History
First built as a temporary depot in the early days of World War II, the Naval Construction Battalion Center has been the home of the famous Seabees ever since. The battalion is a veteran of World War II, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In the early days of World War II the center was established to train, stage and supply the newly created Seabees. Since then the Seabees and the center have seen and made much history together. The base was officially established and began operations on May 18, 1942. During World War II 20 million tons of supplies and equipment and more than 200,000 men were shipped out from the center to the Pacific battlefront. When the Korean War began in 1950, almost all of the Navy construction equipment and supplies were routed through Port Hueneme. Again, in 1965 during the Vietnam Conflict the center was a major port for shipping unmatched levels of supplies and equipment. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, Port Hueneme was ready to support the construction needs of the Navy. More than 1,800 Port Hueneme Seabees built camps and countless miles of roads in the Saudi Arabian desert. The port shipped integral supplies and equipment totaling more than 145,000 tons to support military forces engaged in Desert Storm. Over the years the center has expanded or contracted depending on the world situation. To accomplish the many tasks required to fulfill its mission, about 8,500 military and civilians work at the complex today. The majority of the workforce is comprised of scientists and engineers. However, logisticians, analysts, computer specialists, technicians and administrative personnel complete the workforce profile.
Naval Construction Battalion Center
NCBC is the home of four Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB 3, NMCB 4, and NMCB 5 and 40), the Underwater Construction Team, the 31st Naval Construction Regiment Headquarters and Naval Construction Training Center. The center provides training, administrative and logistical support for Seabees throughout the world.
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division
NSWC occupies approximately 697,000 square feet of the Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) in Port Hueneme. Although the NSWC and the NCBC are physically located together, operationally they remain separate. The Port Hueneme Division, one of five divisions of the NSWC headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the combat and weapon systems in-service engineering division. The NSWC mission is to provide test and evaluation, in-service engineering, and integrated logistics support for surface-warfare combat and weapons systems, as well as related expendable ordnance of the Navy Surface Fleet.
Naval Construction Training Center
The Seabee College, as the NCTC is known, is one of two training centers for the Seabee ratings. Courses ranging from one to 13 weeks in length give military personnel instruction in both the classroom and the field, with hands-on experience in a variety of topics from disaster recovery to underwater construction.
 Naval Civil Engineers Corps Officers School
CECOS’s primary mission is to provide new Civil Engineers Corps officers with basic orientation and training for their first tour of duty. These officers are newly graduated engineers and architects who are commissioned in the Navy from engineering schools through NROTC and OCS programs, Naval Academy graduates or Naval officer transfers. Typically, their assignments range from public works officers for shore bases, contracting officers for new construction and officers assigned to Seabee battalions.
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, established in 1993, consolidates the missions of six components of the NAVFAC for specialized facilities engineering and technology. These components include ocean facilities, shore facilities, environmental resources, energy/utilities, amphibious logistics, and technical services. NAFAC established the Specialized Expertise Program to provide worldwide technical support to Navy field activities and other customers.
Engineering Duty Officers School
Engineering duty officers make up a small group of Navy professionals who provide technical leadership for the design, development and maintenance of Navy ships and systems. The EDOS provides specialized training for new EDOs as well as advanced training related to the support of the NFESC activities.
Naval Reserve Center
The Naval Reserve Center provides mobilization support and military training to more than 725 reservists in 21 units. They vary in diversity, including Naval Construction Battalions, Assault Craft Units, Cargo Handling Battalions, Underwater Construction Teams and Special Warfare Units.
Relocation and Temporary Housing
The Family Service Center, located in Buildings 102 and 1156, serves as an information and assistance center for military personnel and their families. The relocation-assistance program includes welcome brochures containing complete information of on-base facilities and surrounding communities, hospitality kits containing futons, bedding, kitchenware and household articles that are available for loan, and indoctrination programs.
 There is a full staff of counselors who are available to assist with any problem from spousal employment to parenting. If you have dependents, you should communicate with the Base Housing Office as soon as possible by sending a letter with copies of your transfer orders.
Temporary lodging – one- and two-bedroom houses – is available for special visitors; and there are 20 RV spaces for temporary visitors.
For any type of assistance in relocating contact the battalion administrative officer at 805/982-4928 or DSN: 551-4918. Fax: 551-3961. The address is NMCB Four, Unit 25284, FPO AP 96601-4941.
Transportation / Vehicle Registration
The center is served by Amtrak (805/487-8787), Greyhound Bus (800/231-2222), Great American Stageline (805/499-4316) and Yellow Cab Co. taxis (805/483-2444). The Ventura County Airporter also provides transportation to and from Los Angeles International Airport. Air transportation connecting with LAX can be made by contacting the Oxnard Airport.
All vehicles operating on the base must be properly licensed and registered within 60 days of arrival with the Security Department. You must provide a copy of current state registration, a valid driver’s license, California smog certification and identification card to register vehicles and to obtain a center vehicle permit.
Housing
Military family-housing quarters are available at Port Hueneme Naval Construction Battalion Center and at Camarillo. Both PHCBC and Camarillo units are available in two-, three- and four-bedroom units. All are equipped with refrigerators, ranges and dishwashers, and all have connections for either gas or electric dryers. Housing includes 77 officer family units and 723 enlisted family units. Referral for Camarillo Public Quarters: (805) 982-4321. Off-base housing is available in surrounding communities (as described in the beginning chapters of this guide). There is a set-aside program that offers military personnel a 5-percent break in rent and waives the security deposit. In return, the landlord is given a guarantee of recovery of damages if they should occur. The Housing Referral Information Services office, located in the Family Housing Welcome Center Building 101, maintains a listing of houses and apartments for rent. For more information call 805/982-4144 or 805/982-4144.
Bachelor officers are provided quarters in Building 1434. This building offers suite-type accommodations: a living room with attached kitchenette, and a bedroom with attached bath. Officers in transit are offered accommodations in Buildings 1434 and 1201. Referral: 805/982-4115. Bachelor enlisted housing is available by calling 805/982-4115.
Base Facilities
The Navy Exchange and Commissary Mall, a one-story, 133,000-square-foot building, is located at the corner of 23rd Street and Dodson Street. The exchange combines a main store, mini-mart, specialized mall shops, uniform shop, barber and beauty shop, dry cleaner, garden shop and food court — all under one roof. The Commissary is next to the Navy Exchange. The Chapel Complex in Building 1433 offers a complete religious program including weekly services and religious assistance. In addition, the Family Service Center offers counseling services for substance abuse, financial services, social services, spouse employment, personnel, etc.
 The Child Development Services Branch has two child-care centers in Buildings 1391 and 1487. They operate full-time child care, part-time preschool and kindergarten. Child-care centers are open 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call 805/982-4663.
Employment
Information is available at the personnel office about on-base civil service and civilian employment with contractors from the surrounding community, both large and small companies that provide a variety of technical and administrative services. Inquiries may be made directly to contractors who also offer off-base and on-base jobs.
Commercial Port of Hueneme
Port of Hueneme is the only deep-water harbor between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it is the fourth busiest harbor in the state. The port also serves as an import/export station for cargo and as a staging area for offshore oil operations. It also provides space for local sport and commercial fishing industries, and is the home of the largest dockside refrigeration storage facility on the West Coast. A U.S. Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designations are among the advantages of Port of Hueneme.
Medical Services
The Naval Medical Center provides out-patient medical care to active military and their dependents only; no emergency services are offered. The clinic offers primary care, pediatrics, optometry and referral to specialty services. Appointments: (805) 984-8433. Health benefits: (805) 982-6322. The Branch Dental Clinic located in Building 914 provides dental care for military personnel and dependents. Appointments: 805/982-5584.
Pet Control
Animals are to be registered with the Veterinary Clinic within 10 working days of arrival on base. Owners will confine pets at their residence or exercise them under the owner’s direct control.
Postal Services
The Post Office is located on base in Building 77. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Monday through Friday.
Navy Campus Office
The Navy Campus office in Building 1180 offers assistance in planning educational programs that will enable participants to advance educationally and vocationally. Programs are available locally to provide courses leading to high school completion, two-year vocational programs, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Information on tuition assistance, VA benefits, correspondence programs, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), college catalogs and current on-base college programs are available. The center also sponsors a college fair once a year for military and civilian employees to become familiar with local universities and colleges. A list of nearby universities is available in the “Expanding Your Mind” chapter.
Schools
Both elementary and secondary students attend schools operated by the Port Hueneme Public School District. There are also private schools available in the surrounding communities. Please see the listing under Education.
 Recreation
The base offers a variety of outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, activities and libraries for military personnel and their families. There are youth, community, and fitness centers; a bowling center; swimming pool; gym; 18-hole golf course; theater; auto shop; tennis; volleyball; ball field and a skating rink. The Youth Activity Center provides a diverse and well-rounded recreation program for children grades kindergarten through high school.
The Employee Recreation Association (ERA) is dedicated to providing a non-profit recreational program to employees, retirees and their families. All civilian and military personnel are members of ERA during their period of employment at the base. The ERA plans numerous social events throughout the year, including trips to Catalina Island, Las Vegas and Morro Bay/Hearst Castle, as well as dinner dances, golf tournaments and coed softball leagues.
Museums/Tours
CEC and Seabee Museum, Port Hueneme Construction Battalion Center Building 99 on 23rd Avenue in Port Hueneme (805/982-5165) features a collection of uniforms, arms and other items used by Seabees and the Civil Engineers Corps. Hours have been limited due to security concerns following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, so it’s best to call for hours and guidelines.
Ship tours: Port Hueneme is the only deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, providing an excellent site for the Navy’s visiting ships at the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center. Several naval ships a year visit Port Hueneme for evaluation, inspection and testing, as well as public touring.
Visitors On Base
All visitors to Port Hueneme Construction Battalion Center will be required to check in at the CBC Badge and Pass Office to be issued their badges and vehicle passes. If the badges are required to be prepared ahead of time, a fax must be sent with a request. A list of attendees must be provided to CBC at least three days before the meeting. Visitors coming from other facilities that have NAVSEA badges will be required to check in at the CBC Badge and Pass Office to obtain a vehicle pass. The point of contact will be required to notify the CBC Badge and Pass Office after 1600 with the name of the individual expected to visit the base. CBC Badge and Pass Office Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and it is located at Building 11, adjacent to the Pleasant Valley Gate. After 4 p.m., visitors must be directed to the Sunkist Gate. Telephone number: (805) 982-2015/2088
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