The company headquarters of a Seabee company consists of the company commander, an assistant company commander when assigned, the company chief, a company guidon, a company clerk a company messenger, and other administrative assistants as required. The company headquarters varies somewhat in each company, depending on its construction/combat missions. Figure 1-8 shows the organization of military support in the construction/rifle companies.

Rifle Company Commander

The rifle company commander is usually a lieutenant in the Civil Engineer Corps who is responsible for commanding his company by following the policies of the commanding officer.

Figure 1-8.-Organization of military support in the construction rifle companies.

Assistant Rifle Company Commander

The assistant rifle company commander, when assigned, may be a junior CEC officer or a senior enlisted man. He is normally placed in a position of line authority and responsibility between the company commander and the platoon commanders. As a personnel and material manager within the company, he concerns himself with executing and enforcing the policies of the company commander and the commanding officer. The assistant rifle company commander supervises the administration of the company; plans and gives technical support to the platoon commanders about their crew assignments, project planning and scheduling, safety, and training. He is armed with the service pistol.

Rifle Company Chief

The rifle company chief is the senior enlisted man assigned to the company, usually a senior chief petty officer (E-8) or a master chief petty officer (E-9). He is the primary administrative assistant and technical advisor to the company commander. The rifle company chief is directly responsible to the company commander for the administration and efficient operation of the company and for the discipline, training, and the performance of the men assigned to the company. He is armed with the service pistol.

Rifle Company Guidon

The rifle company guidon, generally a petty officer first class (E-6), acts as a construction expediter and supply coordinator for the company. During combat, he is stationed near the company commander and is responsible for the distribution of ammunition to the platoon guides. He coordinates the ammunition counts following combat to ensure appropriate redistribution. He is armed with the service pistol.

Rifle Company Clerk

The rifle company clerk is normally a constructionman (E-3) with clerical experience. His duties consist of preparing company memorandums, typing, filing, and many other administrative tasks. He is also the company mail orderly. During military operations, he becomes the company staff communicator and must be familiar with the operation and care of the company communications equipment. In addition, he is trained in proper procedures for transmitting reports and messages. The rifle company clerk also may serve as guidon (company banner) bearer during parade formation. He is armed with the M16 service rifle.

Rifle Company Messenger

Generally, a constructionman (E-3) is assigned to the company headquarters as a rifle company messenger. He primarily performs in this capacity only during military operations. For work purposes, he is assigned to a work crew/rifle fire team. Although he delivers most of his messages on foot, he is also trained in the operation of communications equipment so he can take over should the rifle company clerk become a casualty. When the company administrative tasks increase, as they do during home port training periods, the rifle company messenger may assist the rifle company clerk with his duties. He is armed with the service rifle.