What is the purpose of the Global Distance Support Center (GDSC)?

The Global Distance Support Center (GDSC) primarily serves to provide remote assistance to Navy personnel through various communication methods, including email and phone. This function is essential for addressing issues that can arise with equipment or operations while a vessel is deployed or in remote locations, where direct access to technical support may not be feasible. The ability to offer timely and effective remote guidance ensures that ship crew members can maintain operational readiness and resolve problems efficiently without the need for a physical presence.

The other options reflect important functions within the Navy but do not capture the core mission of the GDSC. Monitoring shipboard efficiency is a broader operational task that involves various branches and systems, ordering supplies pertains to logistics rather than direct support, and conducting training is a critical function but falls under different programs rather than the specific scope of the GDSC. Thus, the primary focus of the GDSC on remote assistance solidifies the rationale behind the correct choice.