USS RONALD REAGAN HOST COMMITTEE ANNOUNCE GALA EVENT

Navy League of The United States - Santa Barbara Chapter

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Ronald Reagan’s Supply Department
Sweeps Three Major Awards

FOR RELEASE: 5/11/2007

From USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, Coronado, CA -- The Supply Department aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has been named the recipient of three major awards in recent months, setting a new benchmark for all aircraft carriers in the fleet.

The officers and crew of Ronald Reagan are celebrating after being named the recipients of the Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for Excellence in Food Service, the Blue “E” award for excellence in supply operations, and the “Best in Class” Ship’s Store Retail and Services Excellence Award for aircraft carriers.

“It's a tremendous morale booster. It's one thing to receive positive feedback from your customers for a job well done, but to be recognized by your peers at a Navy-wide level, well, that's an entirely different ballgame,” said Cmdr. David Pimpo, Ronald Reagan’s Supply Officer.

“It is a humbling experience to say the least. Our motto in Supply Department is, ‘Establishing a Tradition of Excellence’," added Pimpo. “Well, Ronald Reagan is all about excellence, and we are proud to be doing our part in Supply Department.”

Pimpo said he credits teamwork for the success of the entire Supply Department on a daily basis, not just for the recent awards.

“Because all of us live the phrase ‘one team, one fight,’ Ronald Reagan Sailors believe in one another and want to see each other succeed,” said Pimpo. “The cooperation and teamwork that I see across departments and up and down the chain-of-command is impressive and makes me proud to serve here. This is a very special command.”

Pimpo said winning the Ney Award was a direct reflection on the hard working culinary specialist on board Ronald Reagan. “Our culinary specialists make me proud everyday,” said Pimpo. “They are not satisfied until the entire crew is satisfied.”

“The Ney Award is for the best of the best,” said Chief Warrant Officer William Duka, food service officer aboard Ronald Reagan. “The evaluators look for quality of the food, customer service, record keeping, and management. When all of the points were tallied, Ronald Reagan came out on top.”

Ronald Reagan was named this year’s winner of the aircraft carrier category, edging out USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for top honors in the yearly competition.

The culinary specialists on board Ronald Reagan take great pride in winning the Ney award.

“Winning the Ney Award is a big accomplishment for the entire Supply Department,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Braden Pollack, who works as the wardroom supervisor. “It shows all that all the CSs can work together to provide quality meals to the crew.”

The “Best in Class” Award for CV/CVN retail operations award in the Pacific Fleet was announced March 22 as Ronald Reagan continued on its surge deployment to support operations in the Western Pacific.

“This tells the world what I already knew--that our ship’s servicemen are the best in the fleet,” said Pimpo. “I’m very proud of them. We’ve got a great group of folks who are just selfless in their dedication to, not only their profession, but certainly to the crew. They take a lot of pride in what they do.”

The Sailors who work in retail operations said they were surprised but pleased to be recognized by the award.

“We all came together as a team,” said Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Vanessa Marin, a ship’s store clerk. “To be a part of [winning the award] made me feel pretty good.”

Marin’s supervisor also shared her sentiments on winning the award.

“We had to come together and work long hours, but it was worth it,” said Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class (SW/AW) Brandon Brooks, a ship’s store supervisor. “I mean, to be the best carrier on the Pacific coast, the best S-3 division on the Pacific coast; it can’t get any better than that. It was definitely worth it.”

Despite their unparalleled success, Pimpo says there is always room for improvement.

“We want to continue getting better at what we do. There are always areas where we can improve and it's important that we improve our current standards while focusing on the areas that need additional attention,” said Pimpo. “With sea time getting longer and OPTEMPO [Operational Tempo] increasing, it's paramount that we continue improving the quality of life or our Sailors afloat. They deserve nothing less from us.”

“President Reagan once said, ‘There is no limit to what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit;’ that team approach is what makes me so proud,” added Pimpo. “The selfless pursuit of customer satisfaction is impressive to watch. Everyone jumps in to get the job done, regardless of rate or rating.”

“We are focused on making a positive impact on our ship and our shipmates. We take a lot of pride in wearing the Ronald Reagan name on our ball caps,” said Pimpo.

Ronald Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth and newest Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for the 40th U.S. president; its motto, “Peace through Strength,” was a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency. The ship returned April 20 following a three-month surge deployment in support operations in the Western Pacific.

Ronald Reagan is currently undergoing a planned incremental availability in her homeport of San Diego.

For related news, visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76/