Editing Seabee (section)

== Training and rates ==

[[File:USMC barracks inspection.jpg|thumb|USMC barracks inspection during NMCB 74's [[military training]] at Camp Lejeune in March 1968]]
[[File:M60 instruction at Camp Lejeune for MCB 71.jpg|thumb|USMC M60 instruction at Camp Lejeune for MCB 71 in 1967]]

Trainees begin "A" School (trade school) upon completion of [[Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois|boot]]: 4 weeks classroom, 8 weeks hands-on. From "A" School, trainees most often report to a NMCB or ACB. There, recruits go through four-weeks of Expeditionary Combat Skills (ECS), which is also required for those who report to a [[Navy Expeditionary Combat Command]]. ECS provides basic training in map reading, combat first aid, recon and other combat-related skills. Half of each course is spent on basic marksmanship to qualify with the [[M4 carbine]] and the [[Beretta M9|M9 service pistol]]. Those posted to Alfa Company of an NMCB may be assigned to a crew-served weapon, like the [[Mk 19 grenade launcher|MK 19]] 40&nbsp;mm grenade launcher, the [[M2 Browning|M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun]] or the [[M240 machine gun]]. Many reserve units still field the [[M60 machine gun]]. Seabees were last in the U.S. military to wear the [[U.S. Woodland]] camouflage uniform and the [[Desert Camouflage Uniform]]. They now have the [[Navy Working Uniform]] Type III and use [[All-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment|ALICE]] field gear. Some units with the Marines will use USMC-issue [[Improved load-bearing equipment]] (ILBE).

'''Current rates:'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/nec/NEOCSVol1/Pages/default.aspx |title=Manual of Navy Enlisted Manpower and Personnel Classifications and Occupational Standards |website=Navy Personnel Command |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123051446/https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/nec/NEOCSVol1/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2016/03/04/the-u-s-navy-seabees-rates-to-remember/ |title=The U.S. Navy Seabees: Rates to Remember |first=Annalisa |last=Underwood |website=The Sextant |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506091959/https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2016/03/04/the-u-s-navy-seabees-rates-to-remember/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The current ratings were adopted by the Navy in 1948.
* BU : [[Builder (United States Navy)|Builder]]
* CE : [[Construction electrician (United States Navy)|Construction electrician]]
* CM : [[Construction mechanic (United States Navy)|Construction mechanic]]
* EA : [[Engineering aide]]
* EO : [[Equipment operator]]
* SW : [[Steelworker (United States Navy)|Steelworker]]
* UT : [[Utilitiesman (United States Navy)|Utilitiesman]]

The Seabee "constructionman" ranks of E-1 through E-3 are designated by sky-blue stripes on uniforms. The color was adopted in 1899 as a uniform trim color designating the [[Civil Engineer Corps]], but was later given up. Its continued use is a bit of Naval Heritage in the NCF.

At [[Uniformed services pay grades of the United States#Enlisted pay grades|paygrade]] E-8, the Builder, Steelworker, and Engineering Aid rates combine into a single rate: Senior Chief Constructionman (CUCS). Before NAVADMIN 054/21, at the E-9 paygrade they were referred to as a Master Chief Constructionman (CUCM).

Before NAVADMIN 054/21, the remaining Seabee rates combined only at the E-9 paygrade:
* Master Chief Equipmentman (EQCM) for Equipment Operator and Construction Mechanic.
* Master Chief Utilitiesman (UCCM) for Construction Electrician and Utilitiesman.

Per NAVADMIN 054/21: Constructionman Master Chief (CUCM), Equipmentman Master Chief (EQCM) and Utilities Constructionman Master Chief (UCCM) renamed Seabee Master Chief (CBCM). Those Master Chiefs already in CUCM, EQCM or UCCM ratings were to be automatically converted to CBCM on 15 March 2021, but current source ratings badges were to be retained.

{{Multiple image
|header    =Seabee Underwater Construction Technicians Insignia
|width1    = 120
|image1    = MDV Pin.jpg
|alt1      = Master diver badge
|caption1  = Master Diver
|width2    = 115
|image2    = 1st Class Diver Insignia.jpg
|alt2      = First class diver badge
|caption2  = 1st Class Diver
|width3    = 68
|image3    = US Military 2nd Class Diver Badge.jpg
|alt3      = Second class diver badge
|caption3  = 2nd Class Diver
|width4    = 120
|image4    = USN-USCG Diving Officer insignia.png
|alt4      = Diving officer badge
|caption4  = Diving Officer
}}

[[Navy diver (United States Navy)|Diver]] is a qualification that the various rates can obtain with three grades: Basic Underwater Construction Technician/ NEC B17A (2nd Class Diver), Advanced Underwater Construction Technician/ NEC B18A (1st Class Diver), and Master Underwater Construction Technician/ NEC B16A (Master diver). Seabee divers are attached to five principal commands outside the NCF:
* UCT ONE, Little Creek, VA.<ref name="diver1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/shipwrecks/eng_tech_2/navy_diving.pdf |title=U.S. Navy Diving, Lesson N2b.v2, United States Naval Academy, Spring 2012, Seabee Diver/CEC |access-date=4 May 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806232023/https://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/shipwrecks/eng_tech_2/navy_diving.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* UCT TWO, Port Hueneme, CA.
* [[Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center]] (NFESC) that has detachments in Port Hueneme, CA, and in the Washington Navy Yard, DC. These are CEC officer billets only. Those at Port Hueneme are with the highly technical NFESC "Dive Locker Team".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2016/04/2005.pdf |title=Issue No. 1, 2005, Seabee Magazine, p. 19, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington Navy Yard DC |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=17 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217205320/https://seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2016/04/2005.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[United States Navy systems commands|Navy System Commands]], e.g., NAVSEA or NAVAIR. These are CEC officer billets only.<ref name="diver1"/>
* [[Navy Experimental Diving Unit]]{{Snd}} Navy Diving & Salvage Training Center (NEDU/NDSTC)<ref name="diver1"/>