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1 NCD Commander Visits Seabees in Ramadi, Iraq

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080513-05
Release Date: 5/13/2008 4:10:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Richard E. Cellon, Commander, 1st Naval Construction Division (NCD) paid a visit to the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 at Camp Ramadi on May 4.

"I've been very impressed with what I've seen today," said Cellon as he spoke to a large group of Seabees that gathered at the camp's gym. "I recently saw you when I presented the Battle "E" and Peltier awards and during the Seabee Ball. I can say that you are off to a good start. I just ask you not to be complacent; we want you to come home safe."

The first item on Cellon's agenda included eating breakfast with some of NMCB 3's junior Seabees. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Damitri Green who had the opportunity to sit next to the admiral said he was very impressed.

"He made me feel comfortable talking to him," said Green. "He is a very open minded person, who is interested in the well being of his troops."

As the day progressed, Cellon made his way through the battalion's facilities. He visited the Alfa Company, Delta Company and 22 NCR Class IV yards, as well as supply and headquarters spaces. His target audience was junior Seabees as he was interested in hearing about their experiences and how well they were adapting to the environment in Iraq.

"I thought it was going to be more dangerous," replied Steelworker Constructionman Kayla Gliesner, who was welding when the admiral walked into her shop. "But I am doing great. I get to do what I was trained to do, and I love it every day."

As Cellon went from shop to shop, he presented a few of NMCB 3's top performers with his personal coin.

"I'm pretty hesitant about who I give my coins to," said Cellon to the medical staff at the battalion aid station. "But they tell me there is somebody in this room who is very deserving of one."

There was a brief moment of silence in the room as the corpsmen stood almost frozen with their hands behind their backs.

"And that person is standing right next to me," said Cellon extending his hand to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Elizabeth Gonzalez, inconspicuously delivering his coin with a hand shake.

Her face radiated with disbelief and as she continued shaking the admiral's hand, she thanked him for the recognition.

"It was very meaningful to me to be recognized by the admiral, especially in the presence of my chain of command," said Gonzalez.

Later that afternoon, Cellon culminated his visit at an admiral's call where he discussed the future structure of the Seabees and how the Naval Construction Force was looking for ways to provide more technical skills training during the homeport period.

Cellon's visit to Ramadi was only for a day, as he had additional stops to visit with more of his Seabees in the region.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb3/.