U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

Courtesy Story

By Petty Officer 1st Class Felix Garza Jr.

MANAMA, Bahrain - Navy Supply Corps Command Master Chief Petty Officer James Collins and Navy Supply Enlisted Command Manager Cmdr. James Fabby brought the US Navy Supply Corps Road Show to Naval Support Activity Bahrain to discuss topics of interest regarding the enlisted logistic support community.

"We're here to give sailors tools to use during the time they serve in the Navy," said Fabby. "And if they decide to leave the Navy after their enlistment, they will have very marketable skill sets."

Topics discussed during the Road Show brief included advancement, retention, perform-to-serve initiatives, individual augmentee assignments, and the future of the LS community. The main focus of the visit was to prepare Navy Postal Clerks and Storekeepers for the recent rating merger that saw these two career fields combined into the new LS rating.

"I feel the merger will give us more opportunities because of the lateral training," said Logistic Support Seaman Noel Gallagher. He and three other sailors made a special trip to Bahrain from the USS Nimitz to attend this training.

Logistic Support Senior Chief Petty Officer Shawn Gibbons of Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Bahrain detachment was happy to coordinate the Supply Road Show's stop here because of the large number of Navy Supply personnel stationed in Bahrain.

"I'm glad our sailors here are now getting their information straight from the source," said Gibbons. "Having both the Navy Supply community manager and command master chief here made it possible for sailors to get straight answers to their questions directly from their supply community senior leadership. Right here in Bahrain."

A question and answer session was held immediately following the brief, during which it was explained how current economics, today's job market, recruiting, and retention affect not only the service members attending the Road Show, but the Navy as an organization.
"Not long ago it used to be Sailors were rushing to get out of the Navy because the job market offered so many opportunities," said Collins. "But these days, the Navy is more performance driven and career fields within the Navy have become much more competitive. I can't believe how much has changed in the past three to four years."

The Navy Supply Corps Road Show traveled throughout the Mediterranean with stops in Spain at Naval Station Rota, in Italy at NSAs Naples and Sigonella, ultimately finishing up at NSA Bahrain.

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