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Adequate supply is key to any successful organization. Without it, companies would flop, equipment would fall into disrepair and the mission would fail. To defend against this disaster, the Navy has created a collateral duty designated as a Repair Parts Petty Officer (RPPO).
Aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), there are over 20 different departments, and within each of these departments there are Sailors who are chosen to assume the role of RPPO.
RPPOs are in place to ensure divisions receive their materials accurately and in a timely manner. It is a complicated job that can be difficult without the proper training.
Passing the test and finishing the personnel qualification standard is only half of the process. Once that is complete, the Sailor must correctly fill out paperwork, complete a turnover with the previous RPPO, and follow the right routing process while maintaining an understanding of the proper way to fill out and submit orders.
“Figuring out the RSupply system isn’t easy. Once you’re given access, it can still be very confusing,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Yaritza Rosario. “Once you’re in RSupply, you click on actions, and choose requestor. Then you click on log to choose which type of order you’re submitting, initial request or material. Most RPPOs use material but not always, so it is vital to know the appropriate paths.”
Along with ordering supplies for their division, RPPOs are often called to help their work center supervisors (WCS) with the completion of maintenance.
“When the WCS puts a maintenance related job in, it becomes suspended,” said Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlyn Watt, the Media department RPPO. “The RPPO is the person who goes into S-1 with the operational target log, and this gets the order unsuspended, then that generates a receipt. Once you have the receipt you go to whichever supply storage spot on the ship has your item.”
Over time Watt has picked up some tricks to make the job a bit easier.
“I noticed that one issue I would run into when I first started was, I’d have forms saved on the server that were outdated or off by one letter. Now I make sure to double check I have the most current version of forms because one typo or different letter can get your order kicked back, which is a major setback I like to avoid,” she said. “Going to the trainings has been beneficial for me because it helps me stay up to date on proper forms and nomenclature, which enables me to submit my orders correctly the first time around.”
Fortunately, if Sailors are training to become an RPPO or already designated and want to become more knowledgeable on the position and maximize success, they can attend RPPO training, led by Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Isabella Mendez.
“It’s a good idea to attend the training to really understand that, as an RPPO, you’re not just ordering parts,” said Mendez. “You have to know what parts you’re ordering, what work center you’re going to, if you’re item is repairable or not.”
Mendez hopes to clear up confusion during these trainings. Sailors who attend RPPO training will receive a detailed study guide that covers basic information, different supply divisions, forms, publications, government purchase cards and internal material obligation validation (MOV). Sailors are allowed and encouraged to participate in trainings and ask as many questions as possible.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Mendez. “I know it’s not an easy concept to grasp at first glance. I’m here to help.”
Properly trained RPPOs are a necessity to the efficiency of all departments and divisions on the ship and with the RPPO training held Thursdays at 1000 in the aft mess decks new and experienced RPPOs can keep their skills honed and their departments supplied.
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2023 16:02 |
| Story ID: | 438791 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,029 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Repair Parts Petty Officer, by PO3 Samantha Alaman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
