EODESU 2 Sets Bar High, Surpasses Expectations
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090704-22
Release Date: 7/4/2009 5:46:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Katrin Albritton, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2, completed the Supply Management Certification (SMC) June 29, earning an overall score of 99.4 percent.
The SMC is designed to evaluate the condition, administration, accountability and operations of a command's Supply Department, as well as the department's ability to support a unit's primary mission. The grade of "Outstanding," reserved for commands earning a 95 to 100 percent score, denotes a command with a superior operation and no major discrepancies.
The road to this inspection began three months prior, with a pre-inspection from members of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). EODESU 2's Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Lee Weber, said the command fell well short of "outstanding" during the initial assessment.
"It was the first time for this assessment, and I believe they scored just above 50 percent," he said. "NECC's effort and support they put forth on showing our Sailors how to do business and how to conduct day-to-day operations, showed that NECC made a commitment to us as an echelon five command. It was as if they were saying, 'Yes, you are at 50 percent but we'll work hand-in-glove to get you guys to be certified.' Obviously we did more than just certify."
The inspection utilized a checklist to identify various areas that impact mission accomplishment. Lt. Bryan Bustamante, EODESU 2's supply officer, said the inspection is the way a type commander (TyCom) can certify a unit and its logistical functions.
"This certification is our stamp that says we're doing everything right and that we're going the right direction," he explained. "As long as we sustain that, we remain mission ready."
Storekeeper 1st Class Sacoyia Aiken, the Supply Department's leading petty officer, said the first thing they did after the preliminary evaluation was to put each discrepancy on a dry erase board. This helped the Sailors to concentrate on what needed to be improved.
"I think for someone to come in and tell us that we were failing helped because I take that personally," she said. "That made me want to say, 'Ok I have to show you that I do know what I'm doing.' That was a personal thing for me and I think that initial assessment really contributed to our success."
Bustamante said the logistics of being expeditionary isn't much different than being on a naval vessel. However, he said the command's customers are located in various detachments across the nation and around the globe. The challenge, he said, is not only getting them what they need, but doing so in a timely manner.
Even though customer comments weren't a factor in the inspection, Aiken said the command had received negative comments, and that these comments ultimately helped make things better.
"As they complained that we were making the processes harder, we were able to streamline our process," she explained. "We don't hear it as much as we did in the beginning, so it paid off. We must be doing something right."
Weber said the results of the inspection were more than anyone expected. Because this was the first SMC inspection for the unit, he said the precedent has been set for future inspections.
"Having such a high score sets a bar," Weber said. "In the end what this showed is everyone's willingness to set aside any pride and work toward an end goal of just making sure the operation is running successfully."
Weber and Bustamante both agree that the success of EODESU 2 rests on the hard work of their Sailors. Aiken agreed, and said the teamwork displayed by the Sailors she leads is an indication that this score will not be a one-time occurrence.
"I can sincerely say these are my SKs and they got the job done," Aiken said. "I'm happy with the overall score that we got. We know that maintaining that score is the hardest part but we will make it happen."
For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/necc.
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