Builders make up the largest segment of the Naval Construction Force. They work as carpenters, plasterers, roofers, concrete finishers, masons, painters, bricklayers, and cabinet makers.
The duties performed by BUs include:
- building and repairing wood, masonry concrete, and steel structures;
- installing interior finish work, including installing sheet rock, paneling or ceramic tile walls and installing ceiling and floor tile, millwork and trim;
- operating carpentry, cabinet-making, and tool and equipment repair shops;
- building forms for concrete construction;
- mixing, placing and finishing concrete;
- operating concrete batch plants, portable concrete mixers and other concrete finishing equipment and tools;
- building wharves, bridges and other heavy timber structures;
- reading and interpreting blueprints and preparing sketches for projects;
- making estimates of material, labor, and equipment requirements.
Working Environment
BU's may work in a variety of conditions, independently or as members of a large team. Their many different duties may be performed in climates ranging from tropical to arctic.
A-School (Job School) Information
Gulfport, MS -- 75 calendar days
After completion of "A" school, people in this rating can expect assignment to a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) in Port Hueneme, CA or Gulfport, MS, or to an Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) in San Diego, CA or Little Creek, VA. NMCBs operate on a rotating basis averaging seven months in home port and seven months deployed to overseas locations such as Spain, Okinawa, Puerto Rico or Guam. Seabees receive additional specialized combat and construction skills training during home port duty.
ASVAB Score Requirement: AR + MC + AS = 140
Security Clearance Requirement: None
Other Requirements
60 month enlistment obligation
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for BU
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 54 months
- First Shore Tour: 36 months
- Second Sea Tour: 46 months
- Second Shore Tour: 36 months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 36 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 36 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
Builder:
Navy BUs are like civilian construction workers. They may be skilled carpenters, plasterers, roofers, cement finishers, asphalt workers, masons, painters, bricklayers, sawmill operators, or cabinetmakers. BUs build and repair all types of structures, including piers, bridges, towers, underwater installations, schools, offices, houses, and other buildings.
Degree Roadmap
