March 2011 Buzzword

Gas Chamber

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 par-ticipated in a gas mask training exercise at the Naval Construction Training Center’s (NCTC) confidence chamber at Port Hueneme, Calif. February 24, 2011. NMCB 5 is preparing for a battalion Field Training Exercise (FTX) in April. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume)

CO’s Note

CDR Scot T. SandersCommanding Officer, NMCB 5Strength and Honor

CO’s Note

NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION FIVENaval Base Ventura County

To the Professionals of Five! OorahProfessionals!It’shardtobelievewearealreadyfourmonthsintohomeport.Youhavedoneafantasticjobtransitioningfromhighoptempodeploy-mentoperationstotheextremelybusyhomeporttrain-ingcycle.Despitethepaceyouhaveaccomplishedmuch,whilestillmaintainingakeenfocusonsafetyandCaringforoneanother.YoucontinuetoleadtheNCFwiththebestmilitarybearingandconduct.YourstrongCharacteranddisciplineshowsandisworthyofHonor. Phenomenalsmallunitsleadershavejumpedrightintoexecutingseveralcriticalmilitarytrainingevolu-tionsinpreparationfortheFieldTrainingExercise,includingthreecommandpostexercises,twoembarka-tionexercises,squadleaders’fieldexercise,khakifieldexercise,andaverydemandingconvoysecurityelementtrainingpipeline.Inadditiontothemilitarytraining,severalconstructionprojectshavebeguntoenhanceourtechnicalskillswhilebenefitingthesupportedcommandsandbuildingCompetence.TheStrengthofyourCommitmentandCouragehasshonethroughasyouhaverespondedtothechallenge,andcontinuetoimpressmeeverysingleday. Homeportwillclimaxwiththe2ndAnnualViet-nam-6SuperSquadFinals(24/25March),andthenagreatFTX.“Vietnam-6”recognizestheastonishing6toursNMCBFIVEconductedinVietnam;morethananyotherbattalion.Iknowtraininghassomechalleng-ingandfuneventslinedupforthefinals(thinkAirSof.)AfterFTXwewillrollintosummerwithafewhome-portprojects,alighterclassload,andapre-deploymentstanddown. YourpositiveAttitudehasbeen,andisconta-gious,andsetsyouupforfuturesuccesses.Ihavenodoubt“TheProfessionals”willkeepthefullcourtpressonthroughtheremainderofthehomeportandonintodeploymentinbothEuropeandAfrica.ThankyouallforyourLeadership,yourcontinuedproudserviceandtheoutstandingTeameffort.SemperFive!

StrengthandHonor,S.T.SandersCommandingOfficer

NMCB 5 I The Professionals 3

Chaps Note

LT Greg UvilaNMCB 5 ChaplainStrength and Honor

Chaps Note

A couple thoughts from Chaps...

TheSuperSquadcompetitionwasamazing.Theenthusiasmthebattalionoozedthroughoutthesupersquadeventswas“showstopper”spectacular.Theunityofeachsquad,thesupportandconstantbarrageofencouragingwordsforteam-matesmadeusallproudthatwearepartofNMCB5.“Stayfocused,”“Keepyoureyesonme,”“Youcandothis,”“Don’tgiveup,”“You’realmostthere,”somanyphrasesthatrevealedadeepcommitmenttoendurance,perseverance,andrunningtheracewell.Pleaseknowthatthesearethesamewordswedesiretoexpresstoyouourfamilyandfriends,hangtough,persevere,andbenoblewithusasweprepareforourdeployment.MaywerunthisSeabeeracewell,together,oneteam–onefight,proudlyhonoringthecall“whatever-whenever.”Blessingsinyourjourneythisspring,thanksforyourpositivethoughtsandpassionateprayersaswecompleteFTX2011.


Seabee Ball

OntheeveningofMarch5,2011,Seabeescelebratedtheir69thbirthdayattheRonaldReaganPresidentialFoundationandLibraryinSimiValley,Calif.Morethan1,000Seabees,family,andfriendsfromLosAngelesareagatheredaroundtorepresentpride,buildcamaraderie,andtosharetheiruniquehistory. “Youcanenjoyfriendship,seeveterans,andtalkwithpeopleyou’veservedwiththen and now,” said Lieutenant Commander Russell C. Rang, the Executive Officer of the Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS) and Master of Ceremonies (MC)for theevent.“Itmeansalot.” Theeventkickedoffwithacocktailhourfollowedbyawellcateredmeal.Asatradition,cakecuttingceremonywasheldwheretheyoungestandtheoldestSeabeesof the year first cut the cake; this year’s Seabee ball recognized Construction Mechanic Constructionman Apprentice Seberiano Gutierrez as the youngest Seabee and Utilities ConstructionmanMasterChiefJimLampmanastheoldestSeabeeattheevent. “ItwasagreathonortocutthecakewiththeoldestSeabeewithallhisexperienceand rank,” said Gutierrez. “I was surprised I was the youngest Seabee.”

31st Seabee Readiness Group’s (SRG) Commodore Captain John W. Korka (Right) and Command Master Chief Ray Dickey present Marine Corps Brigadier General Lawrence D. Nicholson, the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense an “Honorary Seabee” plaque at the Seabee ball in honor of the Seabees 69th birthday March 5, 2011 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library in Simi Valley, Calif.

Happy Birthday!By MC2(SCW) Ace Rheaume

Gutierrez stated that he is unsure where he willbestationedafterConstructionMechanic“A”School,buthewillbelookingforwardtothechal-lenge. “I like being a Seabee a lot,” said Gutierrez. “I wouldn’tchooseanyotherjob.” Shortlyafter,Seabeeswelcomedtheirguestspeakerontothestage,aMarineCorpsBrigadierGeneralLawrenceD.Nicholson. “As a Marine, the first Navy personnel other thanourcorpsmanwhoI’veworkedwitharetheSea-bees,”saidNicholson,aSeniorMilitaryAssistanttotheDeputySecretaryofDefenseandguestofhonorfortheSeabeeball.“Ihaveproudly[servedand]cer-tainlyenjoyedmytimeservingwithSeabeesacross31years.” Asatokenofappreciation,Nicholsonwaspresented with a handmade cigar humidifier and was namedanHonorarySeabeeforhisstrongleadershipandsupportfortheSeabees. Overall, the event was a dazzling success, many thankstoourleadershipfromallunitsbase-widewhoplannedandarrangedtheevening.“Thetradi-tionrollson,”saidRang.“IthinkwegetbettereachandeveryyearandthevenueoftheRonaldReaganLibraryissuperb.”

Equipment Operator 3rd Class Brandon Welence, a Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, proposes to his girl-friend Tashel during the Seabee Ball.

NMCB 5 I The Professionals 6NMCB 5 I The Professionals 5

Lieutenant Commander Russell C. Rang (Left), the Executive Officer at the Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS) interviews Con-struction Mechanic Constructionman Apprentice Seberiano Gutierrez at the Seabee Ball.

Super Squad 2011

Bravo Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 carry ammo cans through a four-pit run obstacle during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Competition on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif. This team building event was a tribute to NMCB-5’s six time deployments to Vietnam during Vietnam War and tested squads on all aspects of administration, military tactics and physical readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume)


Alfa Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 react after being announced the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Competition on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif.

Super Squad 2011By MC2(SCW) Ace Rheaume

TheSeabeesofNavalMobileConstructionBattalion(NMCB) 5 concluded the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super SquadCompetitiononMarch25,2011atNavalBaseVenturaCounty, Port Hueneme, CA. The final event of this three month longteambuildingcompetitionwasconductedasatributetoNMCB5’ssixdeploymentstoVietnamduringtheVietnamWar,honingtacticalskills,increasingmissionreadiness,anddevel-oping outstanding small unit leaders. The final event was the climaxtothreemonthsofallroundsquadcompetitions,includ-ingvariousmilitarytactics,physicaltraining,uniformandroominspections,drillcompetitions,completionofadminrequirements(PDHA, ISO Preps, DTS, etc…), safety exams, and Seabee his-tory exams. Coincidently, the final event was held on a holiday dedicated to the first Medal of Honor recipients in 1863, known asNationalMedalofHonorday. From1965to1972,NMCBFIVEmadesixconsecutivedeploymentstoVietnam.In1972,thebattalionmoveditsentirecomplementoftroopsandequipmenttoThailand.ThisgiantoperationresultedintheerectionoftheNamPhongAirBasecomplex for the U.S. Marines in record time. For their efforts in bothVietnamandThailandduring1972,NMCBFIVEearnedthe Pacific Naval Construction Force “Best of Type” award. NMCB5alsoreceivedthe1972PeltierAwardfromtheSocietyofAmericanMilitaryEngineersasthemostoutstandingSeabeebattalioninthecountry.ThisfeatwasrepeatedrecentlyasFIVEearned back to back “Best of Type” and Peltier awards for 2008 and2009,andmostrecentlycompletedtheir2ndconsecutivefullAfghanistandeployment,morethananyotherNMCB. Overthecourseofthishomeport,allsquadsconductedtraininginallaspectsofbeingawellroundedsailorandseabeetoincludelandnavigation,patrols,militarybearinginspectionsanddrills, fire plan sketches, Naval history, administrative require-ments,militarytactics,andphysicalreadiness.Eachsquadearn-ing more than 80% of the allotted points through these events had theopportunitytoearnthetitlesupersquad.Overall,13squadsachievedtheprestigiouslevelofSuperSquad,andthetopsquadfrom each company competed in the final events, a complex pa-trolandverychallengingLeaders’ReactCoursetodeterminetheUltimate Super Squad. The best organic squads from Headquar-ters,Alfa,Bravo,andCharlieCompanies,andtheAirDetach-

mentfacedeachotherinaseriesoffriendlyyetphysicallyandmentallygruelingcompetitions. “Wetookourtrainingseriously,”saidBuilderCon-structionmanApprenticeAltonRollins,aSeabeefrom2ndPlatoon,4thsquadinCharlieCompany.“Ittooklotsoftraining.” EachcompanyspentcountlesshourspreparingforSuperSquad.Teamworkwasvitaltocarryouteachtaskefficiently. “We’vedonequiteabitofteamcamaraderiekindofstuff,”saidBuilderConstructionmanApprenticeNathanManning,alsoamemberof4thsquadinCharlieCompany.“WecametogetherasateamandlearnedinformationthatwillhelpusoutwithSCWs,FTXanddeployment.”Man-ning has been in the battalion for five months and is cur-rentlyworkingongettinghiswarfarepin.Manningaddedthat the training has been beneficial and will help him later inhismilitarycareer. “IfIdecidetogointospecialwarfareorsomethinglikethatafterbattalion,thetrainingI’vegained[here]willhelpme,”saidManning.“Thisislikeafoundation,you’rebuildinguptosomethingbiggerandbetterandI’mallforit.” Squadleadersplayedanessentialroleinshapingandteaching their junior troops. “It’s what my job is as a first class,” said Builder 1st Class (SCW/EXW) Kirk Johnson, thesquadleaderof2ndplatoon,4thsquadinCharlieCom-pany.“Ithinkthebestpartofmyjobisteachingtroops.” “Mostofmysquadisjuniorservicememberswithlessthanayearinthemilitary,”continuedJohnson.“Every-thingtheydoisfreshornewforthemandtheyeasilyadapt.I’vebeenprettyfortunate,theseguysarequickandthey’vepickeduponitprettyfast.” TheSuperSquadeventswerephysicallyandmentallydemanding.Thecrowdwaslargeandeachcompanymoti-vatedeachotherwithonegoalinmind--gainingTheNMCB5SuperSquadtitle!Someoftheteambuildingeventsincludedhastybridging,astretcherobstaclerun,lowcrawl,a double dozer rope traverse and more. Screams and shouts

Super Squad 2011

ofencouragementfromfellowSeabeesonthesidelineshelpedtomotivateeachsquadmemberstopushthemselvesfurther. “ItwasveryexhaustingandalotharderthanIwasex-pecting,” said Construction Mechanic 1st Class (SCW) James Gongas,thesquadleaderof2ndplatoon,2ndsquadinAlfaCompany.“Mysquaddidawesome,theyallsteppeduptothechallengeandtheydidagreatjob.I’mproudofallofthem.” AlfaCompanycamefromthirdplaceafterdayoneofthe two day final competition to out gain Charlie Co by only 4minutestobecomethewinneroftheoverallcompetitionthis year. Commander Scot Sanders, the Commanding Officer ofNMCB5stated,“Fivecompanywinnerscameouthereandreallyputtheirheartsontheline.”Hecontinued,“They[showed]tremendouseffort.IsawalotofheartanddedicationoutthereandI’mveryimpressed.Theteamwork,dedication,leadership, and amazing will to succeed that I witnessed was inspirational. From the training staff planning, organizing, andexecutingtheevents,tothecrewssettingupthecook-out,takingphotosandvideo,andprovidingsafetyoversight,andultimatelytothecompetingsquads,thiseventwasanincred-iblesuccess.” CMDCM(SCW) Del Terrell summed up the competi-tion,stating“WewanttoactuallybuildsmallunitleadersinFIVE and give them an opportunity to grow and shine; that’s beenthesecrettoourphenomenalsuccessthelastfewyears.Our First Class Petty Officers-Squad Leaders are the best in theNCF.Mostfolkstalkaboutsmallunitleadershipeveryday,butfewcommandsactuallyliveitandbreatheit.” ThisgoestoshowthatwhenSeabeesandSailorsofdifferentratesworktogetherasateam,anythingispossible.Whenitcomestoteamwork,unityofeffort,andsharingacommongoal,twoplustwocanequalFIVE!

Equipment Opera-tor 3rd Class Dallas Miller, a Headquar-ters Company Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, traverses on a rope during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Compe-tition on March 25, 2011 at Port Huen-eme, Calif.


Air Detachment Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 low crawl during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Competition on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif.

Headquarters Company

For HQ, the month of March was definitely one of the busiest months since returning from deployment in November.HQisworkinghardprovidingsupportforadvancementexams,supersquad,andgearinguptowardFTX in April. In preparation for Super Squad 2011, NMCB 5 Administrative Office drafted Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) certificates and got medals ready for presentation. DuringtheSuperSquadcompetition,admindepartmentshowedsupportandencouragementthroughouttheevent. YN1 Nevens cheered on her fellow Seabees and served food at the First Class Association barbeque. Upon completion,YN3LongandYNSNPollemaaidedtheCO,XO,andCMDCMintheawardsceremonyfortheSuperSquadwinners.CongratulationsAlfaCompany! Inadditiontodemonstratingbattalionspirit,theHQcompanyisworkingdiligentlytocompletealltasksthataredueinAprilpriortoNMCB5leavingforamonthlongFieldTrainingExercise.PS1CaballeroandPS2Boloshavebeenworkingoneverymember’spagetwoandemergencydataattentivelyfortheentirecommand.E5peri-odic evals along with transfer and separation evaluations are looked over by YN2 Smith and YN3 Kivett to ensure thatallofthedatesarecorrect.TheEAshopconsolidatedconsumablesrequiredfortheFTXandpreparedprojectbindersforDetswhileCM3Stevens,HQadjutant,preparedthemusterreport,killdata,andotheressentialreportsforaccountabilityduringFTX.Lastbutnotleast,RPSNBlairhasbeenbusygettingthealtarreadyforCatholicmassduringFTXfor300pluspersonnel.ThechapelwillholdfourservicesonWednesdaysandSundaysthrough-outFTX. MeticulousgearinspectionsheldbythecompanyhaveassuredthateveryoneisreadytoloadupandmountoutforFTX!ForthosewithouttheirSCWpin,FTXwillbeanexcellentopportunitytolearnhowcertainfunc-tionswork. OORAH!Wearereadyfor2011FieldTrainingExercise!“CANDO!”

Headquarters Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 pose for a photo before the start of the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Competition on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif.

HQ Pride, AC Inside!By YNSN(SCW) Joseph Pollema

NMCB 5 I The Professionals 11 NMCB 5 I The Professionals 12

Bravo Company

Bravo Company Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 practice Super Squad Training in Port Hueneme, Calif. March 14, 2011.

“The Difficult We Do at Once, The Impossible We Do Together”

By UTCA Kristina Costabile BravoCompanyhastrulybeenimmersedinthe“CanDo”spiritthispastmonth.WithFTXrearingitshead,preparednessateverylevelisparamount.Throughthe use of Unit Driven Training and Team Building exer-cisesonadailybasis,individualsinBravoCompanyhavecome to the realization that working as a cohesive unit isnecessarytosucceed.WiththeSuperSquadevolutionnearingitsculmination,membersofBravoparticipatedinthepenultimateteambuildingexercise. On March 14, the squads of first and second platoon completedaseven-stationobstaclecourse.Thescheduleofeventsincludedeverythingfromanammocanrelaytoa MTVR tire flip across the football field. Thephysicallytaxingactivitieswere“nosweat”forthehighlymotivatedSeabeesofBravoCompany.Theyworkedseamlesslyasteamstoensurethattheirindividualsquads came out on top. One specific event that really testedthetheoryofteamworkwasthelogcarry. Inthisroundofactivity,teamswereaskedtoacarrylog downfield, stop in between to perform thirty squad sit-ups, and then proceed back downfield with the same log. Asmembersofthesquadbecamefatigued,theirverbalencouragementtowardoneanothergaveeachperson the motivation to finish strongly as one. The implementation and repetition of UDT gives the troops the confidence to complete upcoming FTX tasks effortlessly. AnotherintegralpieceofBravoCompanyisCSE,anentitythathashadeventfulmonthaswell. Combatready,readytoroll...outonamissionthatis.TheConvoySecurityElementrecentlycompletedtheirFieldTrainingExerciseatthebeginningofthemonth.TheCSEunithasbeentirelesslytrainingduringthishomeport

toensuretheircombatreadinessfortheupcomingdeployment. PriortotheirFTX,CSEspentnumerousweeksimprovingtheirmarksmanship,aswellaspartakinginvariousstagedscenariosthattheymayencounterinthe field. During their FTX, the security element was splitintotwoseparateteamsandwastaskedtogooutontwoconvoysadayforthewholeweek. EachdayCSEwouldreceiveawarningorder,aheadsupforanupcomingmission.Followingthewarningorder,theteamsetouttostagethescenarioaspertheinstructor’sdirection.Whileundergoingin-dividualmissions,scenariosensued.Thesimulationsincludedthebreakingdownofvehicles,IEDstrikes,andenduringcasualties.Withtheirsharpenedcombatskillsintow,theCSEteampromptlyandcorrectlyrespondedtoeachscenario. TherealisticnatureofthesimulationsgavemembersoftheCSEteamaneye-openingviewofwhatanactualmissionwouldentail.AscurrentCSEmember,CECNHowingtonstated,“Talkingaboutgo-ingonconvoysisonething,buttoactuallyexperienceitisawholeotherbeast.NowthatIhavecompletedour FTX, I am more confident that we will succeed as resultofourextensivetraining.” AsNMCB5nearsFTX,andwithdeploymentnotfaroutofsight,Bravocontinuestostriveforexcellence.RelentlesstrainingandmoraleboostingexercisessolidifyBravoCompanyasacrucialassettothefuturesuccessofthecommand.


Builder Constructionman Andrew Tuggle, a Charlie Company Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construc-tion Battalion (NMCB) 5, conducts a low crawl through an obstacle during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Me-morial Super Squad Competition on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif.

Builder 1st Class (SCW/EXW) Kirk Johnson, a Charlie Com-pany Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battal-ion (NMCB) 5, crosses a rope obstacle with a sandbag during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Me-morial Super Squad Competi-tion on March 25, 2011 at Port Hueneme, Calif.


Charlie Company

Charlie Company Seabees attached to Na-val Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 wait before the start of a patrol during the 2nd Annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad Competition on March 24, 2011 at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.

Charlie Company Super Squad Finishes Second in Battalion Events

By BU2(SCW) Sarah J Hedge

OnMarch24thand25th,theCompanylevelSuperSquadscompetedforthecovetedtitleofNMCBFive’sBat-talionSuperSquad. OnThursdaythe24th,theSquadsperformedtheirwellpreparedpatrolbriefsandexecutedtheirmissions.Theirperformancesweregradedbyseveralcriteriaincludingtac-tics, briefing, and planning abilities. The first squad to patrol was Charlie Company, 2Nd Platoon, 4th Squad, with BU1 Johnson as the squad leader. The squad delivered an excellent briefing and continued to carry out an outstanding patrol. With BUCN Rollins as the pointman,thesquadhadexcellentcommunicationthroughhandsignalstowarnofdangercrossingsorenemyactivity.Johnsonalsoledhistroopsthroughavillagewherethesquadacquiredahighvaluetargetwithoutincident.Thehighvaluetargetwasdeliveredtoanextractionsightandpickedupbyfriendlyforces. Theunitwasalsoconfrontedbyagroupofangryfarmerswithbarkingdogs,showingunyieldingmilitarybearingandselfcontrolthesquadpushedthroughthesce-nariowithoutharminganylocalsorputtingthemselvesinexcessivedanger. Sadly,afterbeingassaultedwhilepatrollingpastamosque, the team was hit with sniper fire and an IED, se-verelywoundingseveralmembersofthepatrol.Theremain-ing Seabees took out the snipers and performed first aid tech-niquescriticaltosavingthelivesoftheirwoundedbrethren.ThehurtSeabeeswerethentakentocasualtycollectionpointwherethesquadnotionallyrequestedandlandedMEDEVACforthefallenSeabees.

Theday’seventsputCharlieCo.’ssupersquadinsecondplacebyamerefourpoints.Sotherestoftheeveningthesquadpumpedthemselvesupwithchantsstatingthatfourpointsmeantnothing. OnFriday,theCompanysupersquads,aswellas their cheering companies, met at Dozer field for this homeport’s final Super Squad event. The field was builtintoanintenseobstaclecourse.Thecoursewasdesignedtotesttheknowledgeandphysicalandmentalcapabilitiesofeverypersoninthesquad.Throughoutthestationsthesquadswereaskedaseriesofquestionsinvolvingchainofcommandandmilitaryknowledge. WhenitcametimeforCharlie’sSuperSquadtostepuptotheplate,theyrantothecourseyellingtopumpthemselvesupfortheevent.Thisiswhattheyhadbeentrainingforthroughoutthehomeport.Theytorethroughtheobstacles,soakingwetfromthewaterpitsandmudcrawling,physicallyfatiguedandpushingevery fiber of their being to finish, and finish well. The final task was to cross a rope pulled tight over a large pit filled with almost four feet of cold water. It wasthemostchallengingtasksofar,yetthememberspushed through and finished, cold and wet, embracing eachotherforahugeaccomplishment. CharlieCompanycameinsecondforBattal-ionSuperSquad,reachingahighclassofadmirationthroughoutthebattalion.CharlieCompanysucceededinbuildingthemselvesupthroughteamworkanddedica-tion,showingheartand,mostofall,strengthandhonor.


Whenshe’snotdeployedandbackonbaseduringthehomeportmonths,RenfroehitstheOxnardPoliceActivitiesLeaguegym4-5daysaweekforaboutanhourortwotwiceaday!ConstructionmanRen-froe definitely trains like she fights. She also likes to hit the gym before a tournament or fight, keeping the adrenaline rush flowing and fist pumping is vital. Althoughtryingtobalanceherlifebetweenworkandboxing,Renfroestillovercomesherhighestexpectationsespeciallyduringdeployments.Shestaysconditionedbyjumproping,running,andhittingthebag.Ifthegymhasaspeedbag,she’sonit!Notbeingabletoreceivetheone-on-oneorringexperienceduringdeploymentslimitshertrainingbutthatdoesnoteverbringherstrengthandmotivationdown.Hermaingoalisstayingfocused,determinedandalwaysbelievinginherself.Attheendoftheday,it’sim-portant for her to look back on what she has accomplished and to know that win or lose; she is becoming a better fighter every day. LadiesandGentlemen,this“cando”spiritofagalisnotonlyapatrioticSeabeebutanaspiringboxerrepresenting the United States. Her love for boxing is just as big as her devotion as a Builder. Let’s all con-gratulate BUCN Renfroe on a job well done for always keeping her head down in the ring yet her head and prideupoutsidethering.

CONSTRUCTING THE FRONT OFFICE PROJECT WITH A CAN DO ATTITUDE!

By BU3 Linda Meale

AfterfourmonthsofreturningfromAfghanistan,NMCBFivehasalreadystartedonafewhomeportprojects.Oneoftheconstructionprojectsthatwehavehadtheprivi-lege to take ownership of is the office located in the Navy GatewayInnlocatedjustoutsideoftheBardgate,onNBVCPortHueneme. Currently under construction, project supervisor, BU1 (SCW/EXW) Johnson is determined that his crew will go aboveandbeyondincompletingtheprojectontimeandtopquality construction. For BU1, it’s not a surprise to see how muchhasbeencompletedafterstartingtheprojectinearlyFebruary,“Giventherigoroustimelinetoplanandexecutetheproject,thecrewhasbeenabletoovercomematerialdelaysandmanningissuesandperformatatopnotchlevel.”Petty officer Johnson has been guiding his crew to the best of hisleadershipabilitytoworkhardyethavefunatthesametime. Best of the best, crew leaders BU2 (SCW) Luna and BU2 (SCW) Clark makes sure materials are on site, project information is updated and reflected upon completion of an activity,andensurethecrewisproperlytrainedandwell-maintained. BU2 Luna is in the process of transferring out of the command, so he has delegated his duties to BU2 Clark and BU3 Devincentis. They have done a tremendous job in training personnel and briefing crewmembers on what activi-tiesneedtobecompleted. As a crewmember on the front office project, I have hadtheopportunitytoworkwithinmyrateasaBuilder.Fromworkingwithsteelstuds,installinginsulationandput-tingupdrywall,myhands-onexperiencehasprovidedmetheabilitytolearndifferenttechniques.PersonallyI’mnotthat efficient on mudding a wall, however, BU2 Clark helped metoimprovemyskills.

InadditiontopersonnelfromCharlieCompany,a few Bravo types such as the CE’s and UT’s, are also apartofthisproject.Recently,theyhavestartedonaroughelectricalactivitywhichincludesinstallingcon-duitandpanelboxes.Theyalsohadanopportunitytowork within the builder rate, (the best rate there is and the backbone of the Seabees, of course). As the project Safety Supervisor, BU3 (SCW) Davisensuresthatcrewmembersareincompliancewithsafetyrulesandregulations.Safetyisparamountinallaspectssosheisalwaysontopofhergametoensurecrewmembershaveontheirhardhat,safetyglasses,andamotivated“CANDO!”attitudetoaccomplishtheirdailytasksinaSAFEmanner. Construction of the front office is expected to last untilJuly2011.Duetothebusynatureofhomeport,i.e,classes, UDT, and Super Squad training, the project crew oftenrotatespersonnelinordertostayupwithcurrentprogressgoals.Thisrotationcycleallowsdifferentpersonneltotakepartoftheprojectandgetanactual“hands-on”experienceinsteadoftheusualhomeporttrainingandclasses. Participatinginahomeportprojectprovidescrew-memberswithachancetoexperienceonthejobtraining.Thiskindoftrainingenhancestheirratingskillsaswellastheopportunitytoworkalongsideothersandlearnsomethingnew.A“CANDO!”spiritiswellenabledthroughoutourdailytaskingandwithinourselves.

BUCN Crystal Renfroe of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 is declared the winner over MASN Rhon-da McGee during the only women’s boxing event of the evening. NMCB 5 came out en masse to support their fellow Seabee, and Renfroe credited that hometown advantage with helping her win the match.

LET’S GET READY TO RUUMMBBLLEE!!!!By BU3 Linda Meale

This is what BUCN (SCW) Renfroe of NMCB Five’s Charlie Companyhastooffer!Somuchrumblin’,shekeepsheropponentstumblin’!ConstructionmanRenfroeisanastonishingandremarkableboxer as well as a motivated- high flying Seabee. She has been box-ingforovertwoyearsandhaswonnumerous“blood,sweat,andtears”kind of fights. Determined.Focused.Motivated.ThesearesomequalitiesthatdriveRenfroe.OnedayshedreamstobetheSouthernCaliforniaDistrictchampion,tobeaGoldenGloveschampion,andtocompeteinthe Nationals and conquer the National Championship title. Ultimately, herbiggestambitionistobeaffordedtheopportunitytocompeteinthe2016WorldOlympics! Besidesthesefuturewinningendeavors,ConstructionmanRen-froe would also like to be a positive role model for other female fight-ers. The word needs to get out that for the first time in the history of theOlympicGames,womenareallowedtocompete!!!Herpositiveoutlook on boxing enables female fighters to get out there, challenge themselves and make things happen! This fighter’s role model is Lucia Rijker,akaBillieBlueJeanfromthe2004movie,MillionDollarBabyplayedbyactressHilarySwank.Rijkerholdsmanytitlesandisknownfor winning by KO’S in most of her boxing matches. She was also the first female boxer inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. Renfroe’s desire to achieve these goals, like her role model is definitely on course!


Charlie Company

An exhausted BUCN Crystal Renfroe celebrates with her trophy after defeating MASN Rhonda McGee during the sev-enth bout of the All-Navy Box-Off on Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Warfield Gym.

Blue Jacket of the Quarter (BJOQ)EACN(SCW) Ashley Cox

Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ)CM2(SCW/AW) Carl Gayton

Senior Sailor of the Quarter (SSOQ)EO1(SCW) Mario Perez

Alfa Company

Alfa CompanyBy EO3 Lacey Nelson

It’snothardtoseewhetherornotALFACompanyissteppinguptotheplatethishomeport.Ourleadershipismakingsurethatwearestay-ingontrack,stayingfocused,andkeepingopenlinesofcommunication.NotonepersoninALFAis willing to let the other fail; teamwork is the foundationthatwearebuilton.OneTeam...OneFight...OneFamily.Therehasbeen,andlikelyal-wayswillbe,somegood-naturedribbingbetweentheEOsandCMs.ButletsomeonefromoutsidetheyardmesswithanyoneoftheALFADogsinsidetheyard,andseewhathappens!StayingmotivatedandteachingourtroopstheimportanceofALFACompanytothebattalion’smissionissomethingthatweprideourselveson. Currently,theEOsaregettingreadytoconducttheB.E.E.PandturnovertheCESEtoNMCB-23.TheconclusionoftheB.E.E.PwillbecarriedoutduringFTX2011.TheEOshavebeenconductingnon-stoplinehaulstoFortHunterLiggett in support of our CSE FTX, organizing the pickingupofNMCB-40’sAirDetandAdvancedPartyatPointMugu,trainingnewtroopsonequip-ment to be ready for the field exercise, pressing forwardonthetwoprojectsatPointMugu.Fur-thermore,theyhavebeenhelpingoutSupply,Medical,andtheS6shopinthepreparation,load-ing,andtransportationoftheirconnexboxesfortheFTXevolution. OntheshopsideoftheALFAhousetheCMsareworkinghardincompletingallthePMScheckson40piecesofCESEtoensureitisoperatingatmaximumcapabilitybeforeitisturnedovertoNMCB-23.CESEavailabilityisimprovingeveryday.ThatmeansthattheBattalion’smissionreadi-nessandabilitytomoveourSeabeeswheretheyneedtobeisimprovingeveryday.ALFAPRIDE!ROLLON!


Quarterly Recognitions

Quarterly Recognitions

A Scraper is loaded on the back of a globe trailer at Naval Air Station (NAS) Point Mugu Air Field February 2, 2011 during ETX.


Whenaskedaboutthelessonslearnedfromtheexercise,CMCNMeyerstated,“Youhavetodothejob 100% right the first time to eliminate re-work.” Duringtheexercisetheweatherplayedamajorfactor.TheSeabeesfromNMCBFive’sAir-Detexperiencedworkinginthecoldweatheraswellasintherain.CMCNGuerrerosaid,“Thiswasthebestwaytotrainfortheworstcasescenario.”Theexercisewasasuc-cessandNMCB-FiveAir-Detis“trainedtogo”andfully ready to deploy within 48 hrs.

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class (SCW) Matthew Stell and Equip-ment Operator 3rd Class Joseph Flint measure the distance from

the front of the Medium Tacti-cal Vehicle Replacement (MTVR)

Cargo truck to teh rear axle for weight and balancing purposes.

Steelworker 2nd Class (SCW) Andrew Buchholtz and Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) David Yost secure the cargo straps of a load sitting on a 463-L pallet.

Air Detachment

NMCB-FIVE AIR-DET

By CM2(SCW/AW) Carl Gayton

OnWednesday,Feb2ndand3rd,NavalMobileConstructionBattalionFivewasengagedin a 32 hour Embark training exercise (ETX). The exercise consisted of preparing 28 pieces of gear to deploy within 48 hours from receiving the frag order. Atotalof125personnelwereinvolvedintheexercisewith69membersinAir-Det.thatwerespecifically assigned to weigh, balance, mark and securethegearandCivilEngineeringSupportEquipment (CESE). The exercise started at N.A.S. Point Magu flight line, where the vehicles and gear were inspected for Hazmat leaks and levels. Any


discrepancies found were verified and corrected onthespotbytheConstructionMechanicsandtheEquipmentOperators. Theequipmentwasthenweighed,balancedand marked. The (CESE) and the gear that was not mobilewasloadedup,securedandtransportedtoC.B.C.BasePortHuenemewhereitwascleaned,re-inspected,andstagedfora“notional”loadontoaC-130.Themembersofthe31stSRGevaluationteaminspectedtheloadsandmarkings,ensuringthateverythingwascompliantwiththestringentregulations enforced by the U.S. Air Force prior to loadingthemontoanaircraft.

48 Hours or less...

Education

March 2011 Buzzword