CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – U.S. Navy Senior Chief Julio Beatrice is a Seabee at heart. The Seabee’s “Can Do” attitude has been a way of life for the reservist, whether it’s in Arizona or Afghanistan.
When his two young nieces, a newborn and a five-year old, needed a father-figure 20 years ago, Beatrice stepped up to accept the responsibility. There was no question in his mind that it was the right thing to do.
“My family was going through some hard times and I stepped in. The youngest was just a little thing,” said the 24-year Navy veteran, holding up his hands sideways about one foot apart to demonstrate the size of the youngest, Amanda. The older niece, Amy, was five years old at the time. “It’s the best thing I ever did. It kept me on the straight and narrow.”
Beatrice chose a career in construction to support his family. The native of Dunkirk, Ind., has lived and worked in Gilbert, Ariz., for the past 17 years as a project supervisor and estimator at a local company specializing in sprayed concrete or mortar for swimming pools, underground parking, canal linings, arched culverts and other such structures.
His civilian experience, coupled with his background as a Navy Builder, has served him well in his role as quality control and quality assurance specialist at Regional Command North’s Rule of Law section at Camp Marmal, just outside the city of Mazar-e Sharif. This branch acts in a supportive role with Afghan-led projects that serve to facilitate local government by established laws. For example, the construction of an additional courthouse will help to efficiently serve the needs of citizens on a timely basis. This, in turn, fosters trust and builds confidence between the citizenry and its government.
“The Rule of Law section makes sure that judges, lawyers, and district attorneys are doing things according to Afghan law. It’s to help them enforce their own rules,” said Beatrice, who drills with 1st Naval Construction Headquarters based in Little Creek, Va. “If Afghan citizens see that the Afghan government is doing what it was elected to do, then those citizens are more apt to follow that law. If Afghan citizens see that they don’t follow it, they may turn elsewhere.”
While a systemic legal process is needed to effectively serve its citizens, it still requires an adequate amount of infrastructure to support and sustain it.
“We have gone to many Afghan government facilities to see what they need. Once we determine this, I make a statement of work, which is the basis for a contract,” explained Beatrice. “Then it goes to our headquarters in Kabul for approval and back down here. When they say funds are available, our contracting officer puts it out for bid.”
Tech. Sgt. Travis Day, a fellow member of the Rule of Law team at Camp Marmal, accompanied Beatrice on work-site visits. While Day noticed Beatrice’s dedication for helping Afghan citizens, he also saw how the Seabee cared for his comrades.
“Senior Chief Beatrice is a caring individual. He genuinely cared about all of the enlisted personnel he came into contact with,” said Day. “Whether it was coordinating care packages from his hometown American Legion or doing morale construction around camp, he often thought of others first.”
According to Beatrice, the project he is most proud of is the construction of a court house in Mazar-e Sharif. Beatrice sees the great potential of a court house, but also emphasizes the project was requested and built by Afghans themselves.
“It’s really a good, big project. We are here to help the people, to give them a better way of life. Not our way, but a better way for them to make for themselves in their own way,” said Beatrice. “Plus, they are doing the work and we’re just helping them. We aren’t dictating to them. That’s a big difference.”
After a contract is awarded to an Afghan company, the construction phase begins. The next step is of particular importance, according to Beatrice. Civilian jobs may boost the economy, but, more importantly, the work project mandates Afghan contractors to comply with building codes and standards that were part of their approved bids. This is where the Seabee’s expertise comes into play.
“If they say they are going to put six inches of concrete, I check. If they agreed to use certain types of products, it’s my job to follow up on what they said they were going to do,” said Beatrice. “They come to understand that this is a contract and you have to stick with what’s in the contract. It’s what they submitted and agreed to do.”
Beatrice returns home in February to continue the never-ending responsibility of parenting he started 20 years ago, having taught Afghans the “Can Do” quality construction work that will, in turn, leave a legacy of improving lives in Mazar-e Sharif.
“We taught them how to build a better product and a better future for their country. It’s really gratifying. It’s well worth it,” said Beatrice.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2012 07:00 |
| Story ID: | 84085 |
| Location: | CAMP MARMAL, AF |
| Web Views: | 334 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Navy Senior Chief embodies Seabee ‘Can Do’ attitude, by CPO Oscar Troncoso, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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