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Massapequa sailor serves at Pearl Harbor
Serving in the Navy has given Massapequa’s Claude J. Schirmer II opportunities that he would not likely have had as a civilian. Schirmer, the 29-year-old son of Richard and Lynn Lawrance of Massapequa, is enjoying advanced training and world travel while serving with Construction Battalion Unit 413 (CBU-413) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. CBU-413 mobilizes as the public works support unit for Navy Reserve Fleet Hospital 23. This requires the battalion to keep their training and readiness at peak levels so they can deploy on short notice if needed. Naval construction battalions have a long and storied history that dates back to World War II. Working at a frenetic pace, it was noted that they looked as "busy as bees" which resulted in their mascot, a bumble bee, carrying tools in most of its hands and a machine gun in another hand. The machine gun represents their ability to fight while working in combat zones throughout the world. Construction is the main speciality of Seabees but other job specialties support the battalion. Sailors who work in supply, administration, communication, medical and dental contribute to the Seabee unit’s mission. Schirmer, a nine-year Navy veterans is a construction worker who specializes in building and repairing waterfront structures. "I am a crew leader for a 12-man crew on a pre-engineered building," said Schirmer, a 1988 graduate of Massapequa High School. Being stationed in Pearl Harbor is considered by many to be prime duty. Schirmer enjoys this duty and other rewarding experiences while doing his job. "The most rewarding aspect of working in construction is that at the end of the work day there is something new that we have built," Schirmer said. The secondary mission of CBS-413 is to perform construction for Navy Region Hawaii. All Navy activities in Hawaii fall under the command of Navy Region Hawaii and may request construction support from CBU-413. Additionally, CBS-413 maintains a Seabee self-help program to provide construction support to all commands. The self-help program uses Seabees from CBS-413 and sailors from the requesting command to complete small construction projects, which saves money for the Navy and provides on the job experience for the Seabees. Serving in the Navy with CBU-413 has been a learning experience for Schirmer and his fellow Seabees. "I’ve learned so much in the past nine years of service that I cannot say what is the best lesson that I have gained since joining the Navy. There have been too many rewarding things that have happened to me," Schirmer said. The Seabees build everything from shelters, to bridges and runways, and are capable of defending these sites as well. They have demonstrated their unique skills in hostile regions from Korea and Vietnam to Somalia and Kosovo. Seabees go through rigorous field exercises, weapons training and an intense physical fitness program. It is through this regimen that the Seabees live up to their motto: "We Build, We Fight."
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