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Seabee Leadership Gets Back to Basics During Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090722-32
Release Date: 7/22/2009 10:19:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW/PJ) Ryan C. Delcore, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (NNS) -- The chiefs and officers of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 completed their khaki field training exercise (FTX) in order to develop their tactical skills, improve teamwork and build camaraderie June 4.

The leadership of NMCB 133 did everything during their one week FTX that will be expected of their troops.

A lot is demanded from the junior troops of a battalion. The FTX rekindled NMCB 133's leadership's appreciation for what their Seabees accomplish day in and day out. The khaki leadership attended one week of in-class courses to familiarize themselves with weapons, first aid, communications, land navigation and other skills that are useful in a tactical environment before going to Camp Shelby, Miss. for their FTX.

Many of the khaki leadership had not dug a fighting position or gone on patrol for quite a while. The FTX was a great opportunity to hone their skills while completing these tasks. Setting a good pace while digging with an entrenching tool, rotating out to stand armed security while your partner dug and drinking enough water to stay hydrated were some of the intricacies involved in setting up a solid fighting position.

Each chief and officer had the opportunity to go on a day patrol and a night patrol during the FTX. Keeping their ears open, their mouths shut and their heads on a swivel was the only way to spot aggressors while moving from checkpoint to checkpoint. Getting the aggressor in their sights and firing of the first well placed shot was the best signal to let their squads know they were being attacked. Keeping eyes looking over a 360-degree radius at all times while moving could also help save lives.

The instructors from Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport's 20th Seabee Readiness Group were successful making sure the khaki leadership of NMCB 133 was prepared to pass on the many life-saving skills they practiced to their junior troops. A lot of hard work and even more planning is involved in a FTX. Days covered in mud, sand and sweat from head to toe, where the lemon poppy seed cake in MREs (meals ready to eat) is the highlight of the day are worth it when gaining the knowledge and skills needed to help troops save their shipmates' lives and complete the battalion's mission with minimal casualties.

"It was great training that we can bring back to the junior troops… anything to add tools to the tool box," said Chief Builder (SCW) James Mason of NMCB 133's Charlie Company.

NMCB 133 is getting ready for their battalion FTX this summer. The annual FTX will get the battalion the training it needs to operate in areas of increasing violence when it goes on deployment next year.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb133/.