Pendleton Marines Getting Gear Faster

The Consolidated Issue Facility here is making an effort to supply Marines with faster customer service.
The CIF will receive help in handling the approximately 300 Marines and Sailors they assist on a daily basis.
“We currently have eight terminals at Camp Pendleton and have been approved to increase them by five,” said Jewel R. Buckles, a 27-year-old quality assurance specialist from Gallup, N.M.
The civilian contractors that run the CIF hope that the increased manpower will help alleviate some of the complaints from Marines.
“I think it will decrease our lines, decrease the wait and make life a lot easier for Marines,” Buckles said.
The CIF wants to help Marines expedite the checking in and out process but can’t do it on their own. They need Marines and Sailors to make an individual effort to have everything ready when the time comes.
Marines should print out a gear receipt on-line and print out any missing gear statements before they go to the CIF, said Ken Holt, a 50-year-old regional manager from St. Louis.
The better prepared Marines are, the faster the process. The CIF’s website, www.usmccif.com provides Marines the basic things they need to be prepared.
On the website, Marines can get a list of the gear they had issued to them. They can also print out missing gear statements.
“They must have a check out sheet to return equipment,” Buckles said. “The gear they turn in should be clean. Equipment with unknown substances needs to be taken to (hazardous material).”
If Marines have everything ready to go, the process is quick and painless. The workers in the shop do all they can to make that possible.
“I haven’t had any problems with the CIF,” said Sgt. Ryan P. Schmit, a 35-year old Marine from St. Paul Park, Minn. “People complain about how long it takes, but there are only so many people and they can only go as fast as the computers.”
Due to the long lines, Holt has always ensured Marines are treated with respect when they reach a counter.
“If a Marine is not happy with the service, he shouldn’t hesitate to ask for a manager to make it right,” Holt said. “We’re here for the Marines. We want to make sure they get good customer service.”