Survey Crew Training

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Survey Crew Training

The techniques of the actual operation of surveying instruments are, for the most part, fairly easy to learn; and a crew member learns these quickly in the field. These techniques, however, are a small part of the knowledge involved in the art and/or science of surveying. If a field crew member is shown only how to set up and level an instrument, how to hold a rod, and the like, he is receiving only a minimal amount of training.

The best way to train crew members, in the other things they need to know, is to keep them constantly informed of the overall purpose of the job. Suppose, for example, that the crew is setting offset grade hubs for a highway. Tell them, as you go along, how these hubs will be used as guides for bringing the subgrade to the desired elevation and for placing the highway surface to the prescribed finished grade. Besides training the crew, you will be making fieldwork much more interesting for everybody-including yourself. Furthermore, a field crew will do a better job when they know the purpose of what they are doing.

Another incentive in producing highly motivated field crews is competition. Lets say you have a level circuit to accomplish. If time permits and if you are not far behind in your workload organize two or more level parties to run the same circuit. Then you can determine how proficient the crews are by seeing how closely each crew comes to the correct closing benchmark elevation and the time it takes each crew to run the circuit. You also can use this method in transit work for things like timing the setup of the instrument, measuring horizontal and vertical angles, and measuring distances by stadia. Always find time for training. Perhaps, when waiting for transportation to and from work you can start an open discussion of various solutions to an actual or hypothetical survey problem.

When you are training surveyors, do not forget that the EAs assigned to the drafting room or soils laboratory are also responsible for knowing the techniques of surveying. Whenever the work load permits, the engineering chief should rotate a few personnel for short, on-the-job training periods. This creates interest and helps your personnel to prepare for advancement.

Combat Intelligence Engineering Data

The collecting, analyzing, and reporting of engineering data for combat intelligence is the responsibility of the engineering division of an NMCB deployed to a combat area. Normally the collecting of such data is the job of the field survey crews or an EA assigned to a reconnaissance patrol.

"Combat intelligent" is defined as that knowledge of the enemy, weather, and geographical features (terrain) required by a commander in planning and conducting tactical operations. The objective of combat intelligence is to minimize the uncertainties of the effects that the enemy, weather, and terrain may have on the accomplishment of the mission.

Of primary interest to the EA is the collection of terrain data. Terrain information includes stream data (widths, depths, condition of banks, and rates of flow); bridge data (types, widths, lengths, conditions, and load limits); existing roads (types, widths, and conditions); and topographic mapping, including all pertinent natural and man-made features. In general, a rough reconnaissance survey is performed.

Methods for collecting engineering data will depend on the situation. You maybe given a military map and told to take a reconnaissance patrol out to check the accuracy of the map. Or, you maybe tasked with obtaining data for establishing a suitable construction site for an entire advanced base that might require the efforts of several crews. Your experience as a surveyor will enable you to collect data and report your findings to the engineering officer who, with your assistance, can analyze the data and make recommendations to the battalion planning team.

Information pertinent to organization and deployment of a reconnaissance patrol is found in the Seabee Combat Handbook NAVEDTRA 12003. The battalion operation order will specify combat intelligence procedures.