The headquarters company of a Seabee battalion serves as the military and administrative organization for the personnel assigned to the executive and special staffs of an NMCB. Headquarters company has the capability of providing defense in a combat situation as a company unit and, in addition, acts as a reserve force for the battalion. The headquarters company's staff, when participating in a defensive situation, consists of the company commander, platoon commanders, a company chief petty officer, and other administrative assistants as required to organize it into two rifle platoons and one weapons (mortar) platoon, as shown in figure 1-7.

Headquarters Company Commander

Normally assigned to additional duty on the battalion staff, the headquarters company commander is responsible for the following:

1. Command of the company in all military formations and operations

2. Asignment of personnel on the watch, quarter, and station bill

3. Personnel muster

4. Supervision and coordination of military and leadership training

5. Administration and guidance in professional and technical training

6. Berthing, messing, mail distribution, and physical fitness

7. Division officer responsibilities, unless separate division officers are assigned

He is also responsible for the security and defense of the battalion's command post and acts as the reserve force commander for the battalion in the defense. He is armed with the .45-caliber pistol.

Platoon Commanders

All personnel assigned to the battalion's executive and special staffs are administratively assigned to headquarters company. Therefore, the headquarters platoon commanders are normally officers of the administration and personnel department, the operations department, and the supply and logistics department. However, most battalions generally use a chief petty officer (E-7) from each department to act in the capacity of platoon commander.

The platoon commander is responsible for training, discipline, control, and tactical deployment of his platoon. He carries out the orders of the company commander and controls his platoon through his squad leaders. In combat, the platoon commander positions himself where he can readily control his squad leaders. At the same time, he remains in contact with his company commander. He is generally linked with the company commander by radio and field telephone or both, and is armed with the service pistol.

Headquarters Company Chief Petty Officer

The headquarters company chief petty officer can be a chief petty officer (E-7) or a senior chief petty officer (E-8), and serves as an assistant to the headquarters company commander in a staff capacity. The headquarters company CPO is directly responsible to the company commander for the administration and efficient operation of the company. He is also responsible for the discipline, training, and performance of the men assigned to the company and is armed with the service pistol.