U.S. Army Engineer School Commandant’s Reading List from U.S. Army Engineer School. I hope every member of the Army Engineer Profession – Soldier and Civilian – will find reading these books to be as beneficial as I have throughout my career. Life-long learning is a major goal of today’s Army. Learning through other’s experience is a very efficient way to achieve wisdom far beyond our experience levels. It is a truism that “…if you want a new idea, start by reading an old book….” A directed reading and writing program in our units and sections will help us develop our critical thinking and increase our base of knowledge by learning through others’ experiences.