A pioneer (pronounced /ˌpaɪ.əˈnɪər/) is a soldier employed to perform engineering tasks, originally in France. The word (French: pionnier) was borrowed into English, from Old French pionnier, which meant a "foot soldier", from the root 'peon'[1] recorded in 1523.[2] It was used in a military sense as early as 1626–1627.[3] Captain George Smith defines it as
PIONEERS, in war-time, are such as are commanded in from the country, to march with an army, for mending the ways, for working on intrenchments, and fortifications, and for making mines and approaches: the soldiers are likewise employed in all these things. Most of the foreign regiments of artillery have half a company of pioneers, well instructed in that important branch of duty. Our regiments of infantry and cavalry have 3 or 4 pioneers each, provided with aprons, hatchets, saws, spades, and pick-axes.[4]
In the past it had been a military occupation within the European armies in the Artillery and later Engineer branch of Service. Their primary job was to assist other Arms in tasks such as construction of field fortifications or military camps.[5] During the First World War pioneers were often engaged in construction and repair of military railways.[6]
A similar military occupation to the pioneer is that of a sapper. The United States Marine Corps have sometimes organized their sappers into "Pioneer Battalions".[7]
Many British Commonwealth military forces have assault pioneers as opposed to separate Royal Pioneer Corps Companies or Battalions who perform tasks of labour.