[Jeff S KDTW]

You are correct.

You can get your Comm ME certificate as your initial Comm certificate, even without holding ME privileges on your Private certificate. In fact, the checkride for the Comm ME will NOT include such things as lazy 8's, chandelles, etc.

However, if and when you decide to addon SE privileges to your Comm certificate, you will need to perform all of the manuevers associated with the SE as layed out in the PTS.

One thing to consider, however, is that in many cases you will need "PIC" ME time for some reason (insurance requirements, resume, etc.). In such case, you might want to consider taking a checkride to add the ME privileges to your Private certificate first (this takes 5-10 hours). Then, as you train for the Comm ME, all of that training time can be logged as PIC ME time.

Good luck.