Story by Lt.j.g. William Mitchell, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11

CHUUK, Federated States of Micronesia - The ground-breaking ceremony was held on February 27, 2018 at Chuuk High School. The dignitaries in attendance included Ambassador Robert Riley from the U.S. Embassy in Kolonia, Pohnpei; the Director of the Chuuk Department of Education, Mr. Graceful Enlet, and many more from the Chuuk State Government.

  [caption id="attachment_16059" align="alignnone" width="618"] Seabees, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Construction Civic Action Detail FSM, set up the ground-breaking ceremony for their project to construct a two room addition to the local high school. (Photo by BU3 Yamilet Perezrivera)   Building the school will provide much needed infrastructure for the island but building relationships with the locals will allow the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 to give the community the tools needed to develop their own economy and allow them to be self-sustainable. NMCB 11 Seabees are working to establish an apprentice program during their time in Chuuk. Ambassador Riley urged the community to Work directly and closely with the Seabees, who are true experts in construction techniques. Teaching the local populace how to properly execute Seabee-proficient skilled trades would enable them to repair and maintain their infrastructure for many years to come. The Civic Construction Action Detail (CCAD) is in Chuuk to complete Humanitarian Assistance projects while providing support for the local community through apprentice training, military enlistment preparation, basic community health assistance, as well as unyielding community relation involvement. The Civic Aid project that the CCAD is tasked with is to build a new two-room classroom at Chuuk High School. The project is estimated to be completed on July 28, 2018, providing the 875 students at Chuuk High School more space for classes and after school activities. The community relations aspect of the CCAD s mission is being accomplished by conducting ASVAB training three days a week to the students at Chuuk High School, establishing an apprenticeship program to develop the technical expertise of the local community, teaching the high school students basic medical procedures such as CPR and continuously participating in local events.   [caption id="attachment_16060" align="alignnone" width="618"] Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) (Feb. 27, 2018) From left to right: Graceful Enlet, Director of Chuuk Department of Education; Ambassador Robert Riley, U.S. Ambassador for the Federated States of Micronesia; Jason Reiong, Principal of Chuuk High School and Ensign Brennan Poch , Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Officer In Charge break ground on a five month project to construct a two-room classroom addition to the Chuuk High School. (Photo by BU3 Yamilet Perezrivera)   NMCB 11 is part of the Naval Construction Force specializing in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. The battalion s homeport is in Gulfport, Miss.