CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS OFFICER (5100)

OVERVIEW

The 5100 Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) designator identifies Staff Corps officers in the U.S. Navy who serve as professional engineers — designing, building, maintaining, and managing Navy shore facilities, public works, environmental programs, and contingency engineering. CEC officers also command and lead the Naval Construction Force — the famous "Seabees" — providing combat construction, expeditionary engineering, and disaster-response capability worldwide.

CEC officers commission directly into the 5100 community via USNA, NROTC, OCS, or as direct accessions, all of whom must hold an ABET-accredited engineering or architecture degree. Most pursue Professional Engineer (PE) licensure during their career. CEC officers serve at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), at every Navy installation worldwide, and at the eight Naval Construction Battalions (NMCBs) that comprise the Naval Construction Force.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, build, and maintain Navy shore facilities and public works
• Command and lead Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs) — the Seabees
• Manage Navy environmental, real-estate, and energy programs at NAVFAC
• Lead expeditionary construction and contingency engineering for the joint force

HISTORY

The Civil Engineer Corps was established by Congress on March 2, 1867, recognizing the need for permanent professional-engineer expertise to manage the Navy's rapidly-expanding shore establishment in the post-Civil War era. The Naval Construction Battalions — the Seabees — were established in 1942 in response to the unique construction demands of WWII Pacific island warfare, and CEC officers have led the Seabees ever since.

The Seabee motto "Construimus, Batuimus" — "We Build, We Fight" — captures the dual nature of the CEC officer's mission: highly technical engineering combined with expeditionary, often-combat construction operations.

COMMISSIONING SOURCES

• USNA
• NROTC
• OCS
• Civil Engineer Corps Collegiate Program (CECCP)
• Direct Accession

TRAINING PIPELINE

1. 1. CECOS Basic Qualification Course~12 weeks
   Port Hueneme, CA
   Navy facilities engineering, contingency construction, contracting, and Seabee operations.
2. 2. Naval Postgraduate School (optional)~24 months
   Monterey, CA
   Master's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or construction management.
3. 3. CECOS Advanced CoursesVarious
   Port Hueneme, CA
   Mid-grade and senior courses in contingency engineering, environmental management, and major-program oversight.

TYPICAL CAREER PATH

1. O-1
   CECOS Basic Qualification Course
   Twelve-week CECOS course in Port Hueneme, CA covering Navy facilities engineering and Seabee operations.
2. O-1/O-2
   First Tour
   Public Works Officer, NMCB Company Commander, or NAVFAC Project Manager.
3. O-3
   Department Head
   Department head at a Navy installation, NAVFAC office, or NMCB.
4. O-4
   Operations Officer / XO of an NMCB
   Senior operations role at a Seabee battalion or NAVFAC.
5. O-5
   Battalion Commanding Officer
   Command of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (Seabees).
6. O-6
   Major Command
   Command of a NAVFAC region, Public Works Center, or Seabee Regiment.

RELATED DESIGNATORS

• 1440 · Restricted Line
  Engineering Duty Officer
• 3100 · Staff Corps
  Supply Corps Officer
• 1110 · Unrestricted Line
  Surface Warfare Officer

RELATED BASES

• Navy Base · CA
  Naval Base Ventura County
• Navy Base · MS
  Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOURCES

• Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)
• My Navy HR — Civil Engineer Corps
• Civil Engineer Corps Officers School (CECOS)