USA: Master Chief Petty Officer of Navy Visits NAVSUP

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) visited Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) June 19.

During the visit, MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West, was briefed on NAVSUP’s Shipmates to Workmates program, the Navy Cash Program, and new training initiatives for Navy culinary specialists (CSs) to boost their skills and service to Sailors around the fleet.

He also discussed efforts to improve the number of spare parts on board ships and submarines.

MCPON also took a walking tour of the NAVSUP facilities, as well as a tour of the base where NAVSUP is located-Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. The tour included the base’s Navy Exchange, new base housing, and finally a CS food demonstration in NAVSUP’s Research, Development, and Training Culinary Center (RD&T), which supports fleet operations with menu and recipe development while providing a world-class train-the-trainer location. MCPON had the opportunity to do some home-style cooking with the CSs on hand.

“Our CSs, and all supply Sailors – in my eyes – are important in setting the tone for all commands,” West said. “And getting back to the scratch cooking will really make a difference for our Sailors serving aboard ships.

“Improving the number of spare parts on board our ships and submarines is as much about improving the quality of work of our Sailors as it is about improving readiness.”

MCPON spoke with enlisted Sailors serving at several commands in central Pennsylvania. “We are the most capable Navy ever, and I believe we are headed in the right direction with our manning and programs,” West explained.

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to host MCPON here in Mechanicsburg,” said NAVSUP Commander Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich. “We enjoyed having the opportunity to show him what we do at NAVSUP to support and deliver sustained global logistics capabilities to our Navy and Joint warfighter worldwide.”

The NAVSUP and Navy Supply Corps’ diverse team of more than 25,000 civilian and military personnel oversee supply chain management for material support to Navy, Marine Corps, joint and coalition partners, supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, security assistance, and quality of life issues for our naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods. The NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps team forms a vast network of professionals who deliver unparalleled products and services to customers in the fleet and across the world.

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Naval Today Staff , June 22, 2012; Image: US Navy