B730(RS) Community Overview
 

RS Career Path

Interpreting Health Charts

Supply Enlisted Newsletter
 

****IF A SAILOR WHO DESIRES TO RE-ENLIST DOES NOT HAVE A RE-ENLISTMENT QUOTA,
PLEASE CONTACT THE APPLICABLE ENLISTED COMMUNITY MANAGER TO DISCUSS OPTIONS.****

General Description

Retail Specialists are responsible for managing and operating all shipboard retail and service activities.  They work in diverse environments including offices as recordskeepers, ship's stores, coffee kiosks (CVN only), barbershops, laundry plants and the post office.  Ashore, they work in a variety of assignments to include bachelor quarters, hospitals, Recruit Training Command and other special shore programs.  The work is physical and filled with several challenges; but the wide range of job experiences allow sailors to learn valuable retailing, marketing and shop management skills.  RS’s play a large role in the morale of the ship.

What They Do

The duties performed by Retail Services Specialists​ include:

*  Managing and operating retail and service activities afloat

*  E-Commerce

*  Procuring ship's store stock

*  Receiving and managing retail inventory

*  Maintaining financial records and accounting systems

*  Maintaining inventory and procurement databases

*  Managing and operating ship's barber shops

*  Serving as Navy Cash Collections Agents

*  Operating and maintaining vending and Navy Cash ATM machines

*  Managing and operating ship's laundry services

*  Hospitality services

*  Managing and operating Military Postal System (afloat and ashore), preparing and maintaining postal records and reports, processing, dispatching, routing and transportation of mail. 
 

Working Environment

Retail Services Specialists work in diverse environments including offices, ship's stores, coffee kiosks (CVN only), barber shops, and laundry plants.  Ashore, they work in a variety of assignments to include bachelor quarters, hospitals, Recruit Training Commands and other Special Shore Programs.  The work is physical and filled with several challenges; but the wide range of job experiences allow Sailors to learn valuable retailing, marketing and shop management skills.

Note: Retail Services Specialists must be personable and enjoy working with people in a customer service environment.  Above average mathematics, communication skills, the ability to work with cash and/or its equivalence in the performance of detailed work are fundamental requirements for this rating.  In addition, the RS rating offers countless leadership opportunities due to the volume of personnel organized, trained, motivated and managed within work centers throughout the division.
 

Career Path Opportunities

Opportunities for placement are excellent for qualified personnel.  Individual motivation, ability and work ethic will determine how far a Retail Services Specialist can advance in the enlisted or officer ranks during a 20-to-30 year career.  A Retaile Services Specialist who has achieved the rank of E-6 may be eligible to apply for commissioning as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO).  The LDO program along with several other programs (STA-21, OCS, MECP, MSC-IPP and the Naval Academy) enable a Retail Services Specialist to earn a path to a commission.

Career Outlook

In Navy Retail, the Retail Services Specialist will find a diversified and challenging field of work with unmatched potential for personal growth and professional development.  Sailors will have the opportunity to develop problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, organizational skills and basic computer operating skills (maintaining retail databases).  Sailors in this rating will develop practical knowledge and experience unmatched in the civilian world.  In the event that a Retail Services Specialist should decide to separate from naval service, all training and experience can directly transfer to all areas within today's global retail industry.  These training and development factors, along with a fantastic opportunity for travel, make any decision to leave the Navy a very difficult one.

Apprenticeship Program

The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) is a formal military training program executed by the Center for Personal and Professional Development that provides active duty Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy service members the opportunity to improve their job skills and to complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements while they are on active duty.  The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides the nationally recognized "Certificate of Completion" upon program completion.

USMAP enhances your job skills and shows your motivation for more challenging military assignments.  Having a DOL Certificate of Completion is a definite advantage in getting better civilian jobs since employers know the value of apprenticeships.  Below are the current USMAP apprenticeship trades that are currently offered for the Retail Services Specialist Rating:

*  Barber (Personal Service)
*  Manager, Retail Store (Retail Trade)
*  Computer Operator
*  Postal Operator

Please visit https://usmap.netc.navy.mil/usmapss/static/index.htm for additional information.

National Certifications and Additional Apprenticeship Programs

Navy COOL offers a wide selection of hospitality certifications and apprenticeships for the Retail Services Specialist rating.

Note: Below are several organizations that are listed on the Navy COOL website offering certifications and apprenticeships:

*  Hospitality Financial & Tecnology Professionals (HFTP)
*  Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
*  Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)
*  Microsoft Corporation
*  National Property Managment Association (NPMA)
*  Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Please visit https://www.cool.navy.mil for additional information.

Requirements
ASVAB: VE + AR = 83