The Supply Corps of the United States Navy, one of the oldest staff corps in the Navy, traces its beginings to February of 1795 when the nation's first Purveyor of Public Supplies, Tench Francis, Jr. , was appointed. Supply Corps officers are concerned with supply and fiscal issues. The official motto of the Supply Corps is "Ready for Sea," reflecting Supply's longstanding role in supporting the war-fighter.
These commissioned officers are schooled and experienced in a variety of disciplines such as inventory control, food service, disbursement, financial management, contracting, information systems, operations analysis, material and operational logistics, fuels management, and physical distribution.
Supply Corps officers can be members of the Supply Department of a wide range of Navy units, or can be billeted to Supply units -- such as those of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force , or NAVELSF. While Supply Corps officers are not eligible for command at sea, which is the province of certain officers of the Unrestricted Line, they can command Supply units. A Supply Corps officer is always the Commanding Officer of a Naval Cargo Handling Battalion -- groups charged with stevedoring and logistics whose constituent companies are led by both Supply Corps and Civil Engineering Corps officers -- for instance.
Supply Corps officers are nicknamed "pork chops" or simply "chops" for the resemblance their distinctive oak leaf insignia is said to bear to that dish. These officers attend the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia. The school was first opened in Washington, D.C. in 1921. It moved to its present location in 1954. Supply Corps officers are sometimes called "SUPPOS" which many believe to be incorrect nomenclature except when referring to those Supply Corps officers who hold a Supply Officer billet (Supply Officer is a specific role which a Supply Corps officer may fill; there are many other positions open to Supply Corps officers). Among the enlisted ratings that comprise the Supply Community are SHs (Ship's Servicemen) who assist Supply Officers in managing shipboard retail and service activities; SKs (Storekeepers) who assist Supply Officers in managing inventories of parts and supplies; DKs (Disbursing Clerks -- who recently merged with the Personnelman rating) who assist with the disbursment of funds; and PCs (Postal Clerks), who assist in the management of fleet postal activities).
Supply Corps Officers can earn one or more of three supply badges, the Naval Aviation Supply Officer Badge, the Surface Warfare Supply Badge and the Submarine Supply Corps Badge and Supply Corps Officers billeted to SeaBee units are also eligible to earn the Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (officer) pin.
As of 2005, Rear Admiral Daniel H. Stone , appointed in July, 2004, is the 43rd Chief of the Supply Corps. Also as of 2005 Vice Admiral Keith W. Lippert , head of the Defense Logistics Agency is the highest-ranking Supply Corps officer.
