NAVY SEABEES

Comment

Comment by steve on May 21, 2009 at 6:59pm

Hi Paul,Thanks for the heads up.Should be quite a show!
Steve !!!!!!
It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 21, 2009 at 6:40pm

All you dads better tune in !!

Seabees to be Featured on DIY Network
Story Number: NNS090519-33
Release Date: 5/19/2009 7:20:00 PM


By Rob Mims and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Hulle Naval Construction Battalion Center Public Affairs

GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss., welcomed New York-based Leopard Films for a 10-day adventure into the world of Seabees to be aired fall 2009.

Leopard Films was contracted by the Do It Yourself Network to film a one-hour show, "Combat Construction. Seabees – They Build, They Fight."

"We do a show called 'Man Caves' for the DIY network," said Julian Locke, one of the show's producers. "We were in Kuwait doing a man cave, or a troop cave, basically transforming a USO for the troops at Camp Virginia, and we met the Seabees from NMCB (Naval Mobile Construction Battalion) 74, and basically they dug us out of a hole."

"We could have never completed the project without them," Locke said. "We were so impressed with the way they worked; we figured they were a show upon themselves."

"It was a little weird to have the film crew here at first," said Builder 2nd Class Joseph Biccum, "but after a few days the television crew was able to earn the Seabees' trust. They weren't afraid to get dirty," said Biccum. "It was almost like they were a part of the Seabees while they were out here."

While filming, the crew witnessed Seabees from NMCB 74 construct a bridge, Southwest Asia hut, timber bunker and restroom facility all while defending themselves against a simulated enemy attack.

"Being around tools is what I do for a living," said Josh Temple, the host of the special. However, when construction had to stop for simulated mortar attacks, gas attacks and other training scenarios, he described the experience "like walking on the moon."

The film crew also found the lack of power tools unique. When Seabees are in another country on a humanitarian mission or supporting combat operations, sometimes electricity isn't available - so Seabees have to know how to build things manually.

Temple explained he did quite a bit of research on the history of the Seabees before coming out to the field and knew what they were capable of but was still in awe when the team constructed a 30-foot timber tower with exact precision.

The film crew departed Camp Shelby for NCBC to learn where the Seabees acquire the skills used in the field.

They spent one day with instructors at the Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) on board NCBC. NCTC teaches not only basic construction skills to Navy personnel who are training to become Seabees but also Army and Air Force troops who are in construction fields. They teach more than 10,000 students a year.

Temple experienced some of the many advanced courses also taught at the school. He watched as instructors provided one-on-one and group instruction and then tried his hand at welding, operated a bulldozer, excavator, front-end loader and Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) or 7-ton, six-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle.

The last task for the film crew was to find out how Seabees learn the skills needed to survive in combat. Their first stop was the 20SRG Tactical Training Facility Combat Convoy Simulator to experience the virtual world of driving a Humvee and an MTVR in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The six bay simulator, complete with vehicle has a 360 degree view and could be compared to any first-person shooter video game. It is designed to teach Seabees how to operate effectively during convoy operations.

The film crew wrapped up their adventures with a visit to the Expeditionary Combat Skills course. Although they could have experienced courses in basic expeditionary first aid, land navigation, counter-IED recognition, time only permitted them to watch judgment-based engagement training and pistol combat shooting and marksmanship.

Temple said the course brought the realization of the seriousness of the training.

"We are all really hard on ourselves; we want to get it right to show what you guys do out here," he said.

"The more I read [about the Seabees] the more respect I had, and honestly, it's a great thing to be doing this [filming] because I know there are people out there that don't know that Seabees exist," said Temple.

Locke said he doesn't want this to be the last time with the Seabees. He is hoping the network will ask for an additional six episodes.

For more news from Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, visit www.navy.mil/local/ncbcgulfport/.

Comment by steve on May 17, 2009 at 11:42am

Hi Paul,thanks for the article.Hello to all of the Seabee parents out there.Hope all is well with your sailors as well.Always enjoy reading about what the NMCB's are up to and where!
Got a couple of text from James yesterday while we were out shrimping.He and a buddy were at a tattoo parlor so his friend could get a tat.I guess the trade off was that his buddy had to go with him today to do a little skydiving.At least he is settling in and making the most of his time down South.
The class took their first test last Monday and James was all worried,he never did take to math that well,but i told him to just study hard and do the best he could.He called that day and he was one of two to get 100%.This last week was pretty much refresher as they were studying oxycetelyne(sp).He should start learning new skills when the class gets to air ducts as he has never done anything like that as far as i know.
Don't know about James,but the rest of the family is getting stoked the closer he gets to coming home on leave.Got my bike all cleaned up and going to start getting James bike ready this week.Looking forward to going on a ride down the coast here in a few weeks with my buddy.
Well time to back on out of here for now.Update in a couple of day
Steve !!!!!

It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 14, 2009 at 6:52pm

Interesting Read:

Seabees' Can Do Spirit at Work in Afghanistan
Story Number: NNS090513-12
Release Date: 5/13/2009 9:21:00 PM


By MC2(SCW/AW) Patrick W. Mullen III, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, "The Professionals", are in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, supporting NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

NMCB 5 began this deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsiblity (AOR) by deploying an advanced party of more than 300 Seabees to relieve the departing Seabee battalion and establish camp. As a result, NMCB 5's main body was able to hit the ground running immediately upon arrival.

"As soon as we arrived we had to get a proper turn over," Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Ryan Mize said. "Everything from the combat operations center to how far along the projects were. It was a time consuming process, but it allowed us to pick up exactly were the previous battalion left off."

Once the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft carrying the rest of NMCB 5 touched down, the Seabees got to work. The Seabees unloaded five large pallets of organizational gear and proceeded to the tent city they call home during deployment.

"I am very excited to be here," Steelworker Constructionman Viviana Mesa said. "Being here fills me with a sense of pride, pride in being a Seabee. I'm glad that I have the opportunity to support the global war on terror by working with the NATO forces."

The Seabee's say their legendary "can do" attitude and hard work ethic will ensure this demanding five-month deployment to Afghanistan is successful to the end.

"The Professionals" of NMCB 5 are a Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) warfighting support element providing construction support to area commanders. Their mission for this deployment is host nation construction, security, and essential life supporting facilities for United States Forces.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb5.

Comment by steve on May 11, 2009 at 10:43pm

Good evening folks.Well we finally got the show on the road.James started classes last Wednesday.Passed his math portion today ,100%.Whew,had his mother and i on pins and needles all week-end.He was struggling with cubic measurements,but he pulled it out.
Any other parents out there with a sailor at Gulf Port as a Seabee SW or in construction?Maybe in the same class!
Steve !!!!!!!!
It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by steve on May 4, 2009 at 12:14pm

Hello to everyone.Hope you all have had a good week.Looks like James is still in a holding pattern at"A" school.Seems to be getting bumped back with senior noncoms coming into school for the same rating as he is.James spirits are still running high,considering the situation.Not sure how long they will keep sliding him back in training,but hoping it will not be to much longer. Well,everyone have a great week and i will be popping in from time to time.
Steve !!!!!!

It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by steve on April 25, 2009 at 2:14pm

Well folks,starting week 3 of "A" school holding pattern.Looks like James will be in GulfPort for the long haul.Got a text from him yesterday and he volunteered for a community work project to try to stay busy.I think it got him off base for the day!Kind of expected an e-mail from him today,but nothing so far.Best of luck to all and their sailors on this beautiful day!
Steve !!!

It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by steve on April 22, 2009 at 11:54pm

Hi John,not sure what is gonna happen right now.Looks like it could be that James will class up on Monday and if not then it will be in about 6 weeks i believe.Depends on certain duty stations and luck of the draw!Oh well,welcome to the military! Best to Colin and your family!
Steve !!!!!!!

It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

Comment by John on April 22, 2009 at 6:59pm

Steave my son colin had to wait about two weeks to class up in electrician school.
he just finished his first block with a 90%. So he got to leave base this weekend with some of the guy's. They had a good time in Texas. Good luck to James tell him it goes quick John

Comment by steve on April 20, 2009 at 11:15am

Hello to all of the Navy Seabee parents out there.Just a little update on my son James as he progresses on his journey.
James arrived in GulfPort Mississippi on the eve of 4-10-09 at about 2330 hours.He is now starting his second week of waiting to class up as a steelworker.He has heard that it may be as early as next Monday so we are keeping our fingers crossed.Let me know where your sailors are all going if you would like. Wishing the best to your sailors and your families.
Steve !!!!!!!!!

It's not a sin to get knocked down;It's a sin to stay down
"Master Chief Boatswains Mate Carl Brashear"

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• Next ›
• Page