section. This section, like the drafting reproduc-
tion section, falls under the direct supervision of
an EA1, depending on the number of senior EAs
on board and their surveying experience. The size
and organization of the entire surveying section
will vary with the anticipated work load.
Your job, as an EA3, along with the other
crew members in this section, is to carry out the
scope of the tasks and responsibilities required of
the surveying section. Depending on the overall
mission of the battalion, typical surveying tasks
may include the following: collecting field data
and sketches for design purposes; conducting
surveys for horizontal construction (roads,
airfields, aboveground and belowground utilities);
conducting layout surveys for vertical construc-
tion (buildings, retaining walls, waterfront
structures, and so forth); developing level nets and
level loops to establish vertical control; developing
triangulation networks to establish horizontal
control; and measuring structures in place for the
purpose of preparing as-built drawings.
Versatility of the surveying section is essential
to the accomplishment of all the assigned tasks.
Sometimes all crews are used on one phase of the
surveying task; at other times, crews are shuttled
from one phase to another. Basically, for most
surveying tasks, personnel are organized into two
types of surveying parties: the TRANSIT PARTY
and the LEVEL PARTY. They are named after
the type of surveying instrument used.
ASSIGNMENT TO MATERIALS
TESTING SECTION
EAs assigned to the soils laboratory are
tasked with performing tests on such items as
subbase materials, aggregates, and concrete and
bituminous mixes to determine if these materials
meet specified quality requirements. You, as an
EA3, may be tasked to perform some of these
tests together with a more experienced EA.
Chapter 15 of this book can serve as a guide for
a review of some of the tests commonly performed
by an EA3.
As you gain experience in testing different
types of materials used in construction, you may
be tasked to work with the quality control section
of the operations department. EAs assigned to the
material testing section work closely with the QC
staff in several areas, such as in testing materials
to ensure that their inherent character meets
minimum requirements; interpreting results of
tests conducted on soil, concrete, and asphalt; and
preparing reports of the tests performed by the
testing section.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
To get ahead, you, as an EA3, must meet
certain requirements that have been prescribed for
your paygrade and rating. These requirements are
referred to as standards. Since these standards
deal with the technical or occupational subject
matter of each rating, they are called occupational
standards. Occupational standards may be found
in the Advancement Handbook for Petty Officers,
NAVEDTRA 71365 (fig. 16-9).
In addition to the occupational standards
prescribed for each rating, there are certain
military requirements to be met. The military
requirements for advancement are discussed
briefly later in this chapter and are discussed in
detail in special training manuals prepared to
cover the military requirements for advancement.
Figure 16-9.-Cover page of Advancement Handbook for
Petty Officers (EA), NAVEDTRA 71365.
16-12
