By MC1 Brannon Deugan, NMCB 1 Public Affairs
CM2 Kendra Rauch, NMCB 1, answers questions from seniors during a weekly Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tutoring session, Ebeye High School, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nov. 7. NMCB 1 conducts weekly tutoring sessions in math and reading comprehension to senior students on Ebeye Island. (Photo by HM2 Isaac P. Cajinas/151107-N-ZZ999-363)
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 and members from U. S. Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll s Public Works Department and renovated base housing on Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands, Oct. 28.
Over the past three months, five home interiors have been demolished in preparation for remodeling, while one unit has been completely remodeled. There are 14 houses requiring renovation, and the project has a budget of approximately $9,000 per house.
Tom Johnson (right), U.S. Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll s Public Works Department s project supervisor, and CE2 Scott Tallieu, NMCB 1, drill dry-wall into place during a base housing renovation project on Kwajalein, Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands, Oct. 26, 2015. (Photo by HM2 Isaac P. Cajinas/151026-N-ZZ999-005)
Without the help of the Seabees, it was basically an impossible task when Public Works labor was factored in, said NMCB 1 s Officer in Charge Lt. j.g. Cory Devonis. This is an overall great win-win project for the Seabees and the base. The Seabees are learning great skill sets, while the base will be allowed to utilize the 14 renovated houses on an island with limited space.
This project allowed Seabees to collectively contribute to the project while learning from each other and from Public Works personnel.
I work mainly with electricity and this project had me doing dry wall, mudding and taping, said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Scott Tallieu, NMCB 1. These are trades that I am not too familiar with, but now I am well-versed and feel that if I ever need to perform these skills again, whether at home or at another site, I ll be more than ready.
Throughout the project, NMCB 1 impressed their counterparts with hard work and a desire to learn.
I have never worked with military personnel before, said Public Works Department s Project Supervisor Tom Johnson. I was unsure of how they were going to view me as a civilian, but they really made me feel at ease and they were quick to take tips and not too proud to ask questions. I am most impressed by their ability to learn and get the job done well.
NMCB 1 is a Seabee battalion that specializes in contingency construction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The battalion's homeport is in Gulfport, Mississippi.
The Naval Construction Force (NCF) is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The NCF offers deployable battalions capable of providing contingency construction, disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.
See NMCB 1 in action in other parts of the Pacific:
UT3 Triwick Morlu (left), NMCB 1, and a local apprentice measure a block during construction of a school restroom facility on Yap Island, Federal State of Micronesia, Nov. 5. (Photo by Ens. Greg Laney/151105-N-ZZ999-002)
CECN Latricia Thomas, NMCB 1, conducts an inventory of equipment at Naval Station Guam, Nov. 4. (Photo by CS3 Mayte Melgoza/151104-N-ZZ999-009)
SW3 Nathan R. Knittle (right) and UTCN John O. Cotton, NMCB 1, move metal sheet that will serve as roof layer on a Pre-Engineer Building project on Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nov. 4. The project will produce a large warehouse for storage of valuable equipment and tools on Kwajalein Island. (Photo by HM2 Isaac P. Cajinas/151104-N-ZZ999-340)
BU2 Bryan Peter, NMCB 1, inspects his work on an ongoing block project, Kwajalein, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nov. 3. NMCB 1 is assisting with the construction of a future shower and restroom facility for Marshallese laborers on the south side of Kwajalein Island in support of the U.S. Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll. (Photo by BU3 Julian Nino/151103-N-ZZ999-341)