Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Civilian Morale, Welfare and Recreation (CMWR) team is preparing to introduce new and innovative ways to better serve the workforce. The CMWR mission has always been to provide quality programs, activities and facilities for food service. More importantly, CMWR makes these options conveniently available to civilian employees. The establishment of such services enhances command morale and promotes the general welfare of the workforce.

Cris Sigler, CMWR’s Business Operation Manager, whose passion is the culinary world, is very optimistic that the group is moving in the right direction when it comes to improving NNSY’s current food service facilities and creating new ones. She stated, “My ultimate goal is to provide clean and inviting places for the workforce. I want to provide quality food in a relaxing atmosphere. I want my locations to be a retreat for shipyard workers, a place they can take their well-deserved breaks.”

Providing an abundance of food selections is another goal CMWR strives to achieve. Soon it will open its newest location in Bldg. M-32, Gosport Café. There, you will find state-of-the-art cooking equipment, new cabinets, new point-of-sale systems and a fresh new food-court-style dining experience. CMWR is dedicated to updating its current locations with new equipment and increasing menu options. CMWR will be providing fresh food preparation and is looking to explore different directions for “grab-and-go” options, such as diverse home cooked style meal options and plant-based meal options to reach every taste and desire in the workforce.

Sigler stated, “The future of CMWR is in our ability to refresh and renovate our food services and locations. I want to increase the quality of food and improve our culinary abilities by having additional training for my staff and empowering them to be successful.”

CMWR will also be enhancing its facilities with inviting new artwork such as paintings and murals, new soup and salad bars where you can pay by the weight of your selection, and adding a “grab-and-go” self service option for employees that don’t have time to stop in for a “sit-down” breakfast or lunch.

In addition to dining facilities, CMWR continues to improve its vending program. There are currently 435 vending assets throughout the shipyard that have been upgraded and now accept credit cards. Additionally, CMWR has implemented the branding concept serving Starbucks coffee at the Four Flags Café and introduced a point-of-sale system in the shoe store that automatically ensures the shoe inventory is kept up to date and the variety of safety shoes the workforce needs are in stock.

CMWR also has the capability to cater holiday parties, retirements and other events. Its goal is to go above and beyond to support NNSY’s workforce. In return, CMWR requests NNSY employees’ business and feedback so services can continuously be improved. Sigler stated, “We have evolved and there is so much we can do to support you. Come visit and fill out a comment card, we always listen and want the feedback to meet all your expectations. I read every one!”

The CMWR team is making great strides in improving the quality of its services and becoming more efficient and convenient while doing it. These improvements are driven by a desire to enhance morale and promote the general well-being of the workforce. Ultimately NNSY’s employees will benefit from these innovative actions to improve.

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