CHAPTER 14 SUPPLY
INTRODUCTION
The responsibility of accounting for assets within the Department of the Navy comes down from the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) to the commanding officers of field activities throughout the Navy. Commanding officers must ensure proper fiscal administration by the directives, principles, and policies prescribed by the Comptroller of the Navy.
The Naval Supply Systems Command is responsible for administering supply management policies, to include cataloging, standardization, inventory control, storage, issue, and disposal of naval material. You, as a medical supply person, must be familiar with the methods of procuring and accounting for naval materials.
In this chapter the proper procedures to use in estimating supply needs, procuring supplies and material, and accounting for supplies and operating funds will be discussed. The last section of the chapter deals with contingency supply blocks and their maintenance.
MANUALS, PUBLICATIONS, AND DIRECTIVES
To function well in the Navy supply system, you must be familiar with the NAVSUP publications that deal with the different areas of supply. Some of these publications that are of particular interest are described below.
NAVSUP Manual. The Naval Supply Systems Command Manual is designed to institute standardized supply procedures. At present there are four volumes in the NAVSUP Manual:
Volume I—Introduction to Supply
Volume II—Supply Ashore
Volume III—Retail Clothing Stores and Commissary Stores
Volume IV—Transportation of Property
NAVSUP P-437, Operating Procedures Manual for Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures and the Military Standard Transaction Reporting and Accounting Procedure (MILSTRIP/MILSTRAP). This publication issues policy on the MILSTRIP/MILSTRAP system. It takes precedence over conflicting provisions contained in other supply system manuals or directives. The manual consists of 11 chapters and several appendices and exhibits. It covers system management, requisitioning ashore, inventory control, financial matters, and other topics. The publication provides forms, formats, and codes, and it serves as a comprehensive ready reference for those involved in preparing or processing MILSTRIP documents.
NAVSUP P-437 is not distributed afloat. NAVSUP P-409, MILSTRIP/MILSTRAP Desk Guide. Since NAVSUP P-437 is a large comprehensive three-volume publication, NAVSUP P-409 was published as a handy reference for personnel responsible for originating and processing MILSTRIP/MILSTRAP documents. This small booklet contains common definitions used on a day-to-day basis. Blank space is provided for entering commonly used routing identifier, fund, project, and locally assigned codes.
NAVSUPINST 4235.3, Fleet Use of MILSTRIP. This instruction serves the same purpose as NAVSUP P-409, but for fleet personnel. In addition, it is designed to indoctrinate and train fleet personnel in the use of the MILSTRIP system. It is larger than the desk guide and contains illustrations and explanations.
NAVSUP P-485, Afloat Supply Procedures. This publication establishes policies for operating and managing afloat supply departments and activities. The procedures contained in this publication are the minimum essential to acceptable supply management and are mandatory unless specifically stated as being optional.
Although this publication is designed primarily for nonautomated supply procedures, much of the information it contains also applies to automated systems.
COMNAVMEDMATSUPPCOM NOTE 6700, Naval Medical and Dental Material Bulletin. This publication is issued monthly by the Commander, Naval Medical Material Supply Command. It contains information of importance and interest to medical supply departments such as changes in stock numbers, addition and deletions, availability of excess equipment, and notification
