Sometimes solutions for finding better, more cost-efficient ways of doing business can be found in the most unlikely places.

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Puget Sound postal operations personnel inspected, weighed, and tagged 68 boxes of material for shipment to Guam in support of a submarine crew swap for the USS Ohio.

What made the evolution unusual was the truckload of boxes and their sensitive contents were sent via the United States Postal Service.

In the past, this type of material was transported via Air Mobility Command aircraft with couriers assigned to accompany the shipments.

Four years ago NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound postal operations personnel, responsible for getting the cargo moved from Bangor to Guam and back again, came up with a better idea in collaboration with the Submarine Group 9 supply officer.

"We were looking at our procedures as part of a continuous process improvement project, and realized that this material could be moved cheaper and more efficiently through the U.S. Mail," said Rick Buchart, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Northwest regional postal operations director.

Procedures for using USPS for delivery have been in place nearly four years, and have saved over $100,000 in mission funds used to support postal operations for the submarines deployed to Guam.

"This is a perfect example of how an organization actually improves on its service to the customer," said Capt. Tim Jett, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound commanding officer. "We tend to look for big, high-dollar initiatives, but in reality it's all about constantly making small improvements. If these small improvements are implemented frequently throughout every level of an organization, the time and cost savings add up significantly."

NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound officials pointed out the improved process for moving this material demonstrates the command's philosophy of incorporating the input of civilian and active duty staff in the CPI process.

"We save customers time and money because our people are out there every day serving our customers and making a difference," said Jett. "They are the ones that are constantly coming up with new ideas to save a few dollars or make a process faster and more efficient."

According to Buchart, the U.S. Postal Service's procedures for handling Express Overnight mail and Registered Mail are compatible with Navy Postal and Security regulations.

After each box is cleared through x-ray and inspected for package seal and integrity, postal personnel weigh each of the 68 boxes one at a time on a postal metering scale, and affix a printed postage decal to the outside like any other package.

Once processing at the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound postal facility is complete, the boxes are packed in aluminum "over the road" containers which are rolled back out to the loading dock and onto a semi-trailer for the next leg of the journey.

Next stop is the U.S. Postal Service Registered Mail Hub in Seattle, where the boxes are scanned then moved to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to be placed on an aircraft bound for Guam.

According to Buchart, the USPS postmaster in Silverdale, Washington, supplied the special OTR containers and special transportation requirements. Along with processing the shipment, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound postal personnel also trained USS Ohio personnel in properly preparing the materials for shipment.

The postage for the shipment was a little over $20,000 with the transportation, handling, and tracking all performed by the U.S. Postal Service. Before the new procedures, shipments involved arranging for space on an Air Mobility Command military aircraft and cutting temporary assigned duty (TAD) orders for military couriers to accompany the cargo on its journey across the Pacific Ocean.

Currently Buchart and his postal operations staff are once again conducting a formal review of their shipping procedures to look for other ways they can save time and mission funds while improving postal support for Bangor's submarine fleet.

"We continue to explore all avenues to lower postage costs for all Fleet and shore based customers in the Northwest AOR," said Buchart. "The NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Consolidated Mail Facility and Regional Postal Operations Division will exceed our customers' expectations."

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.

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