By BU1 Garnett Whitmire, NMCB 11 Public Affairs
EA3Deshay Baskin takes the substitute Navy Wide Advancement Exam.Seabees from NMCB 11 CCAD Marshall Islands are deployed to Kwajalein Atoll to complete humanitarian construction projects alongside local workers, and conduct community engagement programs. Photo by Builder 1st Class Garnett Whitmire
Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Marshall Islands, took the Substitute Navy Wide Advancement Exam (NWAE), March 28.
In January, 21 Seabees traveled from Gulfport, Miss. to the Republic of Marshall Islands to complete CCAD humanitarian construction projects alongside local workers, and conduct community engagement programs. In addition to construction project work, many of the Seabeesprovided Armed Services Vocational Assessment Battery (ASVAB) tutoring twice a week at Ebeye Public School on Ebeye Island, Kwjalein Atoll. Using some of the skills they developed during the tutoring sessions, 14 Seabees thentook advancement exams to improve their own careers.
CECNPing Tang and BU3 Kyle Svenson take the substitute Navy Wide Advancement Exam.Seabees from NMCB 11 CCAD Marshall Islands are deployed to Kwajalein Atoll to complete humanitarian construction alongside local workers and conduct community engagement programs. Photo by Builder 1st Class Garnett Whitmire
"Teaching the ASVAB to the students on Ebeye put me in the test-taking mindset early on in deployment, said Construction Electrician Constructionman Jamette Coleman, who tutors Ebeye students in English composition.
The six-month deployment to United States Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, a remote post in the Pacific, presented unusual challenges for exam preparation. Without the homeport resources available at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, the fourteen Seabees banded together to gather
rate-specific study materials. They also organized weekly on- and off-duty study groups utilizing Q&A style techniques, methods familiar from their ASVAB tutoring program.
With low advancement quotas in all Seabee rates, some Seabees saw the exam as a prelude to conversion.
Honestly, taking this exam is a stepping stone and landmark in my journey to cross-rate to Navy Legalman," said Steelworker 3
rd Class Kyrah Alcorn. "I know my rate well enough that Im confident.
Others plan for in-rate advancement.
I feel pretty good; Ive studied a lot, said Engineering Aide 3
rd Class Deshay Baskin.
CCAD Marshall Island Seabeeslooks forward to success this Memorial Day when the results are announced by the Navy Advancement Center.
NMCB 11 is a Naval Construction Force battalion specializing in contingency construction, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. NMCB 11 is currently forward deployed to multiple locations in support of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility. The battalion's homeport is in Gulfport, Miss.
Seabee rate-specific and other advancement exam study material can be found on the main page of Seabee Online.
High-achieving 'Bees in Rota Take Exams
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 take an advancement exam at Naval Station Rota, Spain, April 9. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Barton
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 take an advancement exam at Naval Station Rota, Spain, April 9. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Barton