The United States Navy’s Construction Battalions, known as the Seabees, are a specialized force providing construction and engineering support globally. These Sailors blend advanced trade skills with combat training to operate effectively in remote or hostile locations. They are a mobile, self-sufficient technical force, ready to deploy rapidly to build infrastructure for military operations or provide humanitarian aid.
Defining the Naval Construction Force
The Seabees are formally known as the Naval Construction Force (NCF), and the unique moniker is a phonetic play on the initials “CB,” which stands for Construction Battalion. Their identity is defined by their official motto, Construimus, Batuimus, which translates from Latin to “We Build, We Fight.” This motto underscores the NCF’s dual role, setting them apart from purely military or purely civilian construction groups.
NCF personnel are expert engineers and tradespeople who are simultaneously trained as warfighters capable of defending themselves, their construction projects, and their surrounding base camps. The modern force is organized into Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, structured to be expeditionary and fully self-sufficient upon deployment. This combination of technical expertise and combat readiness allows the Seabees to operate in areas where civilian contractors cannot.
The History and Origin of the Seabees
The establishment of the Seabees was a direct response to a strategic necessity that arose early in World War II, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Prior to the war, the Navy relied on civilian contractors to build forward operating bases overseas. However, international law made this arrangement untenable in a combat zone, as captured civilian workers resisting an enemy attack could be legally classified and executed as guerrillas.
Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, recognized the immediate need for a militarized construction force that could legally defend itself while building advanced bases. He requested authority to organize Naval Construction Battalions, recruiting skilled tradesmen from civilian life and giving them military status and combat training. The first Construction Battalion was officially authorized on January 5, 1942, creating a fighting-builder force that would prove indispensable in the Pacific theater.
Primary Missions of the Seabees
The operational scope of the Naval Construction Force is extensive, covering direct combat support and long-term community development projects. Their missions primarily involve expeditionary construction, including designing and erecting critical infrastructure like airfields, deep-water piers, bunkers, and logistics bases in remote environments. This rapid construction capability allows the Navy and Marine Corps to quickly establish a forward presence during military operations.
Seabees also serve as combat engineers, providing specialized support to ground forces under challenging conditions to ensure mobility and survivability. Beyond military operations, the NCF engages in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, providing responsive support in the aftermath of natural catastrophes. They are frequently deployed globally to build schools, medical clinics, and to repair damaged infrastructure, helping to stabilize regions.
Construction Ratings: The Specialized Trades
The effectiveness of the Seabees stems from the diverse and specialized trades, known as ratings, that make up the Naval Construction Force. These seven distinct ratings ensure that every aspect of a construction project, from initial design to final utility installation, can be accomplished autonomously.
Builder (BU)
Builders constitute the largest segment of the NCF, acting as general construction experts who execute the main structural work of a project. They are masters of carpentry, masonry, and concrete work, responsible for constructing and repairing wood, steel, and concrete structures. Builders also handle interior finish work, including installing sheetrock, ceramic tile, and trim, in addition to reading blueprints and estimating required materials and labor.
Construction Electrician (CE)
The Construction Electrician rating focuses on establishing and maintaining all temporary and permanent electrical infrastructure required for a base of operations. Their duties involve power generation and distribution, including the installation of transformers and switchboards, and the wiring of lighting and electrical equipment. CEs are also skilled in repairing electrical motors, relays, and managing camp power grids.
Construction Mechanic (CM)
Construction Mechanics are responsible for the maintenance and repair of heavy equipment and tactical vehicles used by the Seabees. They troubleshoot equipment failures and service diesel and gasoline engines, as well as the hydraulic, electrical, and steering systems of bulldozers, cranes, and trucks. This rating ensures all construction machinery remains operational and ready for rapid deployment.
Engineering Aid (EA)
Engineering Aids serve as the technical backbone of the construction process, performing pre-construction and quality control functions. They conduct land surveys to determine site suitability, prepare detailed topographic maps and architectural blueprints, and calculate material requirements and cost estimates. EAs also perform quality assurance tests on construction materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt to guarantee the integrity of all structures.
Equipment Operator (EO)
Equipment Operators are skilled in maneuvering the heavy machinery necessary for large-scale earthmoving and construction projects. They operate a variety of equipment, including bulldozers, scrapers, graders, backhoes, and cranes, for tasks such as excavation, grading, and roadway construction. EOs also perform minor maintenance on their machinery, ensuring the equipment stays in working order during challenging deployments.
Steelworker (SW)
Steelworkers are the NCF’s experts in structural metalwork, welding, and rigging, providing the framework for larger construction projects. They are responsible for fabricating, assembling, and erecting structural steel elements for buildings, towers, and bridges. Steelworkers manage rigging operations for heavy lifts and are proficient in welding and cutting various metals necessary for structural repairs and fabrication.
Utilitiesman (UT)
Utilitiesmen focus on the installation, maintenance, and repair of all utility systems that provide essential services to a base camp or facility. They are the plumbers and HVAC specialists, managing water, air conditioning, heating, and sewage systems. UTs also operate water purification and sewage treatment plants, ensuring that personnel have access to clean water and sanitary living conditions in any environment.
Becoming a Seabee: Requirements and Training
Joining the Naval Construction Force requires meeting standard U.S. Navy enlistment requirements, including holding a high school diploma or equivalent and being a U.S. citizen. Prospective Seabees must pass a comprehensive physical exam and achieve qualifying scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), with specific minimum scores required for each construction rating. A five-year enlistment commitment is typical for all Seabee rates.
The training pipeline starts with Naval Recruit Training (boot camp) at Great Lakes, Illinois, providing initial military indoctrination and physical conditioning. Following boot camp, candidates proceed to a specialized Class “A” Technical School (A-School), tailored to their specific construction rating. For example, Builders attend A-School for about ten weeks in Gulfport, Mississippi, while Construction Mechanics attend a longer course in Port Hueneme, California. This technical training is followed by additional combat skills instruction, preparing the new Seabees to deploy.