READY FOR SEA- The Bicentennial History of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps, by RADM Frank J. Allston, SC, USNR (RET.)Ø READY FOR SEA traces the two-hundred-year history of the U.S. Navy Supply Corps from its beginnings in 1795 with the appointment of the Nation"s first purveyor of public supplies, through a series of organizational and nomenclature changes, to today"s competent group of naval businessmen and women.Ø The Supply Corp"s history is the story of its people, those who served first as naval agents, then pursers, paymasters, Pay Corps officers, and finally as Supply Corps officers. Their stories are told through more than two hundred comprehensive portraits and personal vignettes of the men and women who over the years have come to exemplify the characteristics of ingenuity, creativity, perseverance, and dedication in their efforts to provide "Service to the Fleet." All of their stories are placed in the context of American naval history and reflect the struggle of the nation to evolve into the world"s most modern and efficient sea power. Ø This book presents an engrossing overview of an organization that today procures, distributes, and accounts for modern weapons systems as well as the traditional beans, bullets, and black oil. This bicentennial edition will have special appeal to the estimated 50,000 living Supply Corps officers, past and present, and to those outside the corps who have relied on its supply system.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Ø Rear Admiral Frank J. Allston was the senior drilling Naval Reservist when he retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve Supply Corps in June 1985 after more than thirty-four years of active and reserve duty. Ø As a Naval Reservist Admiral Allston has served as commanding officer of reserve units in New York City, Greenville, South Carolina, and Chicago. He is the founder of the Recruiting District Assistance council program for the Naval Recruiting Command.