The crew of guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) was named winner of the 2014 Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award for Food Service Excellence, April 29.
Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Ray Mabus, announced the winners via official naval message in ALNAV 031/14 where John Paul Jones beat the forward-deployed USS McCampbell (DDG 85) for top honors in the medium afloat category.
This annual award, co-sponsored by the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA), encourages excellence in Navy food service programs with the objective of improving the quality of life for Navy personnel.
“We are extremely honored to receive the Ney Award,” said Lt. James Jones, John Paul Jones’ supply officer. “For most of our culinary specialists, this is their first time experiencing the Ney, and I am extremely proud of all they brought to the table.
Jones said they could not have won the ward without the support of the entire command, especially the ship’s engineering department.
A total of 15 culinary specialists and 12 food service attendants worked tirelessly to ensure that not only was the ship ready for a surprise inspection, but that the men and women of the John Paul Jones received the highest quality service on a daily basis.
During the ship’s Supply Management Certification, a prerequisite for Ney Award consideration, John Paul Jones earned a 98.88 percent overall, the highest score Navywide in FY-13.
“Winning the Ney award is quite an honor for this ship and its fine crew,” said Cmdr. Andrew Thomson, John Paul Jones’ commanding officer. “The Ney represents the best of being what it means to be a ‘shipmate.’ Each and every member of the crew contributed to creating the culture of service and excellence that the Ney Award committee recognizes.”
The crew of John Paul Jones is currently making preparations for the ship’s change of homeport from Naval Base San Diego to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii later this summer.
[mappress] Press Release, May 2, 2014; Image: US Navy