Photo By Daniel Davenport | Center for Seabees Facilities and Engineering Executive Officer, Commander Amy Honek,...... read more read more
Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme –– To commemorate the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School’s (CECOS) 80 year anniversary, a World War II era Fighting Seabee from the South Pacific was restored and placed prominently in front of Moreell Hall on cue for the Basic Class 278 Graduation Ceremony Friday, May 9.
Honoring the Seabees’ “Can Do” spirit and their prestigious 83-year heritage, 59 Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) junior officers were the inaugural class to walk proudly along side the authentically inspiring, handcrafted statue on their journey from Moreell Hall to the fleet.
The reconditioned Seabee added to the pomp and circumstance of the milestone, creating a colorful buzz of excitement with everyone in attendance and watching the CEC live stream event over the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) network.
The anniversary celebration featured several former CECOS Commanding Officers and the family of Eileen Hunt. Known as the Commodore, Hunt was officially made an Honorary Seabee as she faithfully stood the watch for 45 years as the Director of Student Services at CECOS, and watched every currently serving CEC admiral pass through as a basic student.
Captain Jeffrey C. Deviney, CEC, Commander, Center for Seabees Facilities and Engineering (CSFE) looked back on the early beginnings of CECOS. He cited how WWII expanded the ambitious roles of CEC officers and their leadership reverence in leading hundreds of Seabee units throughout the South Pacific, and across the globe during the deadliest conflict in human history.
To consolidate CEC training under one institution, CECOS was officially established on May 1, 1945 in Davisville, Rhode Island, four months before the end of WWII.
The school’s storied past, dates back to 1942 when the Navy created an officer indoctrination program at Camp Allen, Virginia, to meet the demands of WWII. As the war intensified, training moved to Camp Peary, Virginia in 1943 and later to Camp Endicott, Rhode Island in 1944.
The redefined roles and new mission operations objectives, which CEC officers and Seabees constructively carried out under extreme battle tested conditions, would become a critical part of the curriculum and fortify the CEC’s evolving groundwork to the Navy and Marine Corps.
By mid-1945, CECOS had 105 officers and 207 enlisted personnel providing instruction in public works, construction battalions, midshipmen training and officer indoctrination. At its peak, the CEC grew from 159 officers in 1941 to over 10,000 by the war’s end, with an estimated 85 percent attending CECOS courses, according to the Navy Seabee Foundation’s Bee News story, Spring 2025 edition.
The school relocated to the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, California, almost one year after Japan announced its unconditional surrender in the Pacific theatre on September 1, 1946. The initial Port Hueneme Basic Class graduated 15 CEC officers on June 2, 1947.
The Basic CEC Officers Qualification course covered three main sections at the time. Indoctrination, Public Works and Construction Battalion Training were the core components of training over the 10 1/2 weeks, and CECOS would continue to operate out of a World War II barracks for 44 years.
In 1991, CECOS moved into Moreell Hall, a 68,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility, adjacent to the WWII dormitory at the east end of the student parking lot. Basic Class 194 was the building’s first group of 48 graduates.
Today’s curriculum has steadily advanced and after 80 years of successful operation and thousands of students later, CECOS continues to raise the bar as CEC officers take their rightful place in the fleet and in the world’s finest Navy.
Courses include; Basic CEC Officers Qualification; Energy Management; Environmental Compliance, Conservation, Management, Pollution Prevention, and Restoration; Facilities Acquisition, Management and Planning; Financial Management; Seabee Contingency Engineering, Naval Construction Force and Naval Construction Force Leadership.
Watching over the ceremony and all future CECOS students, the restored Fighting Seabee statue – an unwavering symbol of pride and commitment, forged by Seabee resourcefulness, has landed home to Moreell Hall.
CAPT Deviney reflected on the Fighting Seabee’s former guardian and industrious work ethic, brought to life by Construction Battalion master craftsmen from the Second World War.
“The bee has a determined look on its face to demonstrate the Seabee motto, ‘the difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a bit longer,” CAPT Deviney said.
He described how the WWII design originated. The discussion began with a beaver due to it’s building prowess, but because beavers would run away when confronted, the bee was chosen as it was determined to defend its property when opposed by an enemy.
In addition to the wide spectrum of technical training achieved at CECOS, the prestigious history of the Seabees and CEC is utilized as key tool of instruction for junior officers to learn about the present while providing a purposeful level of understanding to solving current and future problems.
“I think that’s incredibly important to what they’re doing and to understanding the expectations of what we’ve done in the past and the high standards that need to live up to in the future,” CAPT Deviney explained.
It will soon be time for the 59 graduates to step up and be the Civil Engineer Corps Officers the Navy needs them to be, empowering the fleet to be ready for the high end fight. “Good luck to all of you and Godspeed,” CAPT Deviney said.
Rear Admiral Jeffrey J. Kilian, CEC, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Civil Engineer and Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Pacific delivered the principal address to Basic Class 278.
He began his presentation by welcoming the spouses, family and friends of the class and emphasized how family plays a critical role in all aspects of the military and specifically, their support to the graduating officers.
As a former CECOS graduate of class 204, RADM Kilian fondly recalled living in the immediate neighborhood twice with his family, realizing how special those scrapbook moments were. He thanked them for volunteering to serve their country and recognized that it’s not an easy choice to make because it requires sacrifice.
“This is our thing, the Civil Engineer Corps, the community, all of it. It’s our thing, and I welcome all of you to our thing,” RADM Kilian conveyed.
With 31 years of distinguished service from around the globe, the flag officer informed BC 278 that their mission as CEC Officers was to ultimately safeguard freedom, not just to serve. He also made it clear they did not sign up for a desk job.
“We are the experts responsible for planning, building and maintaining facilities, utilities and other base services to enable both the fleet and Marine Corps,” RADM Kilian stated. “We are responsible for keeping the lights on and the water running.”
Prior to joining the Navy, the Spokane, WA native served four years as a Marine assigned to 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force. RADM Kilian proceeded to passionately share the scope of innovative plans and designs for new missions with the class. Repairs and upgrades to dry docks in the support of modern classes of ships and submarines were on the forefront of CEC projects he touched upon.
Throughout the world’s most challenging environments, from providing humanitarian aid after a natural disaster, to establishing expeditionary bases in areas of conflict or improving infrastructure for the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) or Indo-Pacific Posture Initiative, all of it is in the name of deterrence, according to RADM Kilian.
“The Navy is counting on Civil Engineer Corps officers to deliver no matter the mission,” he firmly communicated.
When it comes to leading Seabees in the Naval Construction Force (NCF), RADM Kilian confidently pointed out – all junior CEC officers bring incredible value to the Seabee mission. CEC officers at some point early on in the career will be assigned to a Construction Battalion (CB).
…“They are looking to you for leadership and they are looking for you to bring a different way of thinking and analyzing problems. That is the value you bring,” RADM Kilian expressed.
Whether it’s in the NCF or NAVFAC, he instructed them to dive into their first duty assignment with confidence, trust their instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, continue to ask questions until satisfied. “Be clear when providing you’re intent. Ask those who look to your leadership if they have questions or anything that you’ve said is unclear. Avoid platitudes and polemics. Strive for profundity in all matters, all the time,” RADM Kilian directed.
Professional learning and development for CEC officers does not stop once they have graduated from CECOS. RADM Kilian advised the class to obtain their professional Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate. It’s a requirement for CEC officers moving forward in their career as an engineer or architect. Registration allows CEC officers to comprehensively interact in the community with credibility, he noted.
RADM Kilian concluded his morning presentation and asked Basic Class 278 to remember the three Ps, which consisted of preparation, presence and passion to guide them on their next assignment.
According to RADM Kilian, preparation is the first step to building trust, do research, talk to others and ask questions. Eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand – be present wherever that may be, whoever you’re with and whatever you’re doing. Be passionate and do your best, give 100 percent.
He called upon them to be passionate – passionate about their profession and the very special community they are a part of. “I want you to take pride in being a Civil Engineer Corps officer,” RADM Kilian said.
The Navy takes great pride in recognizing the outstanding performance of its personnel. In keeping with tradition, students who displayed exceptional character and competence by their academic performance, leadership, physical fitness, personal initiative and enthusiasm were selected as distinguished graduates, and represent the top 15 percent of their class.
The Honor Graduate of Basic Class 278 was Ensign ENS Colter Tucker. CAPT Deviney and RADM Kilian congratulated ENS Tucker. He received a CECOS coin and copy of “Can Do! The Story of the Builder-Fighter Seabees of WWII,” signed by Admiral Kilian.
The following officers graduated with distinction. Each distinguished graduate received a congratulatory letter and CECOS coin.
ENS Duncan Belfour
ENS Jonathan Hargraves
ENS Joshua Harris
LTJG Kira Keyes
ENS James Kramer
ENS Samraat Singh
LTJG Tak Sohn
ENS Rachel Williams
ENS Kaileen Myers was the latest recipient of the Commodore Hunt Commemorative Esprit de Corps award. She will have her name inscribed on the plaque which bears her name. In honor of the 80th Anniversary of CEOCS, Brandy Kessler, the eldest grandchild of Eileen Hunt joined the onstage presentation of the award.
Above all others in BC 278, ENS Myers represented the narrative on the plaque which reads: “In recognition of those members of Basic Classes past who personified the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork, demonstrated an infectious and unwavering positive attitude and distinguished themselves through their personal energies in support of their class and shipmates.”
Following the award presentation, Kessler spoke about her grandmother’s enduring legacy as the Commodore of CECOS. She described how her grandmother was the matriarch of their family and also served as matriarch and mother of CECOS, her second family. The legend which follows her is being the Commodore of CECOS. It was a title she carried with pride and humility, according to Kessler.
Prior to walking through the doors at CECOS, Hunt’s Naval career began many years earlier when she enlisted as a yeoman in the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) during WWII. As a trailblazing woman in the Navy, she served with pride. That’s where she would meet her husband and take on a new naval career and arguably one of the toughest – the job of a military wife. A role she proudly shared with her grandmother, Kessler said.
She recalled a conversation with her grandma around her 80th birthday and Kessler asked her, “Granny, are you ready to retire now?”
Without missing a beat, Hunt replied, “Retire, why would I do that? I’d be bored. My job keeps me busy and it’s what I love.”
“Her employment at CECOS ended up being her longest job with the Navy, but I’m not sure she really ever saw it as a job. She loved her time here,” Kessler expressed.
Lieutenant Andrew Quan, CEC, USN, Basic Class Adjutant prepared BC 278 for graduation. He announced the names and duty stations of each student. Officers stepped up to the stage, saluted RADM Kilian and received their diplomas.
CAPT Deviney awarded graduates with a CECOS class photo plaque with the new Fighting Seabee in the background.
Recent CECOS graduate ENS Dylan Martin, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction (NMCB) Four in Port Hueneme was proud to see how the team of Seabees successfully installed the statue in time for his class graduation.
“It was truly inspiring. You know it represents the very people that we’re here to lead,” ENS Martin said.
The statue’s two pairs of hands hold traditional tools of the Seabees which demonstrates their versatility and adaptability. The submachine gun in the right arm with one hand on the trigger and the other holding the drum magazine, symbolizes its dual purpose combat role, the former University of South Florida graduate illustrated.
“ …but if we need to, we will fight, and we’ll win. And it’s a huge symbol of strength and resilience,” ENS Martin described.
Being a professional in the CEC was one of the key elements cited by RADM Kilian. He spoke in detail about the term professionalism and how it reflects on the performance of architects and engineers.
During their indoctrination at CECOS, continuous learning and troop engagement are instilled in them to foster a highly credible and competent CEC community.
Lieutenant Commander Damian Allen, CEC, USN, Public Works and NAVFAC Readiness Division Deputy Director, along with senior leadership, basic class advisors and instructors drive forward a comprehensive curriculum that challenges junior officers beyond the walls of classroom training.
“The future will demand leadership, guidance and decisive action. We must be prepared to think creatively, embrace new ideas and develop innovative approaches to accomplish our missions – whether in the face of natural disasters, emerging threats or new engineering challenges,” LCDR Allen expressed.
Bringing the Bee Back to Life
The current and past commanding officers of CECOS sought ways to showcase the CEC and its heritage. The message was received loud and clear. It wasn’t too long before word came back about an antique Fighting Seabee that was once displayed in front of the original Seabee Museum. The figure had been stashed away on base by retired Construction Builder Chief and former Construction Equipment Division Director Joseph Paris, who passed away in 2021.
Former CSFE Command Master Chief CMDCM Alonso Cadena asked Grant Glover, CSFE Logistics Director, N4 and retired Lieutenant Commander, CEC, USN, to take a look at the artifact. There was looming concern that the bee, which was not destined for the museum or any other home, would be disposed of or left to irreparably degrade.
Glover drove over to NAVFAC EXWC Expeditionary Maintenance Division immediately and discovered the derelict statue in the midst of an outdoor cement slab full of heavy equipment scrap. The closer he got to the junk pile, the more he realized how significant the bee probably is without knowing its full story.
“The first thing to caught my eye was the straight, machine type screws that were used to put the body together, and they were all over this bee. I’d say in the thousands,” Glover revealed.
He recalled there were some rivets used around the wings, dryer duct, over one hundred patches of galvanized metal used in the fabrication, combined with cracked bondo on the body to try and repair some of the battle scars and severe weathering.
Glover spoke to both CMDCM Alonso Cadena and past CO CAPT Peter Maculan about his recommendation, “… We should do everything possible to preserve it,” he said. They both wholeheartedly agreed and thus began its journey to CSFE. In March of 2024, the command pushed for a complete restoration.
The Seabee was refurbished by NAVFAC Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC), Expeditionary Maintenance Division (EMD) at NBVC Port Hueneme. The three month restoration plan focused on maintaining the original character and exposure of all the classic elements of construction to highlight its folklore past.
“I’m just happy that it’s going to get a new home, bringing it back to life,” Michael Holguin, Expeditionary Maintenance Center (EMC) Work Leader described. He was the primary repair technician assigned to the project and possessed the necessary all around skills to preserve the Seabee’s historic character and colorful charm.
Holguin was honored to contribute his talents in showcasing the 1940s artistry by the young men who had shaped the Seabee by hand, using a collection of repurposed materials he surmised.
The 17-year EMC employee fabricated replacement parts, applied layers of fiberglass and new rivets which secured the massive 10 foot wings to the body, altered the hands, tools, and submachine gun. He glued and seam sealed the structure and prepped the surface for multiple layers of primer and paint, like it was a classic car.
“This is something that’s unique. This is something that’s one of a kind. This is something no one else will ever have, Holguin acknowledged.
As he brought back the Fighting Seabee’s handcrafted spirit, Holguin felt a captivating connection to the figure and it became a part of him, he mused. The bond created also took a little something from the work leader. The vocational experience was unlike any other bodywork or or paint job he had performed before.
“I mean it’s an honor. You know, it’s history. It’s the bee history. It represents a lot of things, it’s pride,” Holguin voiced.
He was also grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to Paris, his old director. It was Paris’ dream to see the statue come back to life, building upon the memorable story of the Seabees for all to admire, Holguin acknowledged.
“He was all about the bees, everything for the bees, he loved the bees, Holguin reminisced. “He was also about us, the civilians. You ask anyone here, he took care of everyone.”
NMCB Four Brings the Bee Home
The day before the BC 278 graduation ceremony, an 11K Skytrak Terrain forklift hoisted the Fighting Seabee off the heavy equipment trailer. Two tethered, handheld lines helped maintain the bee’s stability as the NMCB moving crew maneuvered the statue to their recently constructed eight foot high concrete pedestal.
“Being out here and putting this large Seabee statue in front of CECOS where all theses officers are going to come and make an impact across the battalions is amazing,” NMCB Four Builder Chief Petty Officer BUC Janelle Bencic said.
The high profile project represented her first time role as chief builder. She was impressed by the battalion’s brand of dedicated teamwork and work ethic. The new chief also recognized the steadfast efforts of Builder First Class Petty Officer BU1 Nathaniel Mitchell, project supervisor and Builder Third Class Hunter Wiese, crew leader for stepping up to support the overall operation.
NMCB Four personnel were committed to helping bring home the Fighting Seabee in time for the CECOS anniversary and graduation ceremony. Their exemplary construction skills throughout the scope of the roughly six week project were on display daily for Basic Class 278 students to observe firsthand.
Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG Maria Vargas, CEC, USN, NMCB Four project manager, believed the assignment encompassed the Seabee’s can do spirit in successfully meeting the completion deadline and logistical concerns the battalion was working through.
She recommended junior officers be inquisitive with their petty officers to help understand their role better. Vargas advised them to rely on the diverse experience and in-depth knowledge of team members to make the right decisions.
“I think you have to find the right balance between confidence and humility while you’re here,” LTJG Vargas said. “At the end of the day, you’re in charge , but when we show up, we don’t know everything.”
Casting an impressive profile of relentless achievement, the statue will serve as a teaching aide and enhances the school’s training environment. “I wanted this Seabee to inspire future generations of CEC officers and Seabees who walk through these halls,” CAPT Deviney said. “I really think expectations and legacy mean a lot with military units. Because when the chips are down, the expectations of success and what needs to be done, will get you through the hard times. It always has before and I think it will again.”
The super size Seabee is roughly the size of a retro Volkswagen bus and weighs about 2,400 pounds. The colorful rings of yellow and orange electrifies the bee’s high gloss black body, which is proudly adorned by hundreds of flat head screws and rivets used during the 1940-50s.
It wears a Navy sailor dixie cap and caries various tools of the trade, along with a submachine gun for defense. The 10 foot wings, stand tall and are white with a forward facing seafaring blue outline which matches its six arms. On its sleeves are Seabee ranks and rates, and the gold crossed oak leaves of the CEC.
The high flying statue symbolizes the Seabee motto “We Build, We Fight” (Latin: Construimus, Batuimus), coined in 1942 by Admiral Ben Moreell, the father of the Seabees.
Constructionman Senior Chief Eric George, NMCB Four Advanced Base Construction Company Bravo Senior Enlisted Leader envisions CEC officers will view the Seabees with similar meaning as he does. “… Because to me, it’s everything.”
CUCS George, who’s been in the Navy for almost 20 years, takes pride in everything the Seabees do. “Like the can do spirit, fighting through all the challenges, the perseverance, the struggles,” he said. “Nothing is never easy that we get tasked with.”
The Can Do Spirit Reflects Seabee Heritage
CAPT Deviney aims to set clear expectations for CEC officers from the very moment they arrive at the school house. He believes junior officers will immediately recognize the statue’s importance for an ongoing learning engagement beyond the classroom environment and how it encapsulates the dual mission of construction and combat readiness.
“They’re going to succeed in the most difficult of circumstances, because that’s what we’ve always done,” CAPT Deviney said. He pointed out that CEC officers are there to support Seabees live up to the Seabee model. “They can do anything they set out to do. That’s what I want them to see in the Seabee,” Deviney explained.
The Seabees’ ability to build and defend was a core part of their identity to support the war effort in the Pacific by constructing bases, runways, and other critical infrastructure in WWII, while also being capable of defending these facilities. This dual role has continued throughout their history, with Seabees deploying to various conflicts and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
“Although the Civil Engineer Corps has been around for 158 years, I think we really came into our own, we became more famous if you will, when the Seabees came on the scene in Word War II,” CAPT Deviney conveyed.
He views the Seabees as a cornerstone of who the CEC are and drives home the message to basic class students throughout their CECOS experience. “It’s kind of the heart and soul of what CEC officers do. That can do spirit, the motto of the Seabees.”
The expectations for these young officers are to model the Seabee spirit and understand how valuable the rich legacy of success is to their mission objectives and leadership role during a future conflict in some remote area of the world.
CEC officers, along with their Seabees, may not at times posses all the tools required to solve the problem, but they find a way, CAPT Deviney pointed out. “Seabees have always succeeded by solving problems as best as they can.”
NMCB Four’s ENS Martin comprehends the revered significance of what the Fighting Seabee personifies when boots are on the ground and it’s mission critical to move a plan forward.
“I know that I’m not quite going to know how to do something. And, or I’m not going to know where even to start, possibly. But now I confidently can say that I have the tools that I need to figure that out. And no matter the task, I’ll get it done. One way or another,” he confirmed.
The rich, can do legacy of achievements, matched with an unwavering role to uphold future expectations with confidence for successfully leading Seabees to new heights when called upon, is the foundation of professional learning taught at CECOS.
“We learn a lot about the great Civil Engineer Corps officers and Seabees that have gone before us up until this point. All the amazing things that they’ve done around the world, all the amazing things that they’ve built, the people that they’ve helped. It’s honestly really big shoes to fill and it’s intimidating. It’s exciting. I’m ready, I’m ready for it,” Martin announced.
The Fighting Seabee’s vibrant goals and distinguished character are proudly displayed out front of Moreell Hall at the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School like an enduring medal of honor – a daily reminder of the culture forged from the past, matched with innovation of instruction to safeguard freedom, the Navy counts on CEC officers to deliver with confidence and ingenuity, no matter the mission.
The Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering is committed to the ongoing mission in educating CEC officers to embrace a heritage of distinguished ideals for what is expected of them from this point on. “We have gotten the job done and I want them to continue to get that job done after they leave here,” CAPT Deviney stated.
(Command note:) To view the video, “CECOS 80th Anniversary & Basic Class 278 Graduation Ceremony,” please visit:
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/962446/cecos-80th-anniversary-basic-class-278-graduation-ceremony
To view the video, “WWII Fighting Seabee lands home at the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School,” please visit:
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/967965/wwii-fighting-seabee-lands-home-naval-civil-engineer-corps-officers-school
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2025 16:09 |
| Story ID: | 544020 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 74 |
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