Most shop stores use simplified issue pro- cedures that require a minimum of paperwork by the customer. Typically, the customer tells the Storekeeper in the shop store what item is needed. The Storekeeper issues the material and prepares the requisition. The customer receives the material and returns to work. The remainder of the paper- work  is  completed  by  the  shop  store  supply personnel. Self-Service Stores. —Self-service stores are commonly referred to as servmarts. They are normally established to furnish nontechnical types of materials, such as office supplies, tools, and janitorial supplies. These stores are operated on a self-service basis that permits the customer to select material from shelf stock. The customer presents a requisition in payment at a checkout counter for the materials selected. The customers can  shop  at  their  own  convenience,  selecting substitute  items  for  those  items  that  are temporarily out of stock. Rapid Communication and Delivery Systems. — Rapid communication and delivery systems are established on several shore stations. Customers use the telephone or some other rapid communica- tion  system  to  request  needed  material.  The material is then delivered to the work area. This type  of  system  is  commonly  established  to support the aviation maintenance program at naval air stations. MATERIAL  DIVISION.  —The  material division is concerned with the physical handling of the supply department’s stock of materials. This  division  maintains  warehouses  and storerooms  and  receives,  stores,  and  issues material. The labor and equipment branch of the material division is responsible for all material- handling equipment, such as forklifts, trucks, and trailers. When  a  retail  issue  organization  is  not established, all material is issued from warehouses or storerooms operated by the material division. The customers should become familiar with the types  of  materials  that  are  stored  in  each warehouse or storeroom. CONTROL DIVISION. —The major compo- nent of a control division is the stock control branch.  If  a  retail  issue  organization  cannot provide the requested material, the stock control branch will forward your requisition to the main supply department for procurement action. In the supply  department,  the  issue  control  branch maintains records of each requisition received and the action taken. This allows you to trace a requisition  for  material  that  has  not  been received. The stock control branch is responsible for maintaining stock records and assuring adequate stock levels to support station operations. Any information that would alter the material require- ments for future support should be brought to the attention of this branch. The receipt control branch monitors and expedites  material  from  outside  sources.  The method used to receive or transmit information to these various supply internal components is usually found in a local instruction. Shipboard Supply Departments Supply  departments  afloat  are  generally organized into five divisions: S-1 through S-5, The S-1 division (stores division) is the only division discussed here; the other divisions are concerned with food service, disbursing, ship’s store, and the wardroom. Depending on the ship’s size, it could have additional supply divisions. For example, on a large ship such as an aircraft carrier, S-6 provides aviation stores, and S-7 is the data processing division. STORES DIVISION. —The stores division orders, receives, stows, and issues general stores and repair parts and maint sins related records. Under  the  Ships’  Maintenance  and  Material Management (3-M) program, a supply support center  may  be  established  within  the  stores division as a single point of contact between supply and maintenance personnel. The specific duties of a supply support center are detailed in the Ships’ Maintenance and Material Management (3-M) Manual, OPNAVINST 4790.4B. Generally, the supply support center receives requests and provides  material  identification  and  status information. In ships without a supply support center, these duties  are  normally  performed  by  storeroom personnel  and  the  supply  office.  The  supply office further processes requisitions for “not carried” and “not in stock” items and furnishes status information to the customer. MATERIAL CATEGORIES. —Let us briefly review the categories of material for which the supply department afloat is responsible. 4-6