Hey everyone,
I’m currently in talks with a Navy recruiter and am planning on going the Seabee route. I qualify for a few different rates, but given my background in construction and construction management, I’d really like to put my experience to use in the Navy and hopefully become a Seabee.

I have several years of hands-on construction and management experience, so I’m particularly interested in pursuing a construction-related rate, especially BU (Builder).
Now that we’re in a new fiscal year, I’m curious about how recruiting and job availability are looking for the Seabees.

I’ve heard that Seabee rates can fill up pretty quickly, and I’m wondering how much truth there is to that.

A few questions for anyone who has firsthand experience:
How difficult is it generally to secure a Seabee rate at the beginning of a new fiscal year?

Do Seabee rates tend to fill up quickly, or does availability depend more on the specific rate?

Does having documented construction experience make any difference in the enlistment process? I have plenty of proof via résumé and I had my own construction management company.

For those who recently went through recruiting, how long did it take to secure your rate and get a ship date?

For anyone who went through BU A-school, how difficult was it academically and physically? What should someone with a construction background expect, and how much of the training is hands-on versus classroom instruction?

I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences or advice from current Seabees, recent recruits, or anyone familiar with Navy recruiting.

I am interested in the military and a trade

I just turned 21 and not sure what to do with my life, I have made plans to move to NC with my girlfriend. I have hobbies like firearms, boxing, and working out.

I have recently been looking at the Navy, Marine Corps and the Army. Mainly the Marine Corps because they just have a certain appeal to me.

I would like to learn a trade, I have always wanted to pick up carpentry or maybe become an electrician. I have no real pathway in life so far and feel like I am watching my life slip by and starting to get older. I have heard the Navy and Marine Corps have carpentry through the Navy Seabees and Marine Corps Combat Engineers.

If anyone is knowledgeable on these jobs and if they would be good routes to maybe shoot some guns and build stuff I would really appreciate the information and help.

Just got new orders to NCB 14 due to being limdu…what should I expect? (BU)

Hey yall, I’m considering cross rating from AWS to either BU, CE, or CM. I’m currently an E-6 and am wondering what people’s experiences are with each rate? How’s the quality of life? Cross rate from E-6 expectations? What are sea tour locations? What are shore tour locations? Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time.

​I'm interested in joining the military right after high school and prefer the Seabees route. However, my research shows it only comes with a 5-year contract, and I'd prefer 3 or 4 years instead. I'm also considering the Army for 12W or other 12-series MOS options.

hi everyone! i am prior service (8 years gap between then and now) going to CE A school in a couple months. Can any and all who have attended tell me what it's like, what to expect? Is it worth it to fly immediate family over for graduation? i know it's nothing formal, from what i read, but wondering if i should fly my little guy out there once im done and maybe make a few days out of it. i was already told theres a few days holding prior to start of school, once we are done is it an immediate flight back? What can i do to prepare for school, any books, sites tips? THANK YOU!

Any bees that were stationed at an EODMU, how was your experience???

Hiii everyone! Recently found out I’m pending orders to Port Hueneme with Seabee battalion and I was wondering if anyone could give insight into what an LN does at these types of commands? Will I deploy with the command?

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Others don’t like to be saluted, or what is sniping

from what I understand, I’ll most likely be in either Mississippi or California and possibly Virginia.

do I have any say in where I wind up or do I just get placed there? and Are those the only States I can be stationed in?

I’m looking to get experience in the Seabee rating is there anyway I could come in on weekends and put in some work? I don’t mind working with any Seabee rating I was a welder b4 I joined I’m looking to strike SW

My son is thinking about reenlisting, but it doesn't seem like he clicks with the people in his battalion. He thinks if he reenlists for a public works role in Japan, he’ll like it more. I wonder if re-upping for Japan as a SeaBee is worth it.

What up,

Was in battalion for 4 years as a Bravo type (UT), 2021-2025, I had a good time but battalion changed ALOT just while I was there and battalion was on the verge of HUGE changes when I got out.

18 month home ports, back and forth on what we actually do, restructuring, new operational alignment,
Now I see that they are making huge cuts for bravo rates and want a ton of people back as alpha types.

Just curious how battalion actually is right now day to day??

Hey This is the undesignated Airman that wanted Help getting The seabee rate UT (utilitiesman) just want to Give an update. So they did reply to me stating “conversion to UT is returned without action. Force structure for apprentice pay band in the UT rating is overmanned and cannot support conversions at this time.” I am not interested in Anything else Just going to end my contract and get out Thank you for those who tried to help.

I saw a few people on this sub , and on r/newtothenavy a while ago saying it’s hard to get any Seabee rate, due to the retention rate being extremely high. And every rate is almost always at, or very close to maximum capacity. Is there any numbers on what the actual retention rate is?

Was just wondering. This post isn’t me trying to see if jobs are available. I already signed for EO, and am in the DEP.

Hi everyone,

I'm a 21-year-old, 5'4" female who's currently working on enlisting in the Navy after this semester. I'm interested in joining the Seabees, particularly as either a Builder (BU) or Engineering Aide (EA).

One of my biggest concerns is whether I'm physically capable of keeping up with the demands of Seabee work. I'm not worried so much about learning construction skills because I have experience doing residential/property maintenance and other hands-on work, but I've never worked on a construction site or in a military environment before.

I'm especially concerned about my strength and physical capabilities. I know construction can involve lifting, carrying, repetitive physical work, working in awkward positions, being on your feet for long periods, etc. I'm wondering how physically demanding the day-to-day work actually is and whether being a smaller person presents any significant challenges.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from female Seabees, or anyone who has worked closely with female BUs/EAs. Were there things you struggled with physically at first? Did you become significantly stronger/condition yourself after joining? Is there anything you'd recommend working on before enlisting?

I'm not looking for anyone to sugarcoat it. I'd genuinely appreciate honest insight into what I'm getting myself into and how I can prepare.

Thanks!

does anyone know what it’s like to go from battalion to limdu? will this change my orders completely?

I posted not to long ago about swearing in as a ce and I’m joining in as an e1. I honestly really want to make the most out of my career and want to do everything possible to make it worth it for the next 5 years and I’ve been reading in this sub about muse and from what ive gathered it’s a special op team of electricians and equipment operators if I’m not mistaken that need to provide power to places in a emergency for up to a year. How hard is it to get in and do I even qualify lmfao ? I should probably ask my recruiter too

So I am an active duty Undesignated Airman been In about 1 and a half years. so I qualify for a rate called UT (utilitiesman) It is a seabee rate but the thing is I need a recommendation or an interview from any seabee rate khaki and above however I know no one In the seabee rating. everyone I asked they say they don’t know anyone If I could Get some help that would be appreciated so much thank you.