Two Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk officers were selected for the highly competitive NAVSUP Internship Program according to an Oct. 16 announcement.

NAVSUP Commander and Chief of the Supply Corps Rear Adm. Jonathan Yuen announced that 19 junior officers, including Lt. Matthew Wilkins and Lt. Brett Jacobs of NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, were selected for an internship in one of nine fields. They were also the only selectees from any of the eight FLCs.

The Supply Corps internships are offered twice a year, in the spring and fall. Less than half of the applicants who applied in the fall cycle were selected. The program provides an excellent opportunity for junior officers to explore major Supply Corps policy arenas while gaining on the job training in a functional sub-specialty.

The acquisition internship programs are available to outstanding junior Supply Corps officers include: Business/Enterprise Supply Chain Management, Business/Financial Management, Joint Operational Logistics, Navy Acquisition Contracting, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Naval Special Warfare, Planner, Petroleum, and Transportation.

Wilkins, who has been in the Navy for almost five years, was selected for a Petroleum internship. He hopes to begin an assignment next year as a fuel intern with NAVSUP FLC Norfolk at Craney Island in Portsmouth, Va.

Jacobs, who has been in the Navy for almost four years, was selected for a Navy Acquisition Contracting (NACO) internship. He hopes to begin an assignment next year as a NACO intern at NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support in Philadelphia, Pa.

Wilkins, a graduate of Baylor University and a Texas native, has family ties in the gas and petroleum industry. That helped steer him towards applying for the Petroleum internship.

"I wanted to be involved in a field that touches every facet of not only Navy life, but life in general," explained Wilkins. "Almost everything we do in life involves petroleum in some way, and it's something that I'm familiar with, so I look forward to this next phase of my career."

Jacobs graduated from Pennsylvania's Bloomsburg University. As a finance major, the contracting field is a natural fit for him.

"I've had an opportunity to support some of the work our Contracting Department has done with husbanding contracts that support ships during port visits," said Jacobs. "I look forward to pursuing more opportunities in the contracting field."

Wilkins and Jacobs both cited the importance of networking and having good mentors to help them achieve their goal of successfully applying for their internships.

"I was blown away by the fact that Navy captains were willing to clear their calendars just to meet with me," said Wilkins. "Having that kind of support from the leadership at my command really made me feel like a valuable member of the Supply community."

Jacobs added that it's important to take advantage of all of the mentorship opportunities available. "I was very fortunate to have here not only active duty senior officers who made themselves available to me, but retired senior officers who also offered valuable advice and guidance."

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides operational logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands with 37 separate locations in three Navy regions. Connect with NAVSUP FLC Norfolk at https://www.facebook.com/NAVSUP-Fleet-Logistics-Center-Norfolk-1434046346807412/timeline/.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

Visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news for more NAVSUP GLS news. Connect with NAVSUP GLS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.