Navy Supply Corps officers from throughout the Pacific Northwest gathered at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor March 10 for a day of mentoring and professional development at the 2017 Northwest Junior Officer Training Symposium (JOTS).

This year's JOTS was hosted by Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Puget Sound. The annual event explores career development and professional challenges, and is a venue for junior officers to interact with senior officers, operational leadership, and peers. This year's seminar focused on such topics as available career tracks within the Supply Corps; options for operational service; retirement; promotion boards; administrative skills; and what is expected of a Supply Corps officer at sea. The purpose of JOTS is to allow officers to take some time out and take a closer look at their Navy career.

"Service members often get so focused on the short term that they lose sight of the big picture," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Allen, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound acting executive officer and organizer for the event. "The career symposiums are held annually to give supply officers a chance to pause from their operational commitments and focus on their careers."

This year 48 Active and Reserve officers attended the symposium from several regional shore and sea commands. Along with the junior officers, senior officers were also on hand, sharing their own personal experiences through formal briefs and establishing professional connections with their Supply Corps counterparts.

"The symposium provided the right mix of information download and peer networking, and it was very well received," said Allen.

The event's guest speaker was Rear Adm. John Tammen, Commander, Submarine Group Nine. During his brief, Tammen discussed the Chief of Naval Operations' latest themes and initiatives to carry the Navy into the future, and touched on how important it is in today's operational environment for a Supply Officer to step up and get involved with more than logistics, especially at sea.

"Submarine forces absolutely use a 'SUPPO' for more than logistics," said Tammen. "Watch and warfare qualifications give officers more confidence and a clearer understanding of what the commanding officer wants from them."

Coincidentally, officer detailers from Navy Personnel Command visited the region a few days prior to JOTS. Along with attending the 'Road Show' briefs, they also had the opportunity meet their detailers in person for a one-on-one meeting, for some the first time in their careers. With the detailer visit happening earlier in the week, many of the JOTS attendees were able to spend time both talking with professional career planners as well as getting personal perspectives from more senior officers who had experienced different types of duty.

"The point this symposium is to give us ideas for the future-there are many routes a Supply Officer can take to have a successful career," said Lt. j.g. Heather Ireland, a Supply Corps officer currently serving at the NAS Whidbey Island Aviation Supply Department. "It's beneficial to connect with leadership to learn what I can do and what I should do... It gives us options for the future,"

"It's important that junior officers have the knowledge they need to make solid career decisions," said Capt. Philippe Grandjean, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound commanding officer. "As senior leaders it's our responsibility to provide the mentorship they need to be successful. Through JOTS we are building the future of the Navy and the Supply Corps."

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, provides operational logistics, business and support services to Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Products and services include contracting, fuels, global logistics, hazardous material management, household goods, integrated logistics support, material management, postal, regional transportation and warehousing.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 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.


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For news and information about NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/navsupflcps or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navsupflcps.