Navy Civil Engineer Corps

ABOUT
Every year huge investments are made on construction projects that support the Navy’s high-tech fleet
of ships, aircraft, equipment and personnel. At the center of these projects is a talented group of Civil
Engineers who help to ensure that each initiative is conceived, planned and completed on time, in
budget and according to specification. If you’ve ever dreamed of building the most advanced military
projects in history, the opportunity to become a Navy Civil Engineer awaits.
The CEC Collegiate Program introduces you to Navy life at your own pace. There are no uniforms, no
drilling, and no service obligation until after you graduate. Simply work toward your degree, earn as you
go, and then begin the process of becoming a commissioned Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, you can receive unrivaled hands-on experience and advanced
training in civil engineering areas including architecture, construction engineering, environmental
engineering, water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic engineering, land
surveying, structural engineering, transportation engineering and community planning. You’ll quickly
find yourself in charge of vital Navy projects, where you might:
• Oversee construction of everything from runways to docks to buildings of all kinds
• Supervise and manage utilities and other critical services
• Manage a variety of skilled construction workers (Seabees)
• Arrange budgets and schedules
• Approve completed work
More specifically, you can focus your work on any or all of the following areas:
Contract Management—Be the primary contact between Navy and civilian contractors, managing
contracts worth up to hundreds of millions of dollars. Handle every aspect of a project from overseeing
construction to resolving design problems, to ensuring that payments are correctly processed.
Public Works—Assume responsibility for any of the hundreds of Navy shore facilities—some as large as
entire cities. Supervise and maintain utilities. Oversee construction and repair, manage budgets,
approve public works plans and provide services to visiting ships.
Construction Battalions—Command up to 600 Enlisted Seabee construction workers in the construction
of airfields, bridges, ports or buildings—all in support of both humanitarian outreach and military
deployment.
PAY AND BENEFITS
From the day you start, you’ll receive:
• Competitive salary
• Free health insurance
• Free housing
• A retirement plan
• 30 days paid vacation per year
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Prospective Navy Civil Engineers may qualify for the Civil Engineer Collegiate (CEC) Program, which earns
between $2,900 and $5,800 per month, depending on your rank and basic allowance for house, while in
school. If accepted into the program, you will earn a salary and medical benefits while you’re in school
for up to 24 months.
Following your initial tour as a Civil Engineer, you can attend the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in
Monterey, CA, where you may be able to earn a master’s or doctoral degree while being paid full-time.
Opportunities for further education within this platform include:
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Navy Tuition Assistance Program
• Navy College Program
• VOLED Assistance Center
• VOLED Region Advisors
• Navy War College (NWC)
• USAF Air University Air Command and Staff College
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
• U.S. citizen
• Bachelor’s degree—preferably in the field of civil, mechanical or electrical engineering
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether
you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
As a Civil Engineer, you may work at Navy bases or ports of call around the globe. You may be deployed
to help develop or rebuild areas affected by natural disasters. Your day-to-day work may be indoors,
outdoors, in a shop environment or in office surroundings.
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES
There are part-time roles as a Civil Engineer in the Navy. Serving part-time as a Reserve Sailor, your
duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling,
Civil Engineers in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.