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NMCB 11 Det. Guam Constructs for the Future

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100810-20
8/10/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Corwin Colbert, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Detachment (Det) Guam Seabees continue to improve infrastructure to keep Naval Base Guam (NBG) and its tenant commands mission capable.

NMCBs provide responsive military construction support to Navy, Marine Corps and other forces in military operations, constructing base facilities and conducting defensive operations.

On Guam, the detachment's mission is to provide construction and general engineering support to NBG and U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas.

They strive to accomplish this with the highest level of quality, and in a timely and safe manner, while promoting personal and professional development of all personnel, according to Lt. Christopher Sandmel, assistant officer in charge, NMCB 11 Det. Guam.

NMCB 11, homeported in Gulfport, Miss., has personnel deployed to more than one dozen sites across the Pacific Command Area of Operation. The main body element is based out of Okinawa, with Guam being the largest subordinate detachment.

"Guam is a longstanding Seabee deployment site and turned over from battalion to battalion, dependent on the current rotation schedule," Sandmel said.

Det. Guam has no civilian personnel, though contract support operates the galley facilities and provides custodial support on board Camp Covington on NBG. NMCB 11 deploys to Guam a mixed group of Sailors of construction and support rates to work on various projects.

"Det. Guam is currently performing a number of horizontal construction projects, including parking lot construction at the new Joint Region Marianas headquarters and waterline upgrades in Barrigada," Sandmel said. "Other projects the Seabees are involved with include crane operations, camp maintenance, and the upcoming construction of a new medical facility on board Camp Covington. The battalion also operates Orote Point quarry and associated blasting to produce mineral product aggregate."

Sandmel said the experience Sailors receive through these projects can be useful in humanitarian efforts around the world and in the civilian sector.

"A Seabee will learn a wide range of skill sets in the Navy that are transferable to civilian careers," he said. "Seabees are a diverse community and teamwork is part of the foundation of what it is to be a Seabee. Through working in their construction rating, a Seabee learns skilled trades across all areas of the construction field; electrical, plumbing, and carpentry construction skills, as well as vehicle operation and maintenance are just to name a few. Many journeyman programs are offered in these fields through the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program."

Construction Mechanic Constructionman David Lacure said he takes advantage of all the experience he has gained while deployed.

"I have learned so much as a Seabee," he said. "This is the field I wanted to learn in college, and every time I learn something I am excited. Whether I stay in for 20 years or until my enlistment is fulfilled, I hope to use the skills I learned in the future."

Sandmel said the skills and leadership abilities learned at work are the true benefit of being a Seabee.

"Seabees also become experienced leaders and managers of personnel, materials and facilities," he said. "No matter if their career lasts one enlistment or 30 years, the diverse skills a Seabee learns will benefit them during and after they leave military service."

NMCBs have been on Guam since the island's liberation from Japanese occupation in 1944. Seabees were responsible for the initial construction on the island's main thoroughfare, Marine Corps Drive, and helped Guam recover from the devastation of typhoons.