NMCB 3 Charlie Promotes Team Building

NAVAL BASE VENTRUA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 conducted small unit leadership (SUL) training designed to increase team-building skills, including tactical and general military skills, leadership skills, and construction skills Dec. 10.

Charlie Company was divided into four groups during the weeklong event, which was designed to test the various teams' abilities prior to the battalion's April field training exercises (FTX) and August deployment.

Highlights of the week included a hike on Chumash Trail, fire defense plan training and a confidence course. A constant theme during the week was to utilize outdoor training as opposed to the traditional indoor classroom setting.

"Our focus was to allow our small unit leaders to teach at a direct level, what we call fire teams. It allowed them to take charge and mold their individual troops," said Lt. j.g. John Casilio, Charlie Company 1st Platoon commander. "Also, I got the chance to see who would take the opportunity to get creative and show leadership initiative."

The training instilled confidence and built a better foundation for the company to work together.

"SUL week was an opportunity for me to step back from the daily office routine and let my small unit leaders run the show," said Ensign Josh Senecal, Charlie Company 2nd Platoon commander. "This is only a preview of the ideas we have to build our teams and make them stronger."

The week was designed to drill down and determine the fire teams' abilities, strong points, and weak points before heading out on FTX and deployment. By understanding these strengths and weaknesses, the company will now be able to adjust their operations based upon of the teams' abilities.

"In the past, the first time you got to know your squad was during FTX. There was a period where you really didn't know your team's capabilities or how they would perform on a job site," said Builder 2nd Class Angela Rudy. "This week was beneficial getting hands-on exercises well in advance of deployment."

NMCB 3 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements providing host nation construction operations and security in support of the war on terrorism, from the Pacific Southwest region.

For more news from 30th Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/30NCR/.