OCTOBER 30, 2023 – The Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) is an annual survey for all military commanders and Department of Defense leaders to gage feedback from their military members and other employees.
The 2022 DEOCS completed at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) resulted in feedback on several quality-of-life topics including Sailors living in the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQs) having a way to cook for themselves.
NMCCL leadership anaylzed survey results, putting into action a plan to have kitchenettes installed in the NMCCL BEQs. There are now two kitchenettes featuring four burner stovetops, convection ovens, fire suppression hoods, and cabinetry.
“Our goal is to make these spaces better than when we got here,” Capt. Kevin Brown, Commanding Officer of Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune said to the Sailors before his final walkthrough. “If there’s an issue bring it up. We won’t know if you don’t tell us.”
The process of building the kitchenettes took a little under a year with the kitchenettes being officially unveiled in early October.
Now, Sailors living in the BEQs can feed themselves without having to spend money eating out. With the completion of the BEQ kitchenettes, Sailors expressed joy and relief over having a place to cook their own food.
“The kitchenettes are fantastic,” said Hospital Corpsman Hilario Ruiz who lives in the barracks. “It makes the BEQs feel more like a home. I can finally eat a meal that’s not microwaved.”
Other survey “quality-of-life” items completed include streamlined appointments for staff outpatient mental health appointments and the installation of new hydration stations in several clinic spaces.
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Woods
Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune