Ike’s S-3 Division Receives “Best of Class” Designation

The Supply Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) received the Atlantic Fleet “Best of Class” designation for the 2006 Ship’s Store Retail and Service Excellence Award on March 23. The “Best of Class” designation signifies a superior level of service beyond the normal service provided on other ships in Ike’s class. The designation is a culmination of a year’s worth of accomplishment by S-3 Division.

“This award really is a testament to all of the hard work everyone in S-3 Division displays on a daily basis,” said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Lask, Ike’s principal assistant for services. “They are truly committed to providing everyone aboard Ike with the best service they can.” The designation meant success by S-3 from top to bottom. “We achieved excellence in all facets of what S-3 does,” said Senior Chief Ship’s Serviceman (SW/AW) Steven Robinson, S-3 Division leading chief petty officer. “Our barber shop performed, laundry, the retail side, our vending; everyone excelled.” S-3 Division not only had to perform their jobs, keeping the shelves stocked and laundry clean, but had to maintain a connection with their customer base.

“Once you get nominated, inspectors come aboard to take surveys from the crew,” said Robinson. “Those surveys played a big role. We could have the best S-3 Division in the world, but if we don’t provide day-in, day-out customer service, we wouldn’t have won.” It also evaluated other aspects of S-3 Division, besides the Ship’s Store. The barber shop, ship’s laundry and vending services all put up outstanding numbers, operating throughout the year with few setbacks. “This deployment, the barber shop has given 25,000 haircuts, ship’s laundry has washed more than 700,000 pounds of bulk laundry, and we average 4,720 cans of soda per day,” said Robinson. S-3 Division continues to charge ahead, vying to maintain their level of excellence. “During this deployment, we’ve received $1.5 million in stock via underway replenishment,” said Robinson. “We left Norfolk with $2 million in inventory and to date we’ve generated $2.7 million in sales. All the profit is going to MWR and back to the Sailors.” This has resulted in hard work for the Sailors responsible with keeping the shelves stocked and the vending machines full. “Every morning and every evening after quarters we do break outs,” said Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Rachel Dunbar. “It’s an all-hands evolution; everyone in the division pitches in.”

Being designated as the best amongst their peers hasn’t stopped S-3 Division from continuing to strive for excellence. “The simple fact of the matter is if you keep buying it, we’ll keep stocking it,” said Robinson. Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which includes its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 7, and embarked Destroyer Squadron 28; guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Mason (DDG 87). The Ike CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 3, for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs