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U.S. Navy: Enlisted Rating - Construction

Enlisted Rating Insignia

The enlisted rating badge for Petty Officer Third Class and above consists of two parts. The chevrons indicated the pay grade (rate). Between the chevrons and the eagle is a specialty insignia indicating the Sailor's job specialty (rating). These insignia appear in silver on blue uniforms and Navy blue on white uniforms. For E-3 and below, the insignia appears above the rate stripes. This table shows the rating insignia for construction specialties (the Seabees). The other groups are Administration/Medical/Dental, Aviation, and Engineering and Hull specialties.

Roll your mouse over the insignia to view the job description for each rating.

Construction Specialties

Navy builders are like civilian construction workers. They are 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. A five-year enlistment is required. CEs are responsible for the power production and electrical work required to build and operate airfields, roads, barracks, hospitals, shops and warehouses. The work of a Navy CE is equivalent to civilian construction electricians, powerhouse electricians, telephone and electrical repairmen, substation operators, lineman and others. A five-year enlistment is required. CMs maintain heavy construction and automotive equipment - buses, dump trucks, bulldozers, rollers, cranes, backhoes, pile drivers - other construction equipment and service vehicles. They work on gasoline and diesel engines, ignition and fuel systems, transmissions, electrical systems and hydraulic, pneumatic and steering systems. A five-year enlistment is required. EAs provide construction engineers with information needed to develop final construction plans. EAs conduct surveys for roads, airfields, buildings, waterfront structures, pipelines, ditches and drainage systems. They perform soil tests; prepare topographic and hydrographic maps and survey for sewers, water lines, drainage systems and underwater excavations. A five-year enlistment is required.
BU - Builder
( Note 1)		 CE - Construction Electrician
( Note 2)		 CM - Construction Mechanic
(Note 3)		 EA - Engineering Aide
(Note 1)
EOs work with heavy machinery such as bulldozers, power shovels, pile drivers, rollers and graders. EOs use this machinery to dig ditches; excavate for building foundations; break up old concrete or asphalt paving and pour new paving; loosen soil and grade it; dig out tree trunks and rocks; remove debris from construction sites; raise girders; and move and set in place other pieces of equipment or materials needed for the job. A five-year enlistment is required. SWs rig and operate all special equipment used to move or hoist structural steel, structural shapes and similar material. They erect or dismantle steel bridges, piers, buildings, tanks, towers and other structures. They place, fit, weld, cut, bolt and rivet steel shapes, plates and built-up sections used in the construction of overseas facilities. A five-year enlistment is required. UTs plan, supervise and perform tasks involved in the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of plumbing, heating, steam, compressed air and fuel storage and distribution systems, air conditioning and refrigerator equipment and sewage collecting and disposal facilities.  
EO - Equipment Operator
(Note 3)		 SW - Steelworker
(Note 1)		 UT - Utilitiesman
(Note 2)		  

NOTES
*Note 1: BU, EA, and SW become CUCM at pay grade E-9,
*Note 2: CE and UT become UCCM at pay grade E-9,
*Note 3: CM and EO become EQCM at pay grade E-9

Last Update: 28 June 2009