Seabees: National Instrument of Power Projection

Seabees are versatile instruments of power projection because of their capabilities to execute disaster relief operations, engineering civic action, and overseas construction that contribute to National Security Strategy's (NSS) efforts in diplomatic, information, military, economic, development, strategic communications, and homeland security. Unfortunately, the recent reduction in Seabee force structure is detrimental to national security. Further reduction would create capacity degradation with direct impact to US power projection. Degraded Seabees will result in a capability gap that would not be readily filled by any existing units. In spite of current fiscal constraints, the Department of Defense should prevent future reduction of Seabee strength in order to preserve a unique capability of power projection. The United States must continuously engage and adapt to the ever-changing global military, economic, and the borderless non-state transnational entities.