NAVSUP Participates in 19th Annual Bring Your Child to Work Day

By David Rea, Naval Supply Systems Command Corporate Communications

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- Many children had the opportunity April 28, to see the significance of what their parents do in helping to provide logistics support worldwide, and also the chance to see videos, learn about proper nutrition, and get their hands dirty.

Headquarters, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) participated in the 19th annual Bring Your Kids to Work Day, sponsored by Naval Support Activity (NSA), Mechanicsburg, Pa. The event gives kids a chance to see what kind of jobs their parent do, and exposes tomorrow's workforce to the federal workplace.

The children participated in many activities, including watching the "A Day in the Life of a Supply Corps Officer," video, which was awarded a 2010 Chief of Information (CHINFO) Merit Award. Cmdr. Scott Stahl, who serves as Navy Working Capital Fund retail budget analyst at NAVSUP, showed the video during two sessions, and then held a question and answer session. "I think it's nice to allow your kids to come to your work and see what it is you do," he explained. "They may not appreciate or really understand what their parents do, until they actually see what they do every day to support our Fleet."

Children also had the opportunity to learn about nutrition, as NAVSUP Dietician, Jennifer Person, held two briefings for children, centered on the food children need to eat to "grow up, not grow out," she said. Comparing different fruits and vegetables with the colors of the rainbow, Person asked the children to name foods that have the same band colors. "Fruits and vegetables are easy to eat, they do not have to be cooked, and they make for a quick snack," she explained to the children. "And they give you a lot of energy, which allows you to run around outside and be a kid," which caused many smiles and hand claps.

Several children also took the opportunity to exercise their green thumb, and planted flowers in the beds in front of the very building where their parents work. Soon afterwards, participating parents and children went to a buffet sponsored by the NSA Mechanicsburg Officer's Club.

NAVSUP's primary mission is to provide U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality of life issues for our naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.