COLUMNS BY THE EDITOR - ISSUE #1
"The Supply Lines"
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 SKCS(SW/AW)
Charles (Chuck) Zwierzynski
EDITOR - Navy Storekeeper.com
EMAIL - webmaster@navystorekeeper.com
BACKGROUND: +21 Years Active Duty
DUTY STATIONS:
COMFLEACT Yokosuka Japan, USS MIDWAY, USS INDEPENDENCE, USS KITTY HAWK, NAVPHIBASE
Coronado CA, COMCRUDESGRU THREE (onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN), JCSC Larissa Greece, NAF
Mildenhall United Kingdom - CURRENT ASSIGNMENT: PCU GEORGE H. W. BUSH
VOLUNTEER MENTOR FOR: 1 Navy.com
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The Proposed SK, SH & PC Rating Merger -
A Chief's Opinion |
Many of us in the
Storekeeper (SK) field may have already seen the article in the NAVY TIMES (19 April 2004 edition) alluding to the
proposed rating merger of the SK, Postal Clerk (PC), and Ships Serviceman (SH) fields.
I am here to tell you, shipmates, that it will eventually happen. Count on it
occurring in the next 2 – 3 years.
There are many who think this is an excellent idea (Navy Storekeeper.com is one of them!).
Thus, the proposal is currently under preliminary commonality study by the Supply
Enlisted Community Manager (ECM). While not yet finalized, this is a perfect
opportunity for those in the SK community to be leaders. Put our money where our
mouths are and prove to our sailors: change is a good thing. And also: no matter how
well a procedure works, there may very well be a better way of doing things (i.e. a rating
merger of similar job descriptions).
The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) has directed the ECMs to pare the current rating
community totals of 145 to less than 95. This is both a cost-cutting move, yet, most
importantly, a re-evaluation of our ratings and how they match up to optimal manning of
our commands in today’s United States Navy.
Now let’s not get in a “surround the wagons” on my rating-community dither.
I can hear the thinking now: how can a PC think they can do an SK’s job?
How does a SK think they can do an SH’s job? And so on and so on.
If you read the Navy Times article, a retired Postal Clerk said: “I think it’ s
easier to train a PC to do supply duties than to try and make an SK or SH into a postal
clerk”. Are you kidding? Who can say that with impunity? Who can
say which job is harder to accomplish or learn? Give me one good motivated sailor
from another rating and I, as an SK Chief, can teach them how to run a SNAP II database.
Just as much as a PC Chief could teach one of my SKs all the policies regarding
registered mail, both Navy and U.S. Postal Service.
Another comment by the same retired Postal Clerk: “Most of the problems I found were
when they had non-PCs handling money and the mail”. With the advent of the Cash
Card on all ships, that takes away the money-handling question. And I have seen some
great SKs (and SHs) working on logistical teams moving cargo/mail throughout an operating
theater…without a hitch.
So, let’s be brutally honest. Each rating can do each other’s job and I
can prove it. All it takes are two very simple concepts: training and leadership.
Here is an analogy to chew on: what coach (Chief) wouldn’t want a well-trained group
of outfielders (SKs), infielders (PCs), and pitchers (SHs) that knew each other’s
jobs? You would have what we all want: a great supply team! If we train them,
and if we lead them, it can be done.
It is true I am not privy to the exact details being constructed by the Supply ECM in
regard to this merger proposal. Yet, anyone can take a good look at the Navy job
descriptions for the 3 ratings and find several similarities and overlaps of
responsibilities and knowledge. Customer service, managing inventories, procuring
material, directing transportation of material, maintaining financial records, and issuing
material to name a few. For one, the logistics responsibilities of moving cargo and
mail for the fleet by SKs and PCs is overlapping.
Now let’s take a look at another avenue we should be providing our sailors: increased
opportunities. Such a merger proposal would give sailors in each rating another
avenue for knowledge, personal improvement, and ability to play a larger role in service
to a command.
A young sailor, on their first enlistment, may find the SK rating less interesting as
originally thought, and find the PC or SH duties will benefit their knowledge for future
career choices, on active duty or for a civilian job. No cross-rating bureaucracy,
just training in a different area of a supply field.
The college credit opportunities expand as well. Take a good look at the Navy
College web site (http://www.navycollege.navy.mil) and review the college credits
available in each of the 3 ratings by rank certified by the American Council on Education
(ACE).
For example (not including basic Seaman credits): PC1s can receive 22 college credits
through Navy training, SK1s receive 18, SH1s as clerks receive 5, SH1s as barbers receive
20, SH1s as dry cleaning specialists receive 6 plus 11 vocational, and SH1s as tailors
receive 17. And that is without any duplication of credits. An expanded avenue
of learning opportunities!
Additionally, the advancement opportunities will increase. Currently, the SK
community boasts just over 9,000 enlisted sailors – 5th largest rating in the Navy.
Add in the over 900 PCs and over 2,700 SHs, the rating would become the 2nd largest.
Per the Supply ECM, this translates, taking past advancement data percentages into
account, an increase of 3 TIMES the advancement opportunity for PCs and an unbelievable 10
TIMES the advancement opportunity for SHs. What sailor would not like to have that
opportunity?
Yes, it is true this will not be an easy merger to create without a lot of thought in
order to ensure a specific service or responsibility by a particular rating is maintained.
Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs) would still require trained sailors in more
detailed or technical job duties for each of the 3 ratings. And a structured merger,
such as accomplished between SK and AK (aviation storekeepers) recently, will require the
complete support of the Chief Petty Officer community.
For those of us (and I have 17 years active duty as an SK under my belt) who feel that us
“old dogs can’t learn new tricks”, then ponder this: Did you become a
good Leading Chief or Leading Petty Officer because you were a great technician…..or
a great leader? |
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