The retail service specialist rating, previously known as ship’s servicemen, is assuming a new role within the U.S. Navy’s post office system to improve advancement opportunities and offer the sea-intensive rating that manages and operates all shipboard retail and service activities more in-rate opportunities ashore.
“Rating realignments and mergers aren’t something new for the Navy, but I can attest that it can be challenging learning a completely new field,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Mary Anderson, post office leading petty officer of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. “We are committed to providing the retail services specialists with the training and support they need to be successful. They are supply professionals with a customer service focus, so I’m confident that NAVSUP FLC Bahrain will make this transition without delays or disruptions to our postal operations.”
Previously, post offices onboard U.S. Navy ships and mail centers ashore were operated by postal clerks. The rate merged with the storekeeper rating in 2009 to create the new logistics specialists rate. This realignment of responsibilities allows logistics specialists at NAVSUP FLC Bahrain to be totally focused on providing full-spectrum operational logistics support to the Navy, joint and coalition warfighters in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations while the retail services specialists assume the quality-of-life services that the command provides.
Retail Services Specialist 2nd Class Elvis Bempong was the first retail services specialist to report to NAVSUP FLC Bahrain Fleet Post Office onboard NSA Bahrain, which processes over 1.4 million pounds of mail annually through the Fleet Mail Center.
“The postal team at NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is a great crew with many years of experience,” said Bempong. “I have to step outside of my comfort zone, but I am eager to learn something new to support the fleet and to pass down the best knowledge to all the retail services specialists who will come after me.”
As the smallest supply enlisted rating with the longest advancement track, retail services specialists will have the opportunity to modernize and enhance their professional development with the redefined roles. This also allows the Navy to effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward, and retain more Sailors.
“I’m looking forward to achieving personal and professional goals with the command’s support. My career opportunities are expanding, which motivates me to stay committed to the Navy,” Bempong added.
“This addition of our new retail services specialists benefits everyone,” said Capt. Timothy Griffin, the commanding officer of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain. “The retail services specialists receive additional career and training opportunities, and our mission partners will continue to receive outstanding customer service. It is a win-win situation all the way around and we are excited to welcome them to the team.”
NAVSUP FLC Bahrain is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.
Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.