Disabled Americans, Wounded Warriors Key in Reducing FLC Backlog

By Candice Villarreal, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Corporate Communications

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) San Diego announced Aug. 1 that eight disabled Americans have found full-time employment through an ongoing task order for contract management support (CMS) services between the command and National Industries for the Blind (NIB).

The CMS services, provided to the Navy by NIB through the AbilityOne program, include validation of contract payments and funding status, confirmation of receipt and acceptance of goods and services by government customers, and completion of required documentation to properly close out contracts.

Since the contract was initially awarded to NIB in September 2010, the Navy has seen a 1,000-contract close-out backlog reduction.

The CMS program allows Navy contract professionals to perform essential contract tasks without the additional administrative burdens associated with routine contract close-outs. As of June, NIB personnel have dedicated more than 4,000 hours to the contract close-out process.

"This arrangement with NIB frees up time for our contracting personnel to focus on other important aspects of our operations," said Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and chief of Supply Corps. "Moreover, the citizens performing these beneficial functions — blind Americans, wounded warriors and service-disabled veterans — are getting the chance to contribute to the Nation's defense through this partnership. I couldn't be happier."

The support services also allow the government to recover funds that were obligated, but not expended, during the course of contract completion and return them to the U.S. Treasury.

"Any situation that benefits the Navy and provides jobs for disabled Americans simultaneously is certainly a win-win," Heinrich said.

The program has generated benefits not only for the Navy, but for the AbilityOne Program and individual communities, as well. Between San Diego and Philadelphia, a total of 13 disabled Americans have been placed in full-time positions in the upwardly-mobile contracting profession as a direct result of the award.

Representatives from AbilityOne said they recognize the Navy's support and appreciate the new partnership.

"The Navy, under [Rear Adm.] Mark Heinrich's leadership, was one of the early adopters of the AbilityOne contract close-out program," said Kevin Lynch, president and chief executive officer for NIB. "This single act of advocacy has given several individuals who are blind the opportunity to have meaningful contracting jobs, and to fully utilize their skills and abilities. These knowledge-based jobs are a critical part of NIB's efforts to serve the blindness community and it is through the Navy's support of the CMS program that we can fulfill our employment mission."

NAVSUP FLC San Diego, one of seven fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, August 04, 2011

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen will conduct a briefing today at 2:45 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973).  All journalists must be seated by 2:35 p.m.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn has no public or media events on his schedule.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen delivers remarks at 9 a.m. EDT at the U.S. Joint Forces Command disestablishment ceremony in the JFCOM Complex, 115 Lakeview Parkway, Suffolk, Va.  Media interested in attending should contact Kathleen Jabs, JFCOM PAO at 757-826-6552.

Army Maj. Gen. James Terry, commanding general for Regional Command South, will brief the media live from Kandahar, Afghanistan at 10:30 a.m. EDT in the Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973) to provide an update on current operations.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call 703-697-5131 for escort into the building.

This Day in Naval History - Aug. 03

From the Navy News Service

1804 - American Squadron, including USS Constitution, attacks Tripoli.

1812 - Frigate Essex capture British brig Brothers.

1861 - Construction of USS Monitor authorized.

1861 - First manned ascent in a balloon from a ship, gunboat USS Fanny, to observe Confederate artillery position at Hampton Roads, Va.

1942 - Mildred McAffee (Horton) becomes the first woman officer commissioned into the Naval Reserve.

1950 - First Marine Corps aviation mission against North Korea by VMF-214, from USS Sicily (CVE 118).  Read about this historic event and others from the best Korean War books.

1950 - First helicopter evacuation in Korea by VMO-6.

1958 - USS Nautilus (SSN 571) is first ship to reach the geographic North Pole while submerged.

1970 - USS James Madison (SSBN 627) conducts first submerged launching of Poseidon nuclear missile off Cape Kennedy.

Frank Cable Partners With Locals To Serve Subic Communities

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David R. Krigbaum, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), completed a week-long series of community service (COMSERV) projects, July 30.

Cable, in port for repairs, provided tended support to the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763). Their duties kept them busy, but many Sailors also dedicated their spare time helping the local communities in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, and Subic City.

Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Rinaldi, who organized many of the COMSERVs, said that these types of projects are seen as an integral part of Navy's mission while in foreign countries, especially in this part of the world.

"COMSERVs exist mostly these days as a part of larger strategy to build partnership and interaction with the people of the nations whose ports we visit," said Rinaldi.

The projects included performing repair work in schools, handing out clothes to local children, organizing a beach clean-up and tree planting effort, and finally, playing soccer with the children in the community.

Sailors also spent time at the International Children's Advocate Orphanage, home to 30 deaf and blind children, painting classrooms and spending time getting to know the children. Frank Cable's medical staff was on hand to conduct medical and dental exams. The children sang and danced to show appreciation and to celebrate all the hard work.

"It is not very often that we have this kind of opportunity," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Lea Devera. "I am fortunate enough that I get to serve my fellow Filipinos, while at the same time doing what I do as part of the Health Services Department."

Devera said that she enjoys the sense of fulfillment she gets from helping the community. Like other Frank Cable Sailors from the Philippines, Devera she just wanted to help make an impact in a unique way by acting as a translator, as well as a caregiver.

At Ilwas Elementary School, Frank Cable's medical staff again conducted medical and dental examinations. The medical staff taught the children about proper nutritional health and exercise, which is the current topic for National Nutrition Month in the Philippines.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rufino Vegamora, also a Filipino, spoke to the children at the elementary school and led them in group physical training.

"It was a perfect opportunity to focus on its importance, which is basically an everyday norm and culture in the Navy," said Vegamora. "Physical Fitness in the Philippines has suddenly become popular in the past three years, and I'm hoping I can contribute to preventing it from just becoming a trend."

During their stay, 182 Sailors performed over 1,000 hours of community service, while the medical and dental teams treated hundreds of patients. Rinaldi said he was proud of the Sailors and what they accomplished with their service.

"It was an overwhelming and special feeling to be among this elite group of Sailors," said Rinaldi. "Never once did I have a thing to worry about. They understood what needed to be done, and they did it; far exceeding expectations."

Cable performs maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.