This chapter explains the procedures used to operate and care for officers' quarters afloat. It also explains the organization of bachelor quarters (BQs) ashore and the resulting operational responsibilities that are assigned to MSs.

OFFICERS' QUARTERS AFLOAT

The Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (COMNAVSUPSYSCOM) is responsible for providing administrative and technical direction for officers' quarters afloat.  To discharge this responsibility, COMNAVSUPSYSCOM issues directives and letters of guidance and provides training and aid to operating personnel.

TYPES

Quarters on board ships are of several different types. Flag officers and commanding officers (COs) have their own mess and their quarters. They are normally larger and more like bedrooms than other officer quarters found on board ships.

Flag Officer

Quarters for flag officers include a stateroom and private head Facilities. The staterooms are like small bedrooms ashore.

Commanding Officer

Quarters for the CO are like the quarters provided for flag officers.

Staterooms

Staterooms are berthing spaces provided for officers aboard ship. They are similar to small bedrooms. Officers other than flag officers, COs, executive officers (XOs), and sometimes department heads are billeted two to a stateroom.

ORGANIZATION

The mess caterer or, if there is no caterer, the mess treasurer is usually responsible to the mess president for the service, care, and maintenance of quarters afloat. Mess Caterer

The mess caterer is responsible for the efficient management of the officers' staterooms, including maintenance and repair of government-owned equipment and stateroom facilities. The caterer is also responsible for providing linen, laundry, and cleaning services.

Leading Mess Petty Officer

The senior enlisted person assigned to the wardroom mess is the leading mess petty officer. The leading mess petty officer is responsible to the mess caterer for both the supervision of foodservice and stateroom service personnel. He or she also oversees the details of the daily wardroom mess operation. Stateroom Supervisor

Ship's size often dictates whether or not a stateroom supervisor is assigned. If assigned, the stateroom supervisor is responsible to the leading mess petty officer for supervising the personnel assigned to stateroom service.

As an MS, you may be assigned to supervise stateroom services afloat. As a supervisor, you are expected to manage and coordinate the activities of personnel who provide stateroom services. Your duties may include but arc not limited to the following: Planning the work schedule

Developing efficient methods for cleaning and maintaining the staterooms using limited cleaning equipment and supplies available Practicing proper inventory management regarding linen, supplies, and cleaning equipment

Being familiar with the location of each stateroom, the easiest route to the ship's laundry, and laundry pickup schedules

Other Assigned Personnel

MS personnel are responsible for performing functions associated with the management and operation of officers' quarters afloat. However, a rotational pool of enlisted personnel in paygrades E-1 through E-3 may be provided to aid the MSs in providing maintenance, cleaning, and other services.

When assigned, the rotational pool is under the supervision of an MS and may perform the following duties:

Daily bed-making services and weekly bed linen changing for the CO, X0, unit commander, and officers in paygrades 0-5 and above

Maintenance and cleaning of all staterooms and associated living spaces

Cleaning of passageways and heads in officers' quarters

Making sure officers' beds have clean linen, and soiled hand and bath towels are changed twice weekly, airing bedding, turning mattresses, vacuuming bunks, washing paintwork, and having chair covers and bedspreads dry-cleaned quarterly

*Assisting MS personnel in the cleaning and maintenance of foodservice spaces including wardroom service and food preparation