Seabee questions!!!

[jcsmahnke]

Oi. I'm considering joining the Navy, the Seabees specifically. I have a wife and baby boy, and I am worried about being gone all the time. How long are most Seabee deployments, and how frequent are they? Also, are they stationed on shore or on a ship?

anyother advice on joining the Navy with a family is most welcome.

thanx.

[forcedj]

The separation from loved ones due to deployment is part of the sacrifice you make when you enlist. Depending on your family situation, deployment separation can make those bonds stronger. On the other hand, sometimes it can weaken those bonds. I wasn’t a Seabee…and I could be wrong…but I think their deployment lengths are pretty much like the rest of the deployable Navy. That is…they’re generally six months in length. As far as the frequency I’m not sure. Again using the afloat Navy as a reference…units depart for deployment about every year-and-a-half to two years. Usually on a standard 3-year assignment to a ship you’ll catch one or two deployments. I guess there are a few Seabee billets attached to sea duty but it’s really not very many. Most all of their duty is on the shore side. For example: In Rota, Spain there is a Seabee camp. Navy Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) rotate through there on their deployments. Rota is their headquarters where the main body of the battalion remains. From there, detachments are sent out around the theater for various work. When their deployment draws to an end they all return to the battalion, clean their equipment, and go home.

Joining the Navy with a family is no big issue. People do it every day. You, and your family, just have to be able to accept the lifestyle changes and the challenges associated with being on active duty. Good luck on your decision.

Dan

[EO2]

I dont know if you found your answer. But as a former seabee from NMCB1, station in gulfport,MS. I can tell you that the SEABEE community is a very demanding organization. And you need to have a strong desier to learn and to achieve your goals. Not only to mention that is very hard to get into the seabees.

As far as deployment goes, now you would stay in homeport for a year long an deployee for six to eight months. In the time you are in homeport is the time were learn more about your job, go to school and spend quality time with your family.

For deplyment status, in your 5yr tour, you will deployee at a minimun 3 times. Unless you volunteer to go to some special jobs, that they might have going on around the states.

Good luck.