an audience of 78. The second hybrid event in mid-October drew 150 people. At both events, the head of the State Special Transport Service served as a featured speaker, which not only provided attendees with valuable insights it helped legitimatize the activities of the new chapter. With now 50 individual members and nine corporate members, the Ukraine Field Chapter was the fastest-growing SAME entity in the region in the fall. Its next major event is a jointly hosted engagement with ISOA in March 2026. And already, the chapter has a scholarship program in development, with $5,000 in donations collected.
According to Chapter President Glenn Goddard, having an SAME presence is crucial to the reconstruction strategy in Ukraine. “The chapter is extremely popular already, also evidenced by the number of non-members who attended our first events. We also hosted a Ukraine Reconstruction Panel at the SAME Federal Small Business Conference in November, along with a Ukraine Listening Session to introduce Ukrainian construction companies and government officials to SAME member companies. Both of these sessions were at max capacity. Going into 2026, we will have monthly online events with a hybrid event once a quarter. The key objective for next year is to bring many Ukrainian companies and educational institutions into SAME and highlight the unique situation they are experiencing so that all SAME members can prepare for the coming reconstruction of their war-torn country.”
Additional Reading
In Focus: Preparing for Ukraine Reconstruction
Recapping the 2024 Europe Tri-Services Workshop
Bridging the Distance: SAME’s 2025 Indo-Pacific Regional Summit Strengthens Critical Partnerships
*The complete list of Posts since 1920, including those formed overseas, is chronicled in the SAME Century Book, the publication honoring the 100th anniversary of the Society, published in 2021. SAME members also can look through the entire TME archives for free when logging in with their member account, and search any Post by keyword.
Strategic Presence
SAME’s first international chapter debuted in 1923 (Manila, later Fil-Am Post), just three years after the Society was founded in 1920. In the decades since, many other Posts in locations outside the United States formed and also disestablished as U.S. priorities shifted to other geographic areas. Some, like the Kaiserslautern Post or Rhein-Main Post in Germany, Korea and Japan in Asia, even Guam, a U.S. territory in the South Pacific, have successfully endured because a strong American investment and U.S. military presence has continued.
Notes Matthews: “SAME’s vision as part of the 2030 SAME Strategic Plan clearly articulates a desire to address America’s economic and security interests both at home and abroad. This integration happens best at the local Post and chapter level, where the needs are most acute and investment is most impactful. It all starts with making connections. I look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 as SAME National President.”
The prospects for the new chapters in Australia, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine are promising because the volunteer leaders who have established them have taken great care in setting up the infrastructure, governance, partnerships, and mission focus that should make them essential conduits to help connect host nation organizations, U.S. government agencies, and industry firms. But even if the coming decade brings changes to U.S. national priorities amid geopolitical shifts and other locations emerge as focal points for engineering partnerships at the point of need, SAME will be ready, to lead collaboration, and be “where it is needed, when it is needed.”
The prospects for the new chapters in Australia, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine are promising because the volunteer leaders who have established them have taken great care in setting up the infrastructure, governance, partnerships, and mission focus that should make them essential conduits to help connect host nation organizations, U.S. government agencies, and industry firms.
News From the Society
SAME’s News From the Society covers historical milestones, reports, and other notable events from across the organization.