SUPPLY CORPS OFFICER (3100)
The Staff Corps community that keeps the Fleet supplied, fueled, paid, and contracted.
OVERVIEW
The 3100 Supply Corps designator identifies Staff Corps officers in the U.S. Navy who specialize in logistics, financial management, contracting, supply-chain management, food service, retail operations, and material readiness. Supply Corps officers serve aboard every major Navy ship, on every fleet and joint staff, at major Navy logistics commands, and at the Defense Logistics Agency. They are essential to keeping the Navy fueled, fed, paid, and supplied with everything from spare parts to ammunition to medical materiel.
Supply Corps officers wear the famous "Pork Chop" device — a gold oak leaf with silver acorn — and are universally known across the Fleet by that nickname. The community is one of the oldest and most operationally-deployed Staff Corps in the Navy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as Supply Officer aboard a fleet ship — feed the crew, manage parts, run the ship's store, pay and disburse
- Lead a Department at a Defense Logistics Agency, Naval Supply Systems Command, or Fleet Logistics Center
- Manage Navy contracts ranging from small purchases to major weapons-system acquisition
- Direct Navy financial management, pay, and budget at major-command financial offices
HISTORY
The Navy Supply Corps was established by Congress in 1795, just four years after the founding of the Navy itself, making it one of the oldest officer communities in continuous service. Originally known as the "Pursers Corps," the community was renamed the "Pay Corps" in 1842 and finally the "Supply Corps" in 1919.
Supply Corps officers have been involved in every major Navy logistics innovation of the past two centuries — from the underway-replenishment doctrine that made the WWII Pacific campaign possible, to the modern Just-in-Time logistics systems that sustain forward-deployed forces today.
COMMISSIONING SOURCES
- USNA
- NROTC
- OCS
- STA-21
- Lateral transfer
TRAINING PIPELINE
- 1. Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS) Basic Qualification Course~6 monthsNewport, RIComprehensive Supply Corps basic course covering logistics, financial management, food service, contracting, and ship-supply operations.
- 2. Department Head Course~3 monthsNSCS, Newport, RIMid-grade course preparing Lieutenants for major-supply department-head tours.
- 3. Specialty CoursesVariousNSCS / DAU / NPSSpecialty training in contracting, financial management, or operational logistics.
TYPICAL CAREER PATH
- O-1/O-2Navy Supply Corps School + first sea tourSix months at NSCS Newport, RI followed by first division-officer / supply tour.
- O-3Department Head ashoreDepartment head tour at a Fleet Logistics Center or NAVSUP.
- O-4Supply Officer afloatSupply Officer (CHOP) aboard a major surface combatant or aircraft carrier.
- O-5Major Logistics CommandCommand of a Fleet Logistics Center or major NAVSUP element.
- O-6Senior Supply LeadershipSenior leadership at NAVSUP, DLA, or as Chief of Supply Corps.
RELATED DESIGNATORS
RELATED BASES
- Direct commission via USNA, NROTC, or OCS into the 3100 community
- Successful completion of the Navy Supply Corps Basic Qualification Course at the Navy Supply Corps School
- Demonstrated business, finance, or logistics aptitude
- Maintain Secret clearance (TS for some assignments)
- Ship's Supply Officer (CHOP) aboard a destroyer, cruiser, amphib, submarine, or aircraft carrier
- Stock Control / Aviation Supply Officer at a Navy aviation squadron
- Department head at a Fleet Logistics Center or Naval Supply Systems Command
- Contracting officer at the Defense Logistics Agency or Navy Acquisition program