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Big 'E' Completes 3M Assist Visit While Deployed

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110417-02
4/17/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alex R. Forster

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) received training and advice on shipboard maintenance during a maintenance material management (3M) assist visit April 10.

The 3M assist visit focused on several major areas: an inspection of work centers' 3M books, spot-checks of recently performed maintenance to ensure procedural compliance, a review and practical examination of the Current Ship's Maintenance Projects (CSMP), a review of the ship's zone inspection and trouble call programs and the ship's self-availability program.

"This is an assist visit, not an inspection," said Lt. George V. Bodine, Enterprise's 3M officer. "The 3M team comes aboard to assess and provide feedback on our 3M program to see if we are following the proper procedures and instructions. They take an independent view and make recommendations to help us get better."

The team of inspectors consisted of senior enlisted Sailors and two civilians who were divided to inspect each department aboard. The ship's Type Commander, Naval Air Forces, sends the team to all aircraft carriers throughout each year.

After the inspectors completed their initial inspections and assessments, they gave 3M training to every department, addressing any areas that may need attention or simply to give tips on how to make their programs better.

"They gave 3M training tailored to what they find during their 3M review," said Bodine.

The purpose of 3M assists are to identify specific areas of concern and to ensure that sustained effort is being made to follow correct procedures, as opposed to ramping up for a spot check.

"We're here to get a baseline as to how the ship is doing with their 3M programs," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) (AW/SW) Bryan Hay, one of the 3M inspectors aboard Enterprise during the inspection.

After the assist visit, the next time the inspectors will be on the Big 'E' will be for a 3M inspection.

"When the final inspection comes I think everything will go extremely well," said Hay.

The program is considered one of the key measurements of a command's success, and every Sailor on board is required to learn their role. Newer Sailors begin at the maintenanceman level where they conduct preventative and corrective maintenance within their department on the equipment they use to do their jobs and with any firefighting equipment, doors and hatches or anything else that requires maintenance in their spaces.

As Sailors become more proficient and more senior, they qualify to run the program within their work centers. These mid-level workcenter supervisors help train junior Sailors on how to perform maintenance and how to properly complete the administrative work that keeps the maintenance schedules updated and in place.

Finally, once a Sailor becomes a chief petty officer, division officer or department head, they are responsible for ensuring that the program is run properly throughout the ship as a whole.

Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.