Seabees train for future

Platoon gets hands-on experience

By PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS NICHOLAS LINGO - NMCB 11 Public Affairs

E-Mail

Print Reprint or license

Text Size:

tool goes here

CAMP SHELBY — Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11’s communications platoon are receiving useful hands-on training while assisting CBC’s 20th Seabee Readiness Group’s assessment of NMCB 7’s field-training exercise.

The on-the-job training helps Seabees grasp the intricacies of the equipment used during FTX and on deployments.

“COMMEXs are used to train the communications platoon not just for deployment but for our command post exercises and FTX as well as the graded COMMEX,” said Chief Petty Officer Nathan Admiraal, NMCB 11 communications chief. “We have to start early so we are ready in about three months to be graded on Communications.”

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

“The technical side of this training is mostly beneficial to Seabees, but all rates should understand prowords, numerals, phonetics and the basics of how to observe proper radio discipline,” Admiraal said.

Constructionman Joshua Mitchell, an equipment operator, is absorbing as much information from the evolution as possible.

“I’m learning more here, the hands-on experience is really helpful,” he said. “I know a lot more now after working with this stuff. I have a lot more to learn but this definitely helps.”

The training these Seabees are receiving during the early part of the homeport phase is necessary to help slowly build them into better communicators.

“This allows us to get experience without having to deal with the tactical scenario of FTX right away ... the crawl, walk, run mentality,” said Andrew M. Takach, NMCB 11’s assistant operations officer.

NMCB 11 is preparing for their upcoming deployment in 2010 to the Pacific area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.