Navy Seabees: An Employer's Untapped Resource
Ready for the Trades
It was June 6th, 1944, and U.S. Naval Forces were stealthily approaching the shore of Normandy.
As the rest of the U.S. military forces waited silently to stage their attack on German forces, the
Navy Seabees were ashore to destroy the steel and concrete barriers that the Germans had built in
the water and on the beaches to forestall any amphibious landing. Working against the constant
threat of German enemy fire, the Seabees worked to plant explosives that would blow holes in the
enemy's defenses allowing for the amphibious assault of tens of thousands of Allied fighting men.
After the initial landing Seabees quickly constructed pontoon causeways, offshore cargo and docking
facilities, piers, and breakwaters constructed by sinking old cargo ships that would help transport
hundreds of thousands of tons of war material and ultimately more than a million Allied fighting
men leading to the end of World War II.
Since that time Navy Seabees have provided critical infrastructure to our nations armed
forces at home and abroad. The Seabees are known for working quickly and efficiently under
pressure, building overseas military bases and constructing thousands of miles of roadways and
airstrips as part of the U.S. armed forces mission. In fact, much of the infrastructure built by
the Navy Seabees during World War II is still used by our armed forces. And today over 17,000 men
and women are serving as active duty and reserve Seabees in current operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
A Navy Seabee’s skills are impressive and developed under a unique set of circumstances.
These servicemen and women must be determined, focused, and able to adapt quickly under pressure.
Navy Seabees take a great deal of pride in what they do, knowing that their work must endure. There
are a wide range of occupations the U.S. Navy trains in the Seabee programs, including construction
mechanics, equipment operators, utilitiesmen, construction electricians, ironworkers and
engineering aides. All are trained under the strictest, most professional sets of guidelines and
standards.
A Seabee must be a fast learner, equipped to handle a wide variety of tasks, and able to work
under stress. Builders, for instance, need to understand how to build and repair wood, concrete and
masonry structures while also knowing how to install sheet rock, paneling, ceramic tile, or trim.
At the same time, they must also master combat skills, remaining prepared to react in any given
situation and maintain mission readiness, which includes preparedness for disaster and recovery
operations.
After boot camp, candidates spend 75 percent of their training time immersed in hands-on
training. Similar to many trade schools and labor-management sponsored programs, the other 25
percent of this training is spent in a classroom setting learning about the trade. On top of this
training, Seabees must master courses in basic combat first focusing on land navigation, how to
conduct patrols, and lay out defensive plans and then the basics of managing a rifle. Seabees are
expected to maintain this great degree of versatility throughout their time in the service, which
contributes greatly to the overall force.
When a Navy Seabee leaves the military, this versatility is a natural fit for the civilian
workforce. The training is extensive, and while not always focused on the same specific
certifications and tests as demanded by the civilian national training standards, it is just as
vigorous.
Veterans who enter the workforce through programs like Helmets to Hardhats come from an
experienced background like that offered by the U.S. Navy Seabees. So, atop a determined attitude,
ability to work well with others, and great ability to adapt and learn quickly, these candidates
also come pre-trained and well-versed in their career fields. Their service, dedication, and skills
developed in the military have served our national security interests, and can now be the backbone
of any organization, providing an example to other skilled workers in the industry.
