Last Updated on March 4, 2024
The Navy Supply Corps School, in Rhode Island, provides the initial and refresher training of junior officers in the Navy Supply Corps. The school also offers specialized training programs for supply officers throughout their career.
With a rich history and a wide range of shore and afloat supply management and retail operations knowledge, the Navy Supply Corps School prepares newly commissioned officers to take on entry-level positions within the afloat supply department and senior roles such as department head, division officer, and limited duty officer.
The training at the Navy Supply Corps School prepares supply officers to work in expeditionary logistics in operational environments, both domestic and international.
History of the Navy Supply Corps School
The Navy Supply Corps School was founded in 1955. It trains supply corps officers in the U.S. Navy. It’s called the “Cradle of the Supply Corps” for its contributions to the Navy community.
The School prepares officers for entry-level positions and offers specialized training for limited duty officers, department heads, and division officers.
It provides career-long training to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge for efficient duty performance.
The School, initially established in Athens, Georgia, impacted the local economy through job opportunities and defense spending. It trained active-duty supply corps officers in the U.S. Navy.
The Navy Supply Corps School moved to Newport, Rhode Island in 2018. The new location offers a variety of amenities for the students, including modern classrooms and a state-of-the-art learning facility.
The Navy Supply Corps School’s legacy has had a significant impact on the Navy by educating and training officers for optimal service.
This school is well-known within the Navy community and has played a crucial role in preparing officers for entry-level positions and providing specialized training programs for efficient supply corps operations.
Supply Corps Training
The Navy Supply Corps School trains naval officers for Supply Corps assignments. Training includes classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and discussions.
Officers are prepared for operational environments like afloat supply departments and aviation supply material maintenance. The comprehensive training covers supply management, retail operations, hazardous material transportation, and public supplies.
Officers also learn about the history and traditions of the supply corps. The program is rigorous and ensures officers are well-equipped for their assignments.
The courses cover various areas of study, including initial and refresher training, hazardous material transportation, and expeditionary logistics.
The school aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become effective supply officers, focusing on supply management, retail operations, and afloat supply department principles.
It also offers leadership and management skills courses for junior officers and specialized training programs for limited duty officers.
Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) offers courses at the Navy Supply Corps School to supplement its coursework. These courses cover various shore and afloat supply management topics.
Some of them include aviation supply material maintenance and joint aviation supply material management. Other courses available at the school include the Pre-Commissioning Supply Officer (PCSO) and Public Supplies.
The Navy Supply Corps School prepares students for a successful career in the navy supply corps, providing initial training, hazardous material transportation, and expeditionary logistics courses.
Junior Officers and Entry-Level Positions
Junior officers and entry-level positions in the Navy Supply Corps are crucial to the organization’s success.
They manage supply activities for Navy ships and units to ensure all personnel have the equipment and supplies.
New Supply Corps officers oversee “back office” functions, managing logistics and inventory of food, fuel, and repair parts. Timely and efficient resupply is vital to readiness and mission success.
To prepare for leadership, the Division Officer Leadership Course (DOLC) is offered at the Navy Supply Corps School. The course teaches skills for success as a first-time leader in a division with 10-100 enlisted sailors.
The course covers important leadership concepts: competition, collaboration, time management, and functional administration.
Competition and collaboration teach teamwork, and individual competition, while time management teaches prioritization.
Functional administration covers accounting, procurement, and inventory. Entry-level Navy Supply Corps positions are challenging, but rewarding.
They involve managing sailors’ supply needs in an operational environment, requiring excellent management skills. Junior and new officers have critical responsibilities for mission success, making these roles essential.
Refresher Training for Experienced Personnel
Experienced Supply Corps officers can undergo refresher training to stay up-to-date with Navy logistics practices and policies.
This training covers subjects such as aviation supply material maintenance and joint aviation supply material.
It includes traditional coursework, as well as practical exercises that simulate operational environments.
These exercises test problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability skills. By staying current through refresher training, officers provide the highest level of service to the Navy.
Curriculum at Navy Supply Corps School
The Navy Supply Corps School provides training to officers in the United States Navy for various shore and afloat supply positions, ranging from entry-level to department head and division officer roles.
Overall, the curriculum aims to equip officers with the skills and knowledge for their careers. Additionally, it provides specialized training programs for staff and Joint Staff assignments.
Supply Corps Officer Basic Qualification Course (BQC) and Division Officer Leadership Course (DIVOLC)
The Supply System on a ship is taught in the Basic Qualification Course (BQC). The course covers supply management, food service, retail operations, disbursing management, leadership, and personnel administration.
Students practice completing and posting forms and files, auditing, and correcting problems. The course also covers automated data processing systems like R-Supply and OMMS-NG.
The 20-week course prepares newly commissioned Supply Corps officers and other officers for their professional duties.
It provides detailed technical instruction and encourages friendly attitudes and characteristics.
BQC students at NSCS must complete a week-long Division Officer Leadership Course. This course teaches junior officers skills necessary for being effective first-time leaders in an operational environment.
The curriculum covers scenarios from the first day of reporting on board to the first nine months.
Students will engage in role-playing, discussion, and interactive videos to learn about leadership dilemmas.
Principles of leadership addressed include competition and collaboration in an enlisted work center, building working relationships with the Chain of Command, time management, and functional administration.
Basic Qualification Course—Navy Reserves (BQC-NR)
The Navy Reserve offers the Basic Qualification Course (BQC-NR) to train reserve Direct Commissioning Program Commissioning Officers (DCO) and NAVET redesignation.
The course teaches fundamental, technical, and managerial knowledge of effective Supply Corps officer function within the Navy Reserve.
The BQC-NR takes 15 months and includes on-site training and self-paced correspondence work. Students must attend all on-site training periods to graduate.
The curriculum covers Supply Management (SM), Food Service (FS), Disbursing Management (DM), Retail Operations (RO), and Leadership and Management (LM).
Passing all elements of the BQC-NR is mandatory, with a minimum score of 80% for each functional area and an overall course average of 80%.
Intermediate Leadership Course (ILC)
This five-day course aims to train Supply Officers who will relieve afloat in a Department Head capacity.
It covers ten modules that aim to shift the mindset of the students from being a functional Division Officer to a proactive and global thinking Department Head.
The course focuses on developing the skill sets to effectively assist and act as liaisons in the Chain of Command for their Commanding Officer.
Students will discuss their career challenges and learn about leadership principles like competition, collaboration, expectations management, non-reactive leadership, command climate, project and systems management, and developing junior officers.
Transportation of Hazardous Materials (TRANS HAZMAT)
This course offers formal training necessary for obtaining command-approved certification to handle hazardous materials for shipment through various modes of transportation.
It covers an extensive overview of hazardous material transportation through motor, rail, and water, as well as a thorough review of the requirements for commercial and military air transportation.
The course covers the responsibilities and duties of the Department of Transportation, Defense Transportation System, and commercial carriers regarding transporting hazardous materials.
It also covers relevant regulations at national, state, and local levels, as well as proper storage, handling, packaging, marking, labeling, and placarding of hazardous materials.
Students will learn to use the applicable codes and regulations for documentation, forms, labels, marking, placarding, and inspections.
To get qualification credit for the course, you must pass all three module examinations covering regulatory publication.
Passing each exam is necessary to stay enrolled in the course. Your qualification will last for twenty-four months, then you’ll need extra certification or recertification.
This course is highly technical and requires an average reading ability. The course is open to uniformed armed forces personnel, DOD civil service personnel, and eligible DOD civilian contractors (with approval).
The course is intended for those who need to certify hazardous materials for shipment.
Transportation of Hazardous Materials Recertification (TRANS HAZ MAT RECERT)
The Transportation of Hazardous Materials Recertification Course re-qualifies students to certify hazardous materials for shipment.
To qualify, students must have completed the Hazardous Materials Course or the equivalent within the past two years.
The course covers transportation by motor, rail, and water, as well as commercial/military air requirements.
Graduation credit is earned by passing the final exam, and the qualification is valid for two years.
Retraining is required after the two-year period. Reading ability at an average level is required because of the course’s technical nature.
Transportation managers must follow federal guidelines for safety, awareness, function requirements, and security.
This course covers necessary regulations under Title 49 CFR, Title 29 CFR, and DTR. It is crucial training for managers overseeing hazardous materials, substances, and wastes transportation.
Graduates can develop or evaluate local training resources and identify personnel needing federally mandated biannual HAZMAT training.
All HAZMAT employees need training every 24 months, and trainers should attend this course every two years to stay current.
Joint Aviation Supply and Maintenance Material Management (JASMMM)
JASMMM class improves aircraft readiness through teamwork. It develops skills in aviation support procedures and creates mutual awareness between maintenance and supply personnel for optimal weapon system support.
This class is the Navy’s only source of aviation logistics training for Supply Officers, emphasizing firm lines of communication between maintenance and supply. Case studies and practical exercises enhance support of NAE initiatives.
The following topics are covered but are not limited to:
- Inventory management
- Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) initiatives
- All levels of maintenance influencing Flight-Line Operations
- AVCAL processing allowancing
- Advanced management / leadership techniques of NAMP fundamentals
- All levels of training
Commanding Officers Joint Aviation Supply and Material Management (COJASMMM-MTT)
Developed to train and guide future commanding and executive officers in aviation, PCOs, and PXOs, COJASMMM is included in the Aviation Commanding Officer Training (AVCOT) curriculum at NAVAVSCOLSOM in Pensacola, Florida.
The purpose of the course is to develop awareness at the executive level of aviation supply and maintenance material management concepts, policies, and procedures to improve aircraft readiness.
Topics covered in the course include teamwork of the maintenance and supply personnel, NAMP management, Aviation Maintenance trends, problem areas, aviation funding, AVCAL allowancing, and local material support procedures.
Reserve Supply Management Advanced Refresher Training (RESMART)
This training is for Navy Reserve Logistics Specialists (LS) in afloat Supply Management procedures. RESMART covers the latest LS occupational standards and is equivalent to Logistics Specialist “A” and “C” schools.
Students must be proficient in manual and automated supply processes.
The course includes lecture/discussion and practical exercises. The primary text is NAVSUP P-485, provided by the instructor.
Students must also give a 20-minute presentation on a supply management topic assigned by the instructor.
This builds personal confidence and presentation skills for future training in their reserve units.
Introduction to Expeditionary Logistics (IEL)
The course Expeditionary Logistics (IEL) summarizes joint planning and logistics in an expeditionary environment.
Topics covered include Unified Commands, Naval Logistics, Joint Operational Planning, Advanced Base Logistics, Foreign Humanitarian Assistance, Host Nation Support and an overview of the Navy’s Expeditionary commands.
This course is a two-week seminar for Officers and Senior Enlisted (E-6 or above) from the active and reserve components, other services, and foreign military.
The course includes guest speakers as subject matter experts and a final group exercise to show knowledge of the lectures.
Supply Officer Department Head Course (SODHC)
The Supply Officer Department Head Course (SODHC) is a four-week training for ensigns through lieutenant commanders. The course prepares them for the duties of a Supply Officer on a ship or submarine.
SODHC covers training in Supply Management, Food Service, Retail Operations, Disbursing Management, and Postal Operations.
Technical functions are also included, such as Small Afloat Purchasing, user certification for the government commercial purchase card program, Configuration Management, Hazardous Materials Management, Off-Ship Bill Pay, Husbanding Service provider processes, and Submarine-specific Supply Functions.
Automated Information Systems training is also provided in R-Supply, OMMS-NG, FSM, CMP, and FEDLOG. SODHC focuses on current fleet trends and technical developments, as well as developing effective managerial skills to meet the challenging “at sea” environment.
Senior Supply Officer Department Head (SR SODHC)
The SODHC course prepares Senior Supply Corps Officers to return to sea as department heads.
It lasts eight days and covers topics such as leadership, ethics, inventory, and financial management, food service, retail operations, disbursing management, postal operations, and hazardous material management.
Guest speakers include briefers from throughout the fleet and civilians.
Before attending the course in Newport, prospective SR SODHC students should communicate with the Supply Officer they will relieve and TYCOM.
They should also gather reports and information from their future command, such as the CO’s Monthly Report and Annual Financial Management Plan, to review real-world examples as they learn.
Advanced Management Program (AMP)
The Advanced Management Program (AMP) uses executive coaching and collaborative education to teach senior executives business acumen and leadership skills.
The program aims to help executives manage and drive organizational change.
After finishing the course, students will use industry tools and practices to assess their organizations’ global environment.
AMP encourages initiative, innovation, and improvisation for better decision-making.
Students leave with fresh insights and peer-networking to create better organizational cultures and long-term growth.
Non-U.S., non-native English-speaking officers funded for training from IMET or FMS programs need an 80 ECL score to attend.
This program is available four times per year and can accommodate up to 35 students. Tuition costs vary depending on the number of students, with an average range of $1,800 – $2,500.
To enroll, military personnel should contact their Training Department, civilians should contact their HR Training Department, and DLA participants should reach out to their Executive Development and Professional Enhancement Program Manager.
International Officer Supply Course (IOSCO)
The course helps international customers understand Department of Defense web-based logistics systems and FMS requisitioning procedures and all aspects of the Security Cooperation Information Portal (SCIP).
Students learn about FEDLOG, Asset Visibility of DLA stock levels, Item Managers notes, requisition status, and detailed shipping information. Logistics Supply Chain is discussed, which involves identifying, locating, ordering, and tracking assets.
The course also summarizes Acquisition Logistics, Allowance Models, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), and Fleet Logistic Center (FLC) and Weapons System Support (WSS) operations.
Specific allowance determination for FMS customers is discussed, including ship transfer and shipyard procedures. Students work with their country’s real-time data to show methods used to improve logistics support.
After six weeks of classroom instruction, students go on a three-week tour of U.S. and Navy logistics centers to reinforce theory and practices learned in the classroom.
The tour includes visits to NAVSUP/WSS International Programs Directorate, Philadelphia, DLA Susquehanna facility, NAVSUP FLC, and various diverse supply organizations in the Norfolk, Virginia, area.
A Field Studies Program includes visits to Newport, Boston, Providence, New York City, Washington, D.C., and other sites. Students return to Newport for graduation and departure.
This course is offered twice a year and is only for international officers in grades O-1 to O-4. Waivers are available for civilian students.
The course teaches students about the organizational structure of the U.S. Government, U.S. Navy, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and their relationship to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) processes.
International Logistics Executive Advanced Development (ILEAD)
The ILEAD course is seven weeks long and open to Senior International Officers at grade O5 and above. Waivers are available.
The course is taught once a year and aims to provide a military perspective on current trends in logistics and supply chain management.
The first part of the course is the Advanced Management Program (AMP). The AMP course is a 14-day executive leadership program intended for CDRs and GS-13/14’s.
It covers a range of management skills used by industry and DoD, including transformation, supply chain management, and lean six-sigma.
Taught by university professors from leading business schools, AMP is a post-MBA level course. During the program, students will collaborate with U.S. personnel and complete group projects.
On the last day, they will present their findings to a panel of Flag Officers.
After two weeks of AMP, students will visit Navy commands in the U.S. They will see logistics initiatives and projects being worked on by the Department of Defense and U.S. Navy.
Events will help them better understand American society and culture. MASL cost includes all travel. An 80 ECL score is required for the class.
More Information
If you want more information about becoming a Supply Corps Officer, the next logical step is to contact a Naval Officer Recruiter.
Let us figure out how you can benefit from becoming a Navy Supply Officer—or if it is even a right fit for you.
Here is the contact information for the Supply Corps School:
U.S. Navy Supply Corps School
1378 Porter Ave.
Naval Station Newport
Newport, RI 02841
(601) 479-5775
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