One of the sections under the engineering officer is the drafting and reproduction section. As implied by the name of this section, the personnel assigned to it perform drafting and reproduction of engineering drawings. Most drawings and specifications are furnished to the battalion; however, it is often required that the NMCB site adapt structures, prepare plans of existing structures, design alterations of existing structures, adapt standard plans for use of local nonstandard materials, design new structures, and perform other design work. All major work designed by the NMCB must be approved by the command that exercises operational control (COMSECONDNCB or COMTHIRDNCB). In nearly every case, the NMCB prepares as-built drawings of all constructions performed by the battalion.

Most of the functions listed in the preceding paragraph are performed by the EA personnel assigned to the drafting and reproduction section. They all assist in the preparation, revision, and reproduction of drawings and perform other functions assigned by the engineering officer.

Generally, an EA1 or EAC is in charge of the drafting and reproduction section. This is a job that requires a person of superior administrative and supervisory abilities. At times your work load may be piled up so high that you will never finish without working overtime. At other times you may not have enough work to go around. These extreme situations may be avoided by proper planning and work distribution. A good method is to prepare a prioritized list of all major jobs to be done and another list of minor jobs. Naturally, you should try to channel most of your manpower toward accomplishing the major jobs first. Then, during slack times, give out the minor jobs, or fill-in jobs, for accomplishment

Kit 80011 (or Kit 11) of the NMCB Table of Allowance (TOA) contains the essential drafting equipment and tools needed by a construction battalion. One complete kit is intended to support three drafters, and there is normally a total of two kits carried in the battalion allowance. Full 100-percent accountability for the contents of each kit is essential. For this reason, each kit must be inventoried during turnover and at twice-monthly intervals throughout the deployment. The contents of the kits must also be inspected to make sure they are in a state of good repair. Any missing items or items that are damaged beyond economical and reasonable repair must be replaced. This is done using standard Navy supply procedures. Tool-kit inventory is a job that you should delegate to a responsible EA3; however, you should remember that, as the supervisor, you can still beheld accountable for the kits. You should remember, too, that the requirement for tool-kit inventory applies not only to Kit 11 but also to the surveying and soils kits.

Additional supplies and equipment are also stocked in the engineering office to supplement the kits. These supplies and equipment also should be inventoried periodically to maintain a reasonable supply level at all times. If possible, appoint one EA to serve in a collateral duty as your section supply petty officer. He will prepare requisitions for drafting supplies as needed and keep you informed of any need for equipment repair or replacement.

For the reproduction machine (usually a Blu-Ray whiteprinter), it is a good idea to have reserve spares for those parts that break down often. Most important of all, keep an ample supply of blueprint and sepia paper stored in a cool, dark space away from ammonia fumes or vapors.

Small crowded rooms hinder good work and make effective safety practices difficult. According to Facility Planning Criteria for Navy and Marine Corps Shore Installations, NAVFAC P-80, 90 square feet of floor space per person, exclusive of storage space, should be used for planning purposes. A length-to-width ratio of about 2:1 is desirable for a drafting room, because this ratio allows for the proper arrangement of drafting tables and good lighting.

An important factor to consider is the conservation of vision, since excessive light, as well as inadequate light, induces severe eyestrain. North-exposure windows are best for admitting daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. It is important that the lighting in the room be adequate in both quality and intensity; however, take care to avoid placing working areas in positions where they will be subjected to the glare of direct sunlight. Usually, excellent artificial lighting is achieved by the use of portable, adjustable lamps that can be clamped to the drawing table and moved so that the light falls in such a way as to minimize shadows and glare.

When you arrange the drafting room, try to separate work areas and storage space. Keep materials and instruments that are not in use in easily accessible cabinets and ensure that personnel do not have to walk around someone who is working to reach supplies. Keep prints where they can be reached quickly by any authorized person. If possible, have drafting equipment and reproduction equipment located in separate rooms.

The number of drafting personnel in a construction battalion is usually small; therefore, an elaborate organization following the series or the unit assembly system is not generally feasible. Instead, the parallel system is usually followed. In this system, each person is trained to do all the different job phases, and the same person carries a drawing through from start to finish. A senior person, however, may occasionally be assigned as checker and editor, and routine tasks, such as lettering, tracing, and insertion of corrections, may be assigned to junior personnel and strikers. However, to train personnel efficiently and to sustain interest and morale, you should maintain enough rotation to ensure that each person gets varied experience.