Photo By Tristan Pavlik | Lt. Raoni da Paixao e Silva, Brazilian Navy, accompanied by NAVSUP FLC San Diego...... read more read more
This article was written by Lt. Raoni da Paixao e Silva, Brazilian Navy, Assistant Logistics Support Center Officer, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center San Diego and Honorary U.S. Navy Supply Corps Officer.
Before arriving in San Diego, my longest and most memorable overseas assignment had been the five months I spent as an Ensign on the NE Brasil (U-27), the Brazilian Training Ship.
As a graduate of the Escola Naval, the Brazilian Naval Academy, I, like the other recent graduates, participated in the post-scholar tour aboard the training ship. While deployed, we sailed across the world and executed several foreign port visits. This tour enabled me to utilize all the theoretical knowledge I acquired at the Academy, fostered a sense of globalism, and truly developed an understanding of the importance of interoperability between countries.
Reflecting on moments such as when our ship pulled into New York City, just as the sun rose, and I saw the iconic Statue of Liberty for the first time, or remembering the top-notch hospitality received when our ship was moored at Naval Station Mayport, I knew that I wanted to represent the Brazilian Navy overseas.
With those experiences in mind, when the chance to participate in the Personnel Exchange Program at Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego knocked on my door, I did not think twice about applying. After a long and rigorous selection process, I found myself embarking on the most challenging and gratifying professional experience in my naval career.
The Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) contributes to the enhancement of international and inter-service relationships by providing one-on-one exchange opportunities for U.S. Navy personnel with foreign military services. As a result, participants gain experience and develop professional knowledge of different countries.
This experience has been unlike anything I have ever done before. The process of moving to a foreign country with a different language, becoming fully immersed in a new culture, all while having the privilege to work alongside a diverse and qualified workforce, had made the PEP a truly unique experience for me.
As a PEP officer at NAVSUP FLC San Diego, my position, administrative assistant to the Logistics Support Center (LSC) director, is fully integrated within the LSC, whose mission is to provide value-added logistics support and end-to-end coordination to U.S. Navy afloat customers and U.S. Marine Corps Units through a network of husbanding agents and assist teams. The LSC director, Cmdr. Steve Jones, Royal Navy, is also a PEP Officer.
Working in a motivational and multi-cultural environment, I am responsible for the LSC metrics coordination, which includes the application of Customer Satisfaction Surveys, measurement and analysis of Assist Teams’ workload trend and elaboration of metrics reports. Monitoring our performance, discussing current standards and comparing them to the established goals have constantly driven us to fix issues and identify ways to improve logistical processes.
Additionally, I have had the pleasure of participating in some collateral duties of which have expanded the variety of tasks traditionally performed by PEP officers. One of my proudest moments was when I had the opportunity to conduct a brief for the NAVSUP FLC San Diego Wardroom about the Brazilian Navy. During the brief, I took the opportunity to highlight the longstanding and strong cooperation between our countries exemplified by the Lend-Lease Act of 1934 that enabled the decisive addition of Brazil to the Allied strategic position in the theater of operation in the South Atlantic during the WWII.
As the 20th Brazilian Exchange Officer stationed here during the centenary year of NAVSUP FLC San Diego, I feel it represents an incredible milestone in the partnership. I feel truly fortunate to be part of such a select team. Throughout these valuable two years, I have been able to share professional knowledge daily, accumulate practical experiences, and build lasting relationships.
My tour at NAVSUP FLC San Diego has constituted one of the most meaningful achievements in my career.
During my final days in San Diego, I was truly honored to be appointed as an Honorary Supply Corps Officer of the U.S. Navy by the Chief of the Supply Corps, Rear. Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos and to have been awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
I am honored to have served at NAVSUP FLC San Diego and I will forever carry the memories and experiences of my time in the personnel exchange program with me.
- Lt. Raoni da Paixao e Silva, Brazilian Navy, Assistant Logistics Support Center Officer, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center San Diego and Honorary U.S. Navy Supply Corps Officer.
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2023 15:54 |
| Story ID: | 439868 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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