Convinced that war was approaching, the US Navy realized that fighting on the other side of the world would present new challenges. In 1940, the Navy began a program of using civilian contractors to build Pacific island bases. The use of civilian labor had to cease when the United States officially entered the war because under international law civilians were not allowed to resist enemy attacks. If those civilians resisted the enemy attack they could be executed as guerrillas. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Rear Admiral Ben Moreell had an idea on December 28, 1941, that idea prompted him to request the authority to create and operate a unique organization that would be able to support the Navy and Marines in remote locations and also have the ability to defend themselves if they were ever attacked. A week later, his request was granted and he formed the original Seabee battalions in Davisville, Rhode Island, at a new naval base. Less than two weeks later, the first naval construction unit, consisting of 296 men, was deployed to Bora Bora. The Navy built its own battalions with highly skilled, experienced craftsmen such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, equipment operators, and almost any trade in the building or construction trades were welcome. in the Seabees. Those units were commissioned in July 1942 for work on Midway Island. They were working on the new Sand Island airstrip and were beginning to repair the massive damage caused by the Japanese bombing. During World War II, the Naval Construction Battalion drafted an estimated 325,000 men to serve as Seabees. Those men built using 60 different skilled trades and fought in over 400 locations before the war even ended. The Seabees didn't just support the Marines, they helped numerous Vietnamese by digging wells and paving roads that gave them access to ranches and markets. The Seabees also provided medical care to large numbers of Vietnamese, as well as built their villages by building schools, hospitals, utility systems (such as electricity), and more. The Seabees proved that they were really just “peacebuilders” by sharing their knowledge with the Vietnamese people. The Seabees have continued to play a vital role in the global war on terrorism. The Seabees repaired airstrip facilities at Camp Rhino and Kandahar to support Operation Enduring Freedom. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, twenty-six Seabee units were deployed to Kuwait. Sixteen Seabees were killed during that deployment. During the deployment, the Seabees constructed numerous aircraft parking aprons, storage areas and more that played a vital role in aiding coalition forces. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Today, the Seabees are primarily manned by reservists, the other third of the Seabees are on active duty. Active duty members make up six active battalions, two amphibious construction battalions (ACB), and two underwater construction teams (UCT). Their main mission is to continue providing construction in the war zone. The Seabees are always ready to deploy on short notice wherever needed. During their travels, they work hard from dawn to dusk and even all night long. Humanitarian missions around the world are also operated by Seabees, who aid the United States in earthquake recovery efforts and.