Normally, EAs reporting to a SEABEE unit for duty will be assigned to the operations department (S-3). The organization of a SEABEE operations departmentbe it in a staff, in a battalion, or in any detached unit is similar in basic composition, with minor variations to suit the type of unit, its mission, and the prevailing conditions. In support of the construction organization, the specific functions of the operations department include planning and estimating, engineering, monitoring/reporting, quality control, disaster preparedness, minicomputer operations, and resources control. Figure 16-1 shows a standard organizational chart of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion operations department. Using this chart as a guide, the operations officer may expand or modify the organization to suit the mission of the battalion and the availability of personnel to fill the billets.

In the following sections you will learn where you fit into the organization and how your duties and responsibilities relate to the functions of the operations department. The information is taken mainly from the Manual, observations currently prevailing in the NMCBs.

ENGINEERING DIVISION. Most EAs are assigned to the engineering division of the operations department. Therefore, it is important that you become familiar with the overall organization breakdown of the division and the duties and responsibilities of personnel within the division. As you study the following sections, try to visualize how your contributions to the division will assist in accomplishing the overall mission of the division and the mission of the operations department. In other words, see where you fit into the "big picture."

The engineering division is under the direction of the engineering officer (fig. 16-1), who is normally a Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officer. The engineering officer and his staff are

Figure 16-1.-Standard operations department organization.

responsible for providing all engineering services and design necessary for the successful conduct of the construction program. Their specific responsibilities are as follows:

1. Providing guidance and support to the company deployment planning team

2. Reviewing all plans for sound engineering practices and practicability of planning and construction

3. Resolving field problems relative to errors or revisions in design

4. Briefing company commanders on engineering aspects of new projects

5. Providing liaison with customers concerning engineering and design

6. Providing liaison with other divisions in the operations department in the interest of the successful conduct of the construction program

The engineering division is also responsible for, and renders technical support in, the following areas:

1. Providing technical engineering construction inspection by the engineering officer on behalf of the operations officer to ensure that projects are built according to the plans and specification and that quality workmanship prevails at all times

2. Providing survey services for the construction companies, as required

3. Providing up-to-date drawings and specifications for projects in progress

4. Providing soils and materials testing and evaluation services

5. Maintaining as-built drawings and providing copies, as appropriate, to customer commands