Supply Award Winners Announced

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The 30th annual Vice Adm. Robert F. Batchelder Award winners were announced by Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, U.S. Navy Chief of Supply Corps and commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), May 24.

Five Supply Corps officers were recognized with one Yokosuka based officer being recognized for his superior customer service.

Lt. Peter Rivera, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka, customer service officer, was recognized for his direct support of operating forces within the Asia Pacific region.

"Lt. Rivera is a proven performer who has excelled at NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka," said Capt. Marty Fields, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka commanding officer. "His leadership and meticulous, customer focused drive for excellence as the Customer Service Officer has been crucial to our mission accomplishment. He has made a name for himself in both the 7th and the 3rd Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR) as a premier logistician."

Rivera directly coordinates with Military Sealift Command (MSC), Combined Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor (FLCPH) for provisions and stores replenishments while also providing direct material support to Yokosuka home-ported waterfront ship supply officers.

"This award is really a reflection of my Sailors," said Rivera. "It is because they are doing their jobs day in and day out, processing millions of dollars of provisions."

Rivera carries his deployment experiences with him and understands there is no Walmart out at sea, so if a ship needs a dozen eggs, "We will be there."

"Moral is so important on these ships and if you do your job well you directly affect the warfighters moral," said Rivera. "By working with my shipmates and Sailors we were able to ensure that 7th Fleet Sailors were always ready, whether that meant they had their Snickers bars or Mt. Dew to on time delivery of their fresh fruits and vegetables."

Before the award, Rivera thought it was a very mythical achievement, having witnessed only the very best of the best within the Navy Supply Corps being honored.

"I've just been working with my guys trying to help the fleet as much as possible," said Rivera. "Looking back, I can say we did good."

The Navy League of the United States sponsors the annual Vice Adm. Robert F. Batchelder Award, named in memory of the former Inspector General of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts (now NAVSUP). The awards are presented for operational competence to individuals who have made the most significant personal contributions to the supply readiness of the operating forces.

Formal award presentations are tentatively scheduled for September in Norfolk, Va.

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