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Bataan Recognized for Ship's Store Excellence

Navy NewsStand

2/10/2003
Story Number: NNS030210-06

By Journalist 3rd Class Ryan Scofield, USS Bataan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The ship's store aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) has something that only three other ships in the Atlantic Fleet have achieved this year-- the Ship's Store Retail and Service Excellence Award.

S-3 division was presented the award for fiscal year 2002 Jan. 6. This award earns the command the supply Blue "E" award, which in turn brings the ship one step closer to earning the coveted Battle "E" award.

Sailors were randomly selected to participate in a survey as part of the award's process.

"One hundred Sailors were surveyed on things like service, variety of goods and the quantity of merchandise we carry," says Lt. j.g. Leo Ochoa, S-3 division officer. "We received a 95.5 percent approval rating."

Ochoa says part of the reason for such a high rating from the Sailors is what the store offers the ship.

"We try to have a variety of items. We're not Wal-Mart or anything like that, but we try to do the best that we can," Ochoa said. "Once a month we get newly-released DVDs and CDs. Soon we're going to start selling PlayStation 2 games. How many ship's stores can say they offer that?"

Every purchase made at the ship's store directly benefits all Sailors and Marines aboard Bataan, according to Chief Ship's Serviceman Michael Chapdelaine, S-3 division's leading chief petty officer.

"The money MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) uses for the crew comes from the ship's store," Chapdelaine said. "Last year, the store raised over $375,000, which enabled us to have the best Christmas party this ship has ever had. We even bought new gym equipment."

Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Ledrick Lackey, the store's supervisor, says he's proud they won the award but that isn't their ultimate goal.

"Our job isn't really about awards, it's about service and sales," says Lackey. "The real reward is knowing that I provide my shipmates with a little bit of home."

Later in the year, Bataan will compete against the other ships in its division that won this award. The next level of competition decides which command gets the "Best of Class" award for the entire Navy.

"At the end of September, when everything is taken into consideration, I think we'll finish on top," Ochoa said.