Seabees Cash In on Reenlistment Bonuses

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- With their advanced party already on the ground overseas, 41 Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 reenlisted March 10 while preparing for deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

NMCB 5 Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Alex Kohnen conducted the mass reenlistment ceremony for the Port Hueneme Seabees.

"It was a tremendous honor for me to be able to do this," said Kohnen. "I have participated in many reenlistments in my career, but this was by far the largest. I was greatly honored to have the chance to preside over this."

NMCB 5 had two groups of reenlistees. One group of 11 Seabees were getting ready to mount out for deployment while the other group of 30 was already days into the deployment reenlisting on Camp Morrell Kuwait.

The combined selective reenlistment bonus (SRB) total for the day was $452,220, tax free.

For many Seabees the SRB was not the determining factor behind the decision to reenlist.

"The reason I chose to reenlist is simple," said Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Raymond Crespin. "I simply enjoy what I do, not to mention it's a rewarding career."

The reenlistment ceremony took place only a few days into NMCB 5's deployment. With five months left to go on deployment, NMCB 5's Chief Career Counselor Michael Blaauw predicts there will be many more to come.

NMCB 5 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Commands warfighting support elements currently deployed to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan providing contingency construction support to NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in direct support to Operation Enduring Freedom.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb5.