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Navy Seabee Achieves Third Warfare Qualification in Only Four Years

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080319-06
Release Date: 3/19/2008 11:41:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick W. Mullen III, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- A U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 Sailor completed his third warfare designation on March 15, achieving this career milestone in less than four years.

Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Christopher J. Chandler joined the Navy Sept. 23, 2003. Shortly after Basic Training he began 13 weeks of Construction Mechanic apprenticeship training ("A" School) in Port Hueneme, Calif.

He reported to Beach Masters Unit 1, April of 2004 were he served as floor mechanic in charge of the proper maintenance of Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo's, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements trucks, and High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles.

In January 2005 he participated in a tsunami disaster relief deployment to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives Islands.

He was "pinned" Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist on Sept. 23, 2005 while serving onboard USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).

Less than six months later on Jan. 15, 2006 while attached to USS Tarawa (LHA 1) he earned his second warfare qualification as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.

Chandler reported to "The Professionals" of NMCB 5, April 2006 and has deployed to Kuwait and Okinawa.

While deployed to Kuwait he started on his third warfare designation quest. He successfully completed this quest in Okinawa where he was "pinned" Seabee Warfare Combat Specialist by Cmdr. L.S. Hurst, commanding officer NMCB 5, on March 15, 2008.

"I am very proud of my accomplishment and hard work," said Chandler, "It was not easy, lots of long nights studying and without the help of shipmates and fellow Seabees none of these pins would be on my chest. I owe all my thanks to the great leadership that surrounds me."

Chandler's interests include video games, off-road vehicles, sports and military knowledge.

His future plans include college and he has a goal to obtain even more warfare qualifications beginning with the Fleet Marine Force pin, followed by Naval Parachutist or any other warfare designation possible.

NMCB 5 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements providing host nation construction operations and security in support of the global war on terrorism.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb5/.