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America's Big Stick Wins 2nd straight Ney Award
Story Number: NNS030304-15
Release Date: 3/5/2003 3:43:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Jessica Benigni, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- For the second year in a row, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has won the Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for food service excellence in the Atlantic Fleet Aircraft Carrier category. This is the fourth Ney Award for Theodore Roosevelt.
“To get it once is prestigious,” said Chief Warrant Officer Paul Jones, TR food service officer. “This is the fourth win for Roosevelt. The first win was when TR was first commissioned.”
The Ney competition is a one-year competition among different categories of ships from submarines and “small boys,” to larger ships such as aircraft carriers, as well as shore commands. Inspectors arrive unannounced for the final four-hour evaluation.
TR's work schedule made this a difficult year on the mess management specialists. The year began with the last three months of a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, including part of its record-setting 159 straight days at sea.
After returning from deployment, the ship entered an arduous six-month planned incremental availability, then began a compressed training schedule toward an early deployment to again support Operation Enduring Freedom. All the while, TR's galley crew prepared meals 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the crew.
“They assess the entire food service operation from the standpoint of a diner. They look for food service excellence in sanitation, food production and presentation,” said Jones. “The standards and consistency we uphold 365 days a year, 24/7, are the keys to our success.”
“The competition this year was a bit stiffer because runner-up USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is a newer ship. It’s unheard of for a 16-year-old ship [Theodore Roosevelt] to win back-to-back,” said Master Chief Mess Specialist (SW) Roberta Jio, TR food service leading chief petty officer.
The Ney Award gives recognition to food service workers in the Navy who have reached a high level of excellence.
“It’s a coveted recognition in the community,” said Jones. “It’s always a high point to win.”
Jones has been a part of six Ney award-winning teams in his Navy career, two were with TR.
Mess Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jeffrey Loncto, a TR plankowner, is also a four-time TR Ney award winner. His first tour on TR began Nov. 4, 1985, fresh out of Mess Specialist “A” Schoo, and his second tour aboard TR began in May 2000.
“A back-to-back win is something I couldn’t have even imagined two years ago,” said Loncto. “It’s quite an accomplishment. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and attention to detail."
The inspectors also solicited crew members’ comments.
“That’s who we’re working for, the crew,” said Jio.
It takes an entire team effort to feed more than 5,000 Sailors every day. At three meals per day, plus “mid-rats,” the mess specialists serve more than 18,000 meals in a 24-hour period.
“Supply, S-2 and galley maintenance have done a great job in earning TR the Ney Award,” said Capt. Richard O’Hanlon, TR commanding officer.
The galley maintenance division maintains and repairs food service equipment so the mess specialists can do their job.
“The Ney Award is a direct representation of the amount of effort put into the job every day,” said Jones.
The Ney Award plaque presentation ceremony will be April 13 in Dallas, Texas. Two representatives from the ship will be flown there for the ceremony.
“The event will feature food service program briefs, classes by chefs, food concepts and practice cooking sessions in preparation for the formal, military black-tie dinner the last day,” said Jones.
TR's busy schedule placed it in a tough competitive position, according to Jio.
“It’s harder to stay on top than it is to get there,” said Jio. “TR is really a ship to be reckoned with right now.”
For related news, visit the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn71.
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