l l l l l Calculate  its  own  requirements procure  its  own  material Manage its own stocks (termed  retail  stocks) Initiate  research  and  development Maintain technical and management control over use of the commodity within its service There are  two  parts  of  the  Navy’s  supply  support system: (1) The military commands that retain direct control over certain major equipment and components known as major  end  items,  and  (2)  the  Navy  Supply  System (NAVSUP). We’ll discuss each in the following paragraphs. MATERIAL  CONTROLLED  BY  MILITARY COMMANDS One  part  of  the  supply  support  system  consists  of the  material  commands  of  the  Navy  Department  who retain  direct  control  over  certain  major  equipments  and components   known   as   major   end   items.   These commands  are  responsible  for  the  design,  development, procurement,   maintenance,   and   control   of   ships, aircraft, and missiles, and the major equipment installed in them or used in their support. The Navy procures many of these major components and  furnishes  them  to  shipbuilders  or  aircraft manufacturers for installation. This retention of control by a  particular  command  or  bureau  permits  better  analysis  of the effect of design changes on requirements and makes sure that contract delivery schedules and shipments are adjusted to meet current needs. Each   individual   command   determines   its requirements for major items of equipment where need is based on planned requirements rather than past issue. For  example,  NAVSEA  controls  major  end  items  such as  deck  winches  and  major  electronic  equipment. Because  the  mission  of  each  material  command  is distinctive,  there  is  little  duplication  of  function.  The Navy conducts frequent analysis of the major end items to be sure this type of control contributes to overall effectiveness  and  economy. THE NAVY SUPPLY SYSTEM The  other  part  of  the  supply  support  system, NAVSUP,  is  concerned  with  over  a  million  items assigned to inventory control points (ICPs).   These items include such categories of material as repair parts and consumable  supplies.  NAVSUP  is  responsible  for  the purchase, cataloging, receipt, storage, and distribution of all required materials. To meet its responsibility, NAVSUP must have the data needed to predict answers to the following questions: WHAT will be required? HOW  MUCH  will  be  required? WHEN  will  specific  items  be  required? WHERE  will  items  be  needed? HOW will they be transported? The  answers  to  the  preceding  questions  help NAVSUP personnel control the hundreds of thousands of items at all stages. Those personnel must give the items specific identification codes; coordinate supply information   to   avoid   duplication   of   authority, responsibility, and functions; and prevent pockets that do  not  clarify  authority,  responsibility,  and  functions. The  NAVSUP  system  works  at  four  levels: department,   bureau   or   command,   SCDPs,   and individual  activities. The department chiefly determines broad policy and  reviews  overall  operation  and  performance. The  Navy  Supply  System  Command  has management  control  over  most  kinds  of  materials.  (The most notable exception is a limited number of material command-controlled  items.)  In  other  words,  the  bureau or  individual  command  formulates  policy  for,  and exercises   general   supervision   over,   cataloging, procurement, stock control, storage, transportation, accounting, issue, and disposal of various categories of supplies, equipment, and repair parts. In addition to management control, NAVSUP has technical  direction  over  certain  categories  of  materials. In general, however, technical direction is vested in some  other  command  or  office.  Technical  direction involves the technical functions of research, design, inspection,  and  installation.  For  example,  NAVSEA  has technical  direction  of  hull,  mechanical,  electrical,  and ordnance supplies; NAVELEX of electronic supplies; NAVAIR of aviation supplies; and BUMED of medical and dental supplies and equipment. NAVSUP  has  delegated  to  the  supply  departments established   at   Navy   field   activities   the   general responsibility to procure, receive, store, distribute, and control the materials that are required by the particular activity. These activity supply departments must also maintain the necessary accounts for materials, there is a separate fiscal department to do that. 5-2 unless