The manual is written primarily to aid in the training of personnel to meet the professional qualifications of the engineering aid, first class and chief. In chapter one, the trainee becomes familiar with the rewards and responsibilities of an engineering aid. Chapter two deals with principles of SEABEE administration, the organization and responsibilities of personnel in the Operations Department of a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, safety responsibilities, and the principles of the Personnel Readiness Capability Program. Chapters 3 through 15 deal with the technical subject matter of the engineering and rating (geodesy and field astronomy; triangulation; level and traverse computations; construction and land surveys; topographic surveys; horizontal and vertical curves; adjustment and repair of surveying equipment; drafting layout, checking, and editing; planning and estimating, estimator's catalogs and specifications; scheduling; soil mechanics; and quality control). Finally, chapter 16 is concerned with the public works organization, responsibilities, and procedures. (A subject index is provided.) (Author/BP)