Other Peoples Money in the N4 Shop ... and Priorities

Where does one start? Well - let's do that with a quote from last week from Admiral Mullen, USN.

"We all have to recognize that we have to cinch up our belts, and we haven't done that in a decade," he said of military spending.

I want you to read the below email with a pen an paper ready (Marines may want to use a pencil).

Add up what has already been spent on the professional Onanism, and then add in the not-too-subtle D&G from N41.

For those who have deployed in theater recently and could not get the Navy supply system to do even basic uniform support to the point you had to borrow from others or have family purchase and mail to you (yes me); ponder that money.

Also ponder the upper pay-grade cost per hour in the To:/CC: lines.

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-----Original Message-----

From: Dussault, Kathleen M RADM OPNAV, N41

Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 10:55

To: '[redacted], Jonathan D SES'; [redacted], Robert CAPT OPNAV N42, OPNAV N42B; [redacted], Timothy S RDML OPNAV N43; [redacted], Vince J SES OPNAV, N43; [redacted], Will A CDR OPNAV, N43; [redacted], Philip H RADM OPNAV, N45; [redacted], John P SES OPNAV, N45B; [redacted], Jason H CIV OPNAV; [redacted], David M RDML OPNAV, N46; [redacted], Robert A CAPT OPNAV N46, OPNAV N46B

Cc: [redacted], Peter M CAPT OPNAV, N4; [redacted], Aimee B CIV OPNAV, N415; [redacted], Robert CAPT OPNAV N41 CoS; [redacted], Ronald K CAPT OPNAV N41, N413; [redacted], Babak A LCDR OPNAV, N41; [redacted], Greg C LCDR, OPNAV N4, N4A2

Subject: OPNAV N4 2nd Deck E-Ring Passageway Exhibit/Display Request

Good Morning,

Now that we can call the Pentagon our "home," and to brand our E-Ring passageway with the symbols and displays that capture the essence of our contributions to the Navy and Department of Defense, CAPT Ron [redacted] has officially requested permission (via DON/AA-Mr. John [redacted]) to the DoN Corridor Committee to install three exhibits along the E-Ring bulkhead.

Location: 2nd Deck, E-Ring from Corridors 2 to 2.5 Exhibit 1: Between 2E284 (N41) and 2E274 (N42/N46) Exhibit 2: Between 2E274 (N42/N46) and 2E268 (N43) Exhibit 3: Between 2E268 (N43) and 2E258 (N45)

Because the DoN Corridor Committee is new and still trying to determine how they plan to proceed, there is a moratorium on all new displays/exhibits (previous approved requests were grandfathered). However, since the request has been submitted, upon approval, we can proceed with due diligence to install and present quality themes that highlight our mission.

There are 2 display firms that do 90% of the business in the Pentagon, Smart Design and Blair. The average display costs approximately $250,000-$300,000 (i.e., "Golden 13"-the thirteen African American enlisted men who became the first African American commissioned and warrant officers in the United States Navy). There is a low-cost alternative being considered by some Navy offices to use the Naval History & Heritage Command (approximately $10,000-$15,000). The Command will do this on a collateral basis (not their full-time focus), and the displays are historical in nature with demos about to be installed within the vicinity of the VCNO/ACMC (prototype; others will determine if that's the low-cost approach they may prefer to consider).

FYI (for reference): The two Navy Supply Corps displays (grandfathered) on 4th deck, Corridor 4, cost approximately $75,000 each, with a third display in progress (total: ~$225,000). Smart Design did the first two displays and were "awesome" in their support and process.

Considering the cost and investment in the venture, I would like to propose CAPT [redacted] (Chair) and CDR [redacted] (N41 AO) work with a select group of N4_Division volunteers (NTE ~2 per Division) that can discuss an N4 theme and reference current Pentagon displays to synergize a consistent design that expresses naval logistics excellence. An important distinction in exhibits is enduring (i.e., Navy Supply-static in nature) vs. dynamic (i.e., Navy Medal of Honor awardees at 4th Deck A-Ring Apex-fluid, glass encased bulletin board for rotating/revising images such as the annual Admiral Stan Arthur award recipients, NLI/JLE initiatives/success stories, and environmental/energy news/initiatives). I'm sure N45 and their Public Affairs staff would have some amazing ideas in mind. If you concur, please submit the names of your volunteers to CAPT [redacted] and CDR [redacted] NLT COB, Fri., 02Sep. CAPT [redacted]'s intention is to present an initial recommendation (pending future vendor proposals) to DIVDIRs NLT COB Fri., 30Sep.

Once the request is approved by the DoN Corridor Committee, and an N4_general theme/medium is determined and funding level is confirmed, volunteer representatives from the Divisions will coordinate with CDR [redacted] and the vendor (preference for Smart Design since they already bring experience/consistency from Navy Supply displays) to design and install the display. All else being equal (pending CRA) and moratorium is lifted, the target date for installation is NLT Fri., 16Dec.

Please direct any questions or concerns you may have to CAPT [redacted].

VR/Kathleen

Rear Admiral Kathleen Dussault SC, USN

Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division Office of the
Chief of Naval Operations OPNAV N41
2000 Navy Pentagon
2E284
Washington, DC 20350-2000
[redacted]@navy.mil

703-695-[redacted]

Don't get me wrong - I like nice displays ... but ... do you know how much work a taxpayer has to do in order to pay for this? How many taxpayers it takes? Money that does not go to their children so it can go to Uncle Sam instead? Have we pondered how many cars you can buy for that?

You can get a top-line Fiat 500 (natch) for $25,000. Add it up.

As a side note - this was going to be posted a couple of weeks ago, but I held back to get comment from the N41 shop. On the advice of a PAO I have the greatest respect for and is a true professional, but sadly this shop is out of his mandate, I asked who was the right person to go through. He gave me the right person's POC info, so I tried to be nice and ask for comment or additional information. Oops.

I tried the LCDR at OI-31, but she punted me to the LT on duty at the Navy News Desk Action Officer, Navy Office of Information in the Pentagon. After an initial "How can I help you..." email - no response to any of my questions. Zilch.

So, that just reinforces my opinion of the PAO system in general in the Navy. Shame, I have met some good ones - but the problem is deep and the quality is spotty.

My bust - I should have known better. I feel stupid in that I let them delay a story. My fault. Next time I'll just blind side you N41 types.

BTW - I am still waiting for my fleece, second set of DCUs, and ... whatever.