Navy Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Bahrain completed the first in-class portion of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt certification course, Oct. 29.

Five students from the command attended the two week long course.
In addition to NAVSUP FLC Bahrain enlisted and civilian members, a civilian from the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Det. Bahrain also completed the program.

The involvement of FDRMC Det. Bahrain in the LSS Green Belt certification course emphasized the importance of NAVSUP FLC Bahrain's relationship with FDRMC Det. Bahrain, and how working cooperatively is a priority for both commands.

"What an honor to have been given the opportunity to participate in NAVSUP FLC Bahrain's Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification course," said Catherine Krakuszeski, FDRMC Det. Bahrain supervisor and inventory management specialist. "The instructor did an outstanding job of providing a wide array of tools to positively change and continuously improve the way NAVSUP FLC Bahrain and FDRMC Det. Bahrain work collaboratively to achieve cost effective and sustainable readiness in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR)."

Instructor and facilitator Steve Nguyen, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain continuous process improvement program lead, explained how LSS techniques and tools improve the quality of the output of a process by identifying and removing waste and causes of defects, minimizing the variability in business processes.

This means that LSS provided NAVSUP FLC Bahrain and FDRMC Det. Bahrain military and civilian employees the ability to identify and create more efficient, money saving processes for the command and in turn, increase opportunities for business and customer satisfaction.

"You can see the entire process from beginning to end and identify key areas for improvement while engaging with the other students in the class," said Master Chief Logistics Specialist John Murphy, senior enlisted leader, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain.

After the two week training was completed and the final test taken, students chose their final Green Belt project. Students worked on projects focused on areas such as customs clearance, uniform inventory, ship repair and shore contracting. Each student was able to choose processes that were of interest for improvement in their area of work.

"We have identified areas that need improvement and the Lean Six Sigma approach will certainly increase our effectiveness and give us a better product to serve our customers," said Gerald Bridgers, personal property director.

Students worked on their projects part-time under the guidance of Nguyen and their project supervisors within the command, who support and manage the student's LSS efforts.

"I look forward to working as a member of this team on projects where improvements can be made and we can continue to maintain an agile, able force meeting current readiness levels and continuing to support the warfighter," said Krakuszeski.

According to Nguyen, LSS is a top-down initiative where success in the program not only stems from command member involvement, but leadership involvement as well.

After earning the LSS Green Belt students continue on to earn the Black Belt, where there will be more opportunities to lead other projects and serve as a resource for improvements around the command.

"It is a continual learning process," said Nguyen. "It encourages command members to be aware of the processes going on around the command, and to think critically about improvements that can be made not only for the benefit of the command team, but ultimately for our customers."

NAVSUP FLC Bahrain has more than 160 military and civilian personnel providing logistics support in the 5th Fleet AOR. The command is one of eight fleet logistics centers worldwide in the NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS) enterprise. 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.

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