Graduates of the Class “A” Technical School for Sailors in the Builder (BU) rating are assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalions of Amphibious Construction Battalions. While the primary tasks of a Builder involving the construction and repair of wood, concrete, and steel structures, Sailors in a Construction Battalion—“CB” for short, from which the nickname “Seabees” was derived during World War II—are often deployed in support of Navy and Marine Corps operational and expeditionary forces. Subsequently, one of the major task classifications in the Builder Rating is called “Seabee Common Core,” and it primarily involves combat or combat-related duties and jobs and work associated with establishing and maintaining bases and forward operation positions.
Among the Seabee tasks associated with base construction and maintenance are conducting embarkation and debarkation operations, utilizing Advance Base Functional Component systems, planning convoys, establishing tactical defenses, supervising the repair of damaged airfields, conducting defenses against CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) attacks, and carrying out decontamination and personal protection operations.
Among the combat-related certifications BU Sailors must acquire during the course of their career are Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor (SAMI), Crew-Served Weapon (CSW) Instructor, and Very Shallow Water Mine Countermeasures (VSW MCM) Operator. Combat-related tasks include maintenance and use of small arms and crew-served weapons, employing explosive devices (grenades, mines, pyrotechnics), patrolling areas, and taking command and control of units ranging in size from a fire team to a company.
Related Items
Navy Builder (BU) Rating Badge
Navy Builder (BU) Ball Cap Device
CWO Civil Engineer Corps
Hard Shoulder Boards
Soft Epaulets
Sleeve Device
Collar Device
LDO Civil Engineer Corps
Hard Shoulder Boards
Soft Epaulets
Sleeve Device
Collar Device