Great Email update + FSMS/Rating Update

The Email:

“Hope all is well.  I am emailing you to see if there is any progress on the new Foodservice Manual? We have a lot of new systems and changes that do not align with the old manual.  Also, the Perpetual Workbook does not reflect with the new changes with FSMS.  We no longer have document # for purchases and no OGD for tracking.  I am aware of what to do but do junior members know? Where do they reference this information?  We are testing and teaching members outdated information, that no longer exist.  Putting things on Facebook is cool but not solving the issue. Not all members are on social media. I am not complaining, just frustrated. I feel we focus more on the cooking aspect than the operator side.  What do FSO’s on Cutters do about AMIO or Detainees?  I ran into this problem and had to eat the cost, because there was no guidance.  I knew what to do but still didn’t align with the new system. With no SFR, how does the CC holder verify his or her history?  BLOCK G needs updates on how to access DOC# from FSMS system.  I know I am preaching to the choir but if I am bringing this up imagine what a junior is thinking.  They will not speak up.  This is where we lose retention in our rate.  We basically have to change our whole curriculum for C School IDFSO and Perpetual. I am speaking from an Operator Standpoint and Leadership.

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Great Email. Chopped it up to better itemize the question/statements for response.

“progress on the new Foodservice Manual?” “We have a lot of new systems and changes that do not align with the old manual.”

The new manual is in currently in concurrent clearance (approval). In July 2021 our manual was placed on the “chopping block” along with all other Directives published prior to 01 April 2017. We were required to have the manual placed into concurrent clearance by November 2021. The good thing is we had already started working on the manual and were able to meet the deadline with a solid product. The manual has passed through all must clears directorates with the exception of one, FORCOM. Now keep in mind, we will need to resend it through concurrent clearance (again) due to the large amount financial changes caused by FSMS. Over the next month we will observe the new CS FSMS processes, allow time for the procedures to evolve into consistent methods (that we can write policy on) and then resubmit. Since we already passed the bulk of the Manual through concurrent clearance it will make the second go around much quicker. Bottom line is the manual is on track to be completed.

“The Perpetual Workbook does not reflect with the new changes with FSMS.  We no longer have document # for purchases and no OGD for tracking.” “BLOCK G needs updates on how to access DOC# from FSMS system.”

CG-1113 (Chief Toler) has been working day and night with FINCEN and SPL to update the workbook. He has made much progress and it looks very promising that (shortly) all necessary changes for FSMS will be implemented smoothly.

“I am aware of what to do but do junior members know? Where do they reference this information?” “Putting things on Facebook is cool but not solving the issue. Not all members are on social media.”

SPL, DLA, Program and FINCEN have utilizing every form of technology (old and new) to do the best we can to communicate with the fleet. Over the last couple years we have become pioneers in the use social media, remote methods, new software, online teams, and internet resources to monitor, organize, and communicate with the CS rating. We understand that, most of the time, it is near impossible to access one or two sources of information (Portal, Email, Facebook ect), that is why, even though it is not ideal, we use every resource available to us. We deliberately use all the following methods of communication: FSMS Microsoft Teams, Mass Individual Emails, Mass Email Distribution lists, Message Traffic, Internet and intranet accessible web page, Facebook Page, Facebook Group, Culinary Support Help Tickets, CS Portal and lastly our telephones, cell phones and emails. Using multiple communication methods prevents you from being at a standstill in case portal, email or yes even Facebook is down.

“We are testing and teaching members outdated information, that no longer exist.”

Testing on old information will change with the new manual. As far as teaching outdated information, the C School staff works constantly with SPL, DLA, Program and FINCEN to update the information they are teaching. With the rollout of FSMS we all agreed that the best way forward was to teach what we know, when we know it. The C School staff strives to be the Subject Matter Experts on the latest methods so they can help the students become our new FSMS Subject Matter Experts and impart the latest methods to the fleet. We understand things are changing at lightning speed and that what we teach may be outdated immediately. We still believe holding on to the new stuff and teaching the old stuff has greater ramifications than pushing out what we know now immediately.

Just for reference CSCS Matt Wernicke and his FINCEN team wrote most of the user guides for FMFS. They did this to keep our rating on track for the rollout. Since no one else was ready, his user guides were farmed out to the entire CG for guidance.

“I feel we focus more on the cooking aspect than the operator side.”

We are cooks. We should put focus on cooking. Do I personally spend a little time on the culinary side of the program? Yes, but with that being said (<– I hate when people say that) SPL, DLA, Program and FINCEN spend 99% of their time tirelessly focusing on supporting the current and future operational side of the rating.

“What do FSO’s on Cutters do about AMIO or Detainees?  I ran into this problem and had to eat the cost, because there was no guidance.  I knew what to do but still didn’t align with the new system. With no SFR, how does the CC holder verify his or her history?”

I will send these technical questions to FINCEN/SPL and answer offline but what I do know is FINCEN (with help from SPL, DLA, Program) is working on the following to keep up with the new ever changing FSMS environment:

– AMIO processing and updated TTP Job Aid *URGENT- 90% completed.

– Detainee processing and updated TTP Job Aid *URGENT- 90% completed, awaiting for POET information.

– Updated FSO relief memo and updated TTP job aid- (Completed and on CS Portal).

– Updated RDAP process and updated TTP job aid- Awaiting new POET. Hide original message

– Updated MIDLIFE process and updated TTP job aid- (Completed and on CS Portal).

– Updated Cutter establishment process and updated TTP job aid- 90% completed, awaiting POET and TASK information.

– Updated CGDFOS (Block G) process and updated TTP job aid-CG-1113? *URGENT- Formatted awaiting Aging Receivables Process. Meeting 1/26/22 at 1100.

– Updated CGDF folder cover sheets- (Completed and on the CS Portal).

– Updated decommissioning process and TTP job aid- (Completed and on CS Portal).

– Credit card history report (SFR) policy requirement and TTP job aid- (Completed and on CS Portal).

“I know I am preaching to the choir but if I am bringing this up imagine what a junior is thinking.  They will not speak up.  This is where we lose retention in our rate.”

You are correct. Much respect for asking the questions everyone else wants to ask.

“We basically have to change our whole curriculum for C School IDFSO and Perpetual.”

Yes, we have to change everything. I was in a meeting with C-School, SPL, DLA, FINCEN and CG-1113 and everyone is ready and willing to take on this challenge. The implementation of FSMS has shown that collaboration and cross training of the SPL, FINCEN, DLA, C-School and CG-1113 teams is imperative to create the Subject Matter Experts needed to communicate with our fleet. We are working hard to ensure our CS Support System POCs, mentors, Command advisors and decision makers are engaged and knowledgeable in this new fast changing financial and technology driven CG environment.

“I am not complaining, just frustrated.” “I am speaking from an Operator Standpoint and Leadership.”

I love this. Thank you for speaking up for the rating. We need leadership right now. Our future state will demand it. FSMS is just the start. As we have seen, it was (and will continue to be) a huge lift tackling this one financial change (FSMS). The CS rating is currently running on Excel Spreadsheets. The Coast Guard has recognized how archaic our CS financial record keeping is (it’s embarrassing the CG) and they want to bring us within minimal DHS requirements fast. Current initiatives beyond FSMS will include the transition to Noble/Noss, the implementation of Military Sealift Commands Live Time Paperwork System, a new Mobile Inventory Solution, and the further implementation of a Point Of Sale collection system. C-School, SPL, DLA, FINCEN and CG-1113 will be fully engaged at the task at hand.

Thanks for all your hard work/flexibility cooks you never fail to impress and shine.