PORT HUENEME, Calif. – Thirty-two civil engineer corps (CEC) junior officers graduated from CEC Basic Qualification Course at the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School (CECOS) Oct. 28. 

The 15-week course covers a wide range of topics such as leadership, professional development, public works, construction technology, contracting, expeditionary construction and combat operations.


 
CECOS provides CEC junior officers with the necessary skills, knowledge and education to enhance lifelong learning and to provide quality support to the fleet.

Graduation from the course is required for new U.S. Navy CEC officers prior to reporting to their initial assignments as assistant public works officers and construction managers at Navy and Marine Corps installations or as platoon commanders and staff officers in the Naval Construction Force.

The guest speaker for the graduation ceremony was Rear Adm. Dean A. VanderLey, Commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) and 46th Chief of Civil Engineers.

“Your mission, my mission, our mission, is the warfighting mission. You are each warfighters,” said VanderLey. “Do not forget that.”

VanderLey also thanked families and friends, commending them for their loyalty and conveying his deep respect and gratitude for their sacrifices.

This was the third basic class to graduate under the command of Capt. Peter Maculan, CECOS Commanding Officer.

“This class marked the fifth and hopefully final group of young officers to endure the challenges of training through the COVID-19 pandemic, said Maculan. “Their ability to stay focused while donning masks during the first half of this course and still able to perform as a complete team will prove a valuable lesson overcoming future challenges once they enter the fleet. It’s an exciting time for these junior officers, and each of them can proudly say that they’ve earned the title of CEC officer.”

Five students were recognized during the ceremony for their performance during the 15-week course. The honor graduate, representing the top student of the class, was Lt. Cmdr. Paul Hill.  
 
Hill was also the recipient of the prestigious Commodore Hunt Commemorative Esprit de Corps Award. Named after Eileen Hunt, a long serving CECOS civilian employee and an honorary Seabee who stood the watch faithfully for nearly 45 years at the school, this award is presented to the student who best represents the class, personifies the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork, and demonstrates an infectious and unwavering positive attitude. 

Basic Class 273 distinguished graduates, representing the top 15 percent of the class, included Lt. j.g. John Nevins, Ensign David Miller, Ensign Gafayat Moredeyo and Ensign Sean Kee. The distinguished graduates were evaluated by their academic performance, leadership, physical fitness, personal initiative and enthusiasm. 

Basic Class 273 was made up of students who represent a cross section of society who come together in pursuit of a common goal – becoming a CEC officer. 
 
A small community of only 1,300 officers, CEC officers are found all over the world in highly technical positions supervising skilled personnel while working on construction projects, infrastructure repairs and maintenance, facility support contracts, real estate management, natural resource management, environmental planning and management, expeditionary construction and many other infrastructure management areas. 
 
From the very beginning, CEC officers obtain engineering management and leadership experience far exceeding that of a typical recent college graduate in engineering or architecture.

CECOS, located at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California, provides Seabees, civil engineer corps officers, facility engineers and environmental professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge and education to enhance lifelong learning and to provide quality support to the fleet.

For more info about CECOS, visit www.netc.navy.mil/CECOS/ or follow CECOS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CivilEngineerCorpsOfficersSchool/