Is it difficult to become a Seabee in the Navy Reserve?

SPC Leif Powell — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 20:06:13 -0400

My research indicates that the Navy Reserve was aiming to consolidate/reduce its Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB) a few years back, but I am unable to locate any updated information for 2017. Would it be possible to enlist in the Navy Reserve in one of the Seabee rates in 2017? Would promotions be near impossible due to the limited number of positions?

Any updated information would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 28 at 2017 8:10 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 20:10:58 -0400

Check out a Navel Recruiter

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 28 at 2017 11:51 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 23:51:09 -0400

Go to Port Hueneme Sea Bee base, drop in at the John Wayne Club, buy a beer, talk a bit and listen!

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Aug 30 at 2017 6:48 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 18:48:14 -0400

during my last 5 yrs in the Bees, it was hard to make Chief Petty Officer E7. In my rating they only made between 6 or less each year. The advancement exam is only given once a year in January and the advancement board would meet in June and the results would then come out in late July. And when I retired in 97 there where about 9,000 on active duty with 8 battalions. Now I've read that there is about 6,000 on active duty with only 6 battalions. Don't know what the reserves are doing. Good luck

Response by CPO Clayton Graham made Sep 1 at 2017 12:24 PM

CPO Clayton Graham — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 12:24:12 -0400

I have been retired since 2013, but from my friends who are still in the Seabee's they are telling me that the rates have opened up and they are bringing more people into the Seabee's
.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 10:07 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 22:07:17 -0400

SPC Powell - I have been a Seabee in the Reserves for over 28 years. I am also a Recruiter in the Navy. You could stop by or call the nearest Navy Operational Support Center and ask if they have a prior service Recruiter at the station. You can also call a Navy Recruiting Office to find your nearest reserve enlisted Recruiter. Depending on where you are on your Army contract, they could help you come into the Navy Reserves; possibly as a Construction Mechanic likely with a local Seabee Detachment from a Battalion near you. Best of luck!
LT Manhart

Response by PO2 Sean Duvall made Sep 7 at 2017 2:35 AM

PO2 Sean Duvall — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 02:35:43 -0400

Yes you can enlist as a seabee in the navy reserve,and no it wouldn't be impossible its just like the active duty navy for advancement

Response by PO1 Mark Mayfield made Sep 15 at 2017 6:00 PM

PO1 Mark Mayfield — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 18:00:21 -0400

Retired EO1, NMCB-22 Det 0522. We are always in need of good SWs, BUs and EOs. Promotions are good for all rates except of EAs, it is difficult to make rate as an EA.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2017 5:15 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 17:15:38 -0400

As far as ease it's a lot easier if you're geographically near one of the 50 Dets. Other than that you're cross assigned, which makes it harder to make Chief. Currently there are 5 battalions, 2 CBMU's, and 2 Amphibs. There are other billets but those are the main ones. There about 5000 reserve Bees left, a fairly small community with lots of pride. Advancement has improved after the drawdown but it's still not wide open. There are 7 Bee rates and traditionally the largest rates have the best advancement opportunities. BU and EO, followed by CM, UT, CE, and then SW, and EA. The numbers vary by cycle but that's a general idea and my thoughts on it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2017 6:47 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 18:47:10 -0400

Nothing's difficult in the reserves.

Yours truly, a somewhat biased full-timer.

Response by PO2 Dave Johnson made Sep 27 at 2017 6:16 AM

PO2 Dave Johnson — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 06:16:15 -0400

The a school I went to back in 1987 was almost a year long and I had to add a one year extension to my enlistment to go into the sea bees we did have some 3 by 5 but I don't ever recall having straight resverist we were often augmented by reserve battalions while deployed

Response by CN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 12:21 AM

CN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:21:58 -0400

You should talk to a recruiter
They open a bit I think to Seabees
Try it

Response by PO2 Rick Stitt made Nov 13 at 2017 4:16 PM

PO2 Rick Stitt — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 16:16:20 -0500

I’m sure it would be limited due to the fact Obama decommissioned my old unit as soon as we came state side. I was part ofNMCB 26

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 10:29 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 10:29:26 -0500

I am with NMCB 14 Detachment Memphis. And cross assigned to CRS-11 who I do all my stuff with but being with the Sea Bees is absolutely amazing

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 12:40 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 12:40:31 -0500

EA’s are getting promoted left and right the last 2 cycles, and all the rates have opened up.

Response by PO3 Greg Kaminski made Apr 17 at 2018 11:39 PM

PO3 Greg Kaminski — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 23:39:56 -0400

Was a bee for 6 years.
When I left, they were filled to the brim. Went 3 cycles of 0 advancement across the board back in 2011.

Response by PO2 Chris Mccarthy made Aug 3 at 2020 3:58 PM

PO2 Chris Mccarthy — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:58:59 -0400

Did you ever make it in as a Bee

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2021 8:19 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 20:19:17 -0400

Depends, not really, but only if they got billets