You will be responsible for learning as much as possible about the supply system by using the training aids available. Most of the ETs in the fleet don’t fully understand the supply system and how it works. Most obtain the desired part by any method handy at the time. You MUST become familiar with the system to receive the best results! FEDERAL  CLASSIFICATION  SYSTEM The Federal Classification System requires that only one identification number be assigned for each item of  material.  The  Federal  Classification  System  includes naming,  describing,  classifying,  and  numbering  all items carried under centralized inventory control, as well  as  the  publication  of  catalogs  and  related identification  data.  The  system  is  managed  by  the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). MATERIAL  CLASSIFICATION The  Defense  Supply  System  contains  over  4  million different items. The Navy uses and has interest in over 1.5 million of these items. The Federal Supply Classifi- cation (FSC) system is a tool to permit the classification of all items of supply used by the federal government. It provides a common language so one service or agency can use available materials held by another. The FSC is a commodity classification. Groups and classes   have   been   established   for   the   numerous commodities with emphasis on the items in the supply systems  of  the  military  departments. Examples of commodity groups and class are as follows: 58–Communications  Equipment  (group) 5815–Teletype    and    Facsimile    equipment (class) 5831–Intercoms  and  Public  Address  Equip- ment,  Airborne 59–Electrical and Electronic Equipment Compo- nents 5905–Resistors 5910–Capacitors 5920–Fuses  and  Lightning  Arresters 61–Electric Wire, Power, and Distribution Equip ment 6110–Electrical  Control  Equipment 6135–Batteries,  Primary In the FSC system, most material used by the Navy is assigned a national stock number (NSN). The national stock  number  is  a  13-digit  number  that  includes  a four-digit FSC number and a nine-digit National Item Identification Number (NIIN). For example, in the NSN 6135-00-385-7281, the FSC number is 6135 and the NIIN is 00-385-7281. The following NSN, 5920-00-248-5708, preceded by a cognizance material control code, and followed by a  special  material  identification  code  (SMIC),  shows  all the elements with which you should be familiar: N9 H 5920 00 248-5708-VN Cognizance   Symbol N9 — (stores  account) Material Control Code H Federal Supply Group 59 — Federal   Supply   Classification 20 — National  Codification 00 Bureau  (NCB)  Code — National  Item  Identification 00-248-5708 Number (NIIN) Special  Material VN Identification  Code  (SMIC) Separated,  this  NSN,  cognizance  material  control code,  and  SMIC  will  tell  you  the  following information  about  the  item: 9N  =  Navy-owned  stocks  of  defense electronic  material H = depot level repairable 59 = electrical and electronic equipment components 20 = fuses and lightning arresters 00= FSNS assigned before 31 March 1975 00-284-5708 = the individual item identification number  (NIIN) VN = electrostatic discharge sensitive material SEARCHING FOR THE ELUSIVE NSN Various publications are available to help you find the stock numbers of the parts are  four  basic  publications. you want. Afloat, there 3-16