Naval Inventory Control Point International Programs organization and mission. (Feature Articles).

The Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) International Programs Directorate Organization is led by Captain Tom Steffen who is dual hatted as both Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP-OF) Deputy Commander for International Programs and Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP 07) Deputy Commander for Security Assistance. Under Captain Steffen and his deputy, Mr. Rich Bennis, Assistant Deputy Commander for International Programs (NAVICP-OFA), are two major directorates, the foreign military sales (EMS) Operations Directorate, Code P75 and the Foreign Military Sales Policy and Program Support Directorate, Code P76.

The FMS Operations Directorate, Code P75 has two departments, the Aviation Department, Code P751, and the Integrated Country Program Team Department, Code P754. The EMS Operations Directorate also has a matrix relationship with the International Programs Division (Code M0585) of the Ships Support Directorate.

P751: The Aviation Department supports the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in the development and execution of major EMS aircraft programs. This is accomplished by producing tailored initial support allowance lists and by supplying the required spare parts. The department processes EMS customer requisitions for NAYICP cognizance material for follow-on support for thrity-five countries with 2405 aircraft and processes the repair of repairables (ROR) transactions to fix not-ready-for-issue (NRFI) material and return the units to the FMS customer.

P754: The Integrated Country Program Team Department, within the NAVICP International Programs FMS Operations Directorate, provides customer service and supply support for FMS cases to one hundred and sixty customer countries. Code 754 manages FMS cases for weapon system follow-on support (e.g. Direct Requisitioning Procedures, CLSSA and ROR) and is responsible to the major hardware system commands (SYSCOMs), such as NAVAIR and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Case execution may include such support as requisition processing, material follow-ups, supply discrepancy report (SDR) tracking, and customer liaison services between the foreign military customer and the U.S. Navy supply system.

M0585: The International Programs Division of the Ships Support Directorate designs and develops optimal material support strategies for ship-related weapon systems in use by international customers of the U.S. Navy. Functions performed include:

* Weapon system configuration management;

* Provisioning;

* Allowance determination;

* Requisition processing;

* Repairables management.

Code P76 has four departments:

* Policy and Systems Department, P761;

* Customer and Operational Support Department, P762;

* Financial Operations, P763;

* Transportation Department, P764.

P761: The Policy and Systems Department is responsible for the interpretation of U.S. law, and Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) and Department of Defense policies and procedures, which support security assistance business processes. Code P761 also identifies, designs and develops information systems applications for the Navy's FMS program. P761 provides formal training for other OF components, as well as for NAVAIR, NAVSEA, Defense Financial and Accounting Service (DFAS), responsible for the execution of FMS cases.

P762: The Customer and Operational Support Department is responsible for supporting the needs of Code OF's security assistance foreign representatives including contracting support, office supply management, billing services, and procurement. P762 is also the activity control point for the coordination of the Foreign Military Training Program, this includes the International Military Student Officer training program and its associated budget and logistical requirements. This department also provides the management and oversight of the Code OF Field Liaison and very important people visitor arrangements. This includes coordination of all country clearances, passport and visa requirements, lodging, and escort services.

P763: The Financial Operations Department is Code OF's business office. One of the primary functions of this organization is to manage funds control for the organization. This includes the control and execution of administrative and case funds as well as Military Articles and Service Lists (MASL) and integrated product (IP) funding. P763 is also the focal point for Code OF's Activity Based Costing (ABC) effort. This initiative will provide Code OF with management data which will provide greater funds control. Other P763 functions include Audit and Inspector General liaison, case closure certificate issuance, invoice certification, and contract obligation posting.

P764: The Transportation Department serves as the technical advisor for the physical distribution of material in connection with the FMS programs. P764 also provides transportation expedite services to FMS customers where required. P764 has been instrumental in the deployment of new automated shipment tracking systems which give greater visibility to in transit material for both customer and shipper greatly reducing the amount of lost or delayed deliveries.

The NAVICP International Programs Directorate organizational structure maintains the country program focus, specific case focus, and a weapon system/platform focus that are integral to the security assistance mission. The streamlined organizational design enables the NAVICP International Programs Directorate to maintain mission capability in an austere funding environment as well as improve service to both internal and external customers.

About the Author

Ray MacWilliams is the Deputy Director of the FMS Operations Directorate in the Naval Inventory Control Point, International Programs Directorate. He has been with the organization since it stood up in October 1996, and with the Naval Inventory Control Point/Aviation Supply Office since September 1979. Ray earned a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Saint Joseph's University and an MBA from LaSalle University, both of Philadelphia.