History

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) is located on the Oxnard plain, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, right on the beautiful Southern California coast. NBVC comprises several sites, the Naval Construction Training Center (NAVCONSTRACEN) being located on the Construction Battalion Center (CBC) in Port Hueneme. CBC is the home of the Navy's famous "Pacific" Seabees. Whether you are assigned to one of the Seabee battalions, or one of the many tenant activities, you will become part of the Seabee "Can Do" spirit.

CBC Port Hueneme was officially established and began operating on May 18, 1942. During the World War II, 20 million tons of supplies and equipment and more than 200,000 men were staged and shipped out from the CBC. During that time, more construction supplies and equipment were shipped from Port Hueneme than from any other port in the United States. The CBC also provided the same type support for the Korean War, Vietnam, and Operations Desert Shield, Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The mission today is much the same as it was in 1942 -- to provide a homeport to furnish training, administrative and logistic support for Seabees serving in all parts of the world.

During the years, the CBC has expanded or contracted depending on the world situation. Today, to accomplish the many tasks required to fulfill its mission, about 10,000 military and civilian personnel work at the bustling complex. The base itself covers more than 1,600 acres and has more than 29 miles of road and streets and 10 miles of railroad track. The CBC's range of skills are military and civilian engineers, scientists, instructors, administrators, information technology specialists, supply specialists, and construction workers, all combined to augment the "Can Do" spirit of the Seabees.

Originally known as Camp Rousseau, the Advance Base Receiving Barracks, now Naval Construction Training Center (NAVCONSTRACEN) was established in Port Hueneme in September 1942. During World War II about 100,000 construction workers were trained for duty with the construction battalions. In 1945, Camp Rousseau became the Training and Distribution Center with the first classes convening in November of that year. There were 19 trade schools with courses running from three to twelve weeks. By BUPERS action in 1947, eight schools were established to conform to the seven new Seabee ratings and the draftsman rating. In 1948, the Training and Distribution Center was renamed U.S. Naval Schools, Construction (NAVSCON) with "A" and " B" School levels added.

By November 1956, the growth of the schools caused chief of naval operations to designate NAVSCON a major shore activity. Class "C" (Advanced) levels were added in 1958.

In 1972, NAVSCON became part of the Naval Technical Training Command and, in July 1974, changed its name to the NAVCONSTRACEN. Disaster recovery training was added in 1976; the Underwater Construction Technician School was established in October 1977 but moved to Panama City, Florida, in 1999.

Accreditation was initially granted in January 1979 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In January 1984, the first reaccredidation was attained. In July 1991, NAVCONSTRACEN attained accreditation under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In January 1996, the Council on Occupational Education (COE) assumed the accreditation for NAVCONSTRACEN. In 2005, the NAVCONSTRACEN was again accredited by the COE.

Interservice Training Review Organization (ITRO) History

The ITRO has been utilized for many years. The 3787th Air Force Technical Training Squadron was organized in 1967 to facilitate administration of growing numbers of Air Force trainees at NAVSCON. By the time the squadron was disestablished in 1971, over 2,300 Air Force personnel had been trained by NAVSCON.

In July 1993, ITRO was again created to reduce costs in the Department of Defense by consolidating similar training in the Armed Forces. The military services began reviewing the civil engineer and construction trade skills training for consolidation. A Detailed Analysis Group with members from all services found the initial-entry courses had enough in common and could be combined to save money. Full implementation became a reality in October 1995.

The ITRO plan selected the NAVCONSTRACEN in Gulfport, Mississippi, as the training site for Army, Navy, and Air Force students attending builder and steelworker apprentice courses. Construction mechanics for the Air Force and Navy are trained at NAVCONSTRACEN, Port Hueneme, California. Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, is the ITRO training site for construction electrician and utilitiesman apprentice courses for the Navy, Air Force, and Army. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is the ITRO training site for the equipment operator and engineering aides apprentice courses for the Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps. Each service provides instructors and administrative personnel at the training sites.