Understanding the Hierarchical Organization of the US Navy Supply Department

In the United States Navy, the Supply Department plays an instrumental role in supporting the overall operations and maintenance of an aircraft carrier. This department is organized into various divisions, each designated by a letter from S1 to S6, with each division focusing on specific tasks crucial to the effective functioning of the ship and its Air Wing. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of these divisions is essential for anyone interested in the inner workings of the Navy Supply Department.

Introduction to Supply in the US Navy

The Supply Department is one of the largest departments aboard an aircraft carrier. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that stores and supplies are available to support the ship and its Air Wing operations and maintenance. This multi-faceted department includes various services such as food preparation and service, barber shops, tailor shops, and laundry services. Additionally, it operates ships' stores and hotel services for officers, manages IT systems, and handles the accounting and disbursement of all government funds, including payroll.

The Supply Officer and Their Role

The Supply Officer (SUPPO), typically a Commander with a staff corps designator, is in charge of the Supply Department. This departmental head has specialized training and experience in the Supply Department. The Supply Officer is responsible for overseeing all divisions and can be promoted to Captain (O-6) during their tour. The Supply Officer is also responsible for training and qualifying all personnel in the Supply Department, ensuring that everyone is well-equipped to fulfill their roles.

Supply Administration

The Supply Administration division provides clerical support to all divisions within the Supply Department. This ensures that all administrative tasks are efficiently managed, allowing the other divisions to focus on their specific responsibilities.

The S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 Divisions

Let's delve into the roles and responsibilities of the S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 divisions within the Supply Department:

S-1 Division - Stock Control

The S-1 Division is responsible for generating and managing budgets, including Operating Targets (OPTAR) which account for ship maintenance parts, service contracts, and Air Wing maintenance support. This division also handles the ordering and management of the ship's allowance of maintenance parts and Stocking Units (SKU's), ensuring that supply requirements are met throughout the year. Furthermore, S-1 is responsible for the accurate financial management of inventory to ensure ship and Air Wing readiness.

S-2 Division - Food Service

The S-2 Division manages two enlisted galleys (CPO Galley and Pantry), two bake shops, a vegetable prep room, a butcher shop, and three sculleries. It is tasked with ordering and managing an inventory of food stored in storerooms (including refrigerated space). This division is also responsible for serving meals to the enlisted crewmembers, catering for diplomatic receptions during port visits, and organizing “Steel Beach” crew picnics during stand-down days at sea.

S-3 Division - Ship's Service

The S-3 Division operates five retail outlets, including a ship's store selling sundries, uniforms, electronics, and watches. Profits from these operations benefit the ship's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) fund. This division also runs an industrial laundry and dry-cleaning plant, a tailor shop, and barber shops, providing essential services to the ship's personnel.

S-4 Division - Disbursing

The S-4 Division handles crew pay accounts, ensuring that paydays run smoothly. This division also manages special paydays before port calls and conducts currency exchanges in these ports. Other responsibilities include paying travel claims, port services, maintenance contract bills, and maintaining cash to support pay and contract obligations.

S-5 Division - Wardroom

The S-5 Division provides comprehensive hotel services, including food service, stateroom maintenance, and laundry services for officers and VIP guests. This division is also responsible for maintaining officer staterooms, managing the Wardroom Mess (a facility serving officers' meals), and catering for private parties for promotions, retirements, etc. The S-5 division generates menus, prepares meals, and collects billing for these events.

S-6 Division - Aviation Support

The S-6 Division is responsible for ordering, issuing, and managing the inventory of aviation parts for Air Wing support. This division issues parts to squadron maintenance and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance (AIMD) personnel and organizes and staffs beach detachments, especially in conjunction with the S-8 Division. S-6 ensures the management of the extended supply chain.

S-7 Division - Data Processing

The S-7 Division manages the procurement and use of all non-tactical data processing resources, ranging from desktop computers (PCs) to mainframes on the ship. It provides 24-hour service and support for supply and financial management, shipboard maintenance, material management, aviation maintenance, and personnel and pay management.

S-8 Division - Material

The S-8 Division manages the physical receipt, stowage, inventory accuracy, and issue of all ship maintenance parts and consumables. This division operates and maintains 40 storerooms and pre-expended bins for shipboard supplies, staffs and manages beach detachments, and manages material movement during Underway Replenishments (UNREPS).

Additional Personnel and Commitment

The Supply Department is augmented by Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) personnel from other ship's departments and the Air Wing. Typically, these TAD personnel are junior enlisted (E-2, E-3) assigned for 90-day periods. About six enlisted personnel are typically assigned to the Supply Department simultaneously, along with more senior personnel from squadrons to support additional services required by Air Wing operations. During deployment, around five Air Wing enlisted personnel are additionally assigned to the Supply Department to support these extended operations.

For anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into the US Navy's Supply Department, understanding the roles and responsibilities of these divisions is crucial. The hierarchical organization and specialized divisions work together to ensure that the ship and Air Wing are fully supported and ready for any mission.