diff --git a/generic3g/OuterMetaComponent/initialize_advertise.F90 b/generic3g/OuterMetaComponent/initialize_advertise.F90
index 268cb6760400..8ffdf34c5f93 100644
--- a/generic3g/OuterMetaComponent/initialize_advertise.F90
+++ b/generic3g/OuterMetaComponent/initialize_advertise.F90
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 #include "MAPL_Generic.h"
 
 submodule (mapl3g_OuterMetaComponent) initialize_advertise_smod
-   implicit none
+   use mapl3g_make_ItemSpec
+   implicit none (type, external)
+
 
 contains
 
@@ -78,7 +80,7 @@ end subroutine self_advertise
 
       subroutine advertise_variable(var_spec, registry, geom, vertical_grid, unusable, rc)
          type(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: var_spec
-         type(StateRegistry), intent(inout) :: registry
+         type(StateRegistry), target, intent(inout) :: registry
          type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
          class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
          class(KE), optional, intent(in) :: unusable
@@ -91,8 +93,11 @@ subroutine advertise_variable(var_spec, registry, geom, vertical_grid, unusable,
 
          _ASSERT(var_spec%itemtype /= MAPL_STATEITEM_UNKNOWN, 'Invalid type id in variable spec <'//var_spec%short_name//'>.')
 
-         allocate(item_spec, source=var_spec%make_ItemSpec(geom, vertical_grid, registry, rc=status)); _VERIFY(status)
+         allocate(item_spec, source=make_ItemSpec(var_spec, registry, rc=status))
+         _VERIFY(status)
          call item_spec%create(_RC)
+         call item_spec%initialize(geom, vertical_grid, _RC)
+
 
          virtual_pt = var_spec%make_virtualPt()
          call registry%add_primary_spec(virtual_pt, item_spec)
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/BracketSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/BracketSpec.F90
index d64d5bef9981..95ae7ebcc7e9 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/BracketSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/BracketSpec.F90
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ module mapl3g_BracketSpec
 
       procedure :: extension_cost
       procedure :: make_extension
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_bracket_spec
    end type BracketSpec
 
    interface BracketSpec
@@ -291,5 +292,14 @@ subroutine make_extension(this, dst_spec, new_spec, action, rc)
       _FAIL('not implemented')
    end subroutine make_extension
 
+   subroutine initialize_bracket_spec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(BracketSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+      integer :: status
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+   end subroutine initialize_bracket_spec
 
 end module mapl3g_BracketSpec
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/CMakeLists.txt b/generic3g/specs/CMakeLists.txt
index 99d1eeec4080..e12c06936312 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/generic3g/specs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -29,4 +29,5 @@ target_sources(MAPL.generic3g PRIVATE
   ComponentSpec.F90
 
   AbstractActionSpec.F90
+  make_itemSpec.F90
 )
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/FieldSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/FieldSpec.F90
index 6ec4232bbb44..9a1a099d090c 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/FieldSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/FieldSpec.F90
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 #include "MAPL_Generic.h"
 
+#if defined _SET_FIELD
+#  undef _SET_FIELD
+#endif
+#define _SET_FIELD(A, B, F) A%F = B%F
+
+#if defined(_SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD)
+#  undef _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD
+#endif
+#define _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD(A, B, F) if(allocated(B%F)) _SET_FIELD(A, B, F)
+
 module mapl3g_FieldSpec
 
    use mapl3g_StateItemSpec
@@ -27,6 +37,7 @@ module mapl3g_FieldSpec
    use mapl3g_geom_mgr, only: MAPL_SameGeom
    use mapl3g_FieldDictionary
    use mapl3g_GriddedComponentDriver
+   use mapl3g_VariableSpec
    use udunits2f, only: UDUNITS_are_convertible => are_convertible, udunit
    use gftl2_StringVector
    use esmf
@@ -77,6 +88,7 @@ module mapl3g_FieldSpec
 
       type(ESMF_Field) :: payload
       real, allocatable :: default_value
+      type(VariableSpec) :: variable_spec
 
       logical :: is_created = .false.
 
@@ -96,11 +108,13 @@ module mapl3g_FieldSpec
       procedure :: make_extension
 
       procedure :: set_info
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_field_spec
 
    end type FieldSpec
 
    interface FieldSpec
       module procedure new_FieldSpec_geom
+      module procedure new_FieldSpec_varspec
 !#      module procedure new_FieldSpec_defaults
    end interface FieldSpec
 
@@ -131,7 +145,6 @@ module mapl3g_FieldSpec
 
 contains
 
-
    function new_FieldSpec_geom(unusable, geom, vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec, typekind, ungridded_dims, &
         standard_name, long_name, units, &
         attributes, regrid_param, default_value) result(field_spec)
@@ -176,6 +189,17 @@ function new_FieldSpec_geom(unusable, geom, vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec, ty
 
    end function new_FieldSpec_geom
 
+   function new_FieldSpec_varspec(variable_spec) result(field_spec)
+      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
+      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: variable_spec
+
+      field_spec%variable_spec = variable_spec
+      field_spec%long_name = ' '
+      !wdb fixme deleteme  long_name is set here based on the VariableSpec
+      !                    make_FieldSpec method
+
+   end function new_FieldSpec_varspec
+      
    function get_regrid_method_(stdname, rc) result(regrid_method)
       type(ESMF_RegridMethod_Flag) :: regrid_method
       character(:), allocatable, intent(in) :: stdname
@@ -198,6 +222,44 @@ function get_regrid_method_(stdname, rc) result(regrid_method)
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end function get_regrid_method_
 
+   subroutine initialize_field_spec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(FieldSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+      integer :: status
+      type(ESMF_RegridMethod_Flag), allocatable :: regrid_method
+      type(ActualPtVector) :: dependencies
+
+      associate (variable_spec => this%variable_spec)
+        if (present(geom)) this%geom = geom
+        if (present(vertical_grid)) this%vertical_grid = vertical_grid
+           
+         _SET_FIELD(this, variable_spec, vertical_dim_spec)
+         _SET_FIELD(this, variable_spec, typekind)
+         _SET_FIELD(this, variable_spec, ungridded_dims)
+         _SET_FIELD(this, variable_spec, attributes)
+         _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD(this, variable_spec, standard_name)
+         _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD(this, variable_spec, units)
+         _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD(this, variable_spec, default_value)
+
+         this%regrid_param = EsmfRegridderParam() ! use default regrid method
+         regrid_method = get_regrid_method_(this%standard_name)
+         this%regrid_param = EsmfRegridderParam(regridmethod=regrid_method)
+
+         dependencies = variable_spec%make_dependencies(_RC)
+         call this%set_dependencies(dependencies)
+         call this%set_raw_dependencies(variable_spec%dependencies)
+
+         if (variable_spec%state_intent == ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL) then
+            call this%set_active()
+         end if
+      end associate
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+      
+   end subroutine initialize_field_spec
+
 !#   function new_FieldSpec_defaults(ungridded_dims, geom, units) result(field_spec)
 !#      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
 !#      type(ExtraDimsSpec), intent(in) :: ungridded_dims
@@ -961,5 +1023,7 @@ subroutine set_info(this, field, rc)
 
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end subroutine set_info
-
+    
 end module mapl3g_FieldSpec
+#undef _SET_FIELD
+#undef _SET_ALLOCATED_FIELD
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/InvalidSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/InvalidSpec.F90
index 5e871b87f559..fb4baa23b2fd 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/InvalidSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/InvalidSpec.F90
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ module mapl3g_InvalidSpec
    use mapl3g_ActualPtVector
    use mapl3g_ActualPtSpecPtrMap
    use mapl3g_NullAction
+   use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
    use esmf, only: ESMF_FieldBundle
    use esmf, only: ESMF_Geom
    use esmf, only: ESMF_State
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ module mapl3g_InvalidSpec
 
       procedure :: make_extension
       procedure :: extension_cost
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_invalid_spec
    end type InvalidSpec
 
 
@@ -154,4 +156,16 @@ integer function extension_cost(this, src_spec, rc) result(cost)
 
    end function extension_cost
 
+   subroutine initialize_invalid_spec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(InvalidSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+
+      integer :: status
+
+      _FAIL('Attempt to initialize item of type InvalidSpec')
+
+   end subroutine initialize_invalid_spec
+
 end module mapl3g_InvalidSpec
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/ServiceSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/ServiceSpec.F90
index 5ac9f2156f48..bad70be7fc82 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/ServiceSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/ServiceSpec.F90
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 #include "MAPL_Generic.h"
 
 module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
+   use mapl3g_StateRegistry
+   use mapl3g_VariableSpec
    use mapl3g_StateItemSpec
    use mapl3g_MultiState
    use mapl3g_ActualConnectionPt
+   use mapl3g_StateItemExtension
    use mapl3g_ExtensionAction
    use mapl3g_NullAction
    use mapl3g_AbstractActionSpec
@@ -14,6 +17,7 @@ module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
    use mapl3g_ActualPtVector
    use mapl3g_ActualConnectionPt
    use mapl3g_VirtualConnectionPt
+   use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
    use esmf
    use gftl2_StringVector
    implicit none
@@ -23,6 +27,8 @@ module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
 
    type, extends(StateItemSpec) :: ServiceSpec
       private
+      type(StateRegistry), pointer :: registry
+      type(VariableSpec) :: variable_spec
       type(ESMF_Typekind_Flag), allocatable :: typekind
       type(ESMF_FieldBundle) :: payload
       type(StateItemSpecPtr), allocatable :: dependency_specs(:)
@@ -38,6 +44,7 @@ module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
       procedure :: extension_cost
       procedure :: add_to_state
       procedure :: add_to_bundle
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_service_spec
 !!$      procedure :: check_complete
    end type ServiceSpec
 
@@ -47,13 +54,13 @@ module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
 
 contains
 
-   function new_ServiceSpec(service_item_specs) result(spec)
+   function new_ServiceSpec(variable_spec, registry) result(spec)
       type(ServiceSpec) :: spec
-      type(StateItemSpecPtr), intent(in) :: service_item_specs(:)
+      type(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: variable_spec
+      type(StateRegistry), target, intent(in) :: registry
 
-      integer :: status
-
-      spec%dependency_specs = service_item_specs
+      spec%variable_spec = variable_spec
+      spec%registry => registry
 
    end function new_ServiceSpec
 
@@ -197,7 +204,33 @@ integer function extension_cost(this, src_spec, rc) result(cost)
       cost = 0
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end function extension_cost
-   
 
+   subroutine initialize_service_spec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(ServiceSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+      integer :: status
+
+      integer :: i, n
+      type(StateItemSpecPtr), allocatable :: specs(:)
+      type(VirtualConnectionPt) :: v_pt
+      type(StateItemExtension), pointer :: primary
+
+      associate (var_spec => this%variable_spec)
+        n = var_spec%service_items%size()
+        allocate(specs(n))
+
+        do i = 1, n
+           v_pt = VirtualConnectionPt(ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL, var_spec%service_items%of(i))
+           ! Internal items are always unique and "primary" (owned by user)
+           primary => this%registry%get_primary_extension(v_pt, _RC)
+           specs(i)%ptr => primary%get_spec()
+        end do
+      end associate
+      this%dependency_specs = specs
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+   end subroutine initialize_service_spec
 
 end module mapl3g_ServiceSpec
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/StateItemSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/StateItemSpec.F90
index 5ca0e21958d7..c36eef5d6c7e 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/StateItemSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/StateItemSpec.F90
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ module mapl3g_StateItemSpec
 
       procedure(I_add_to_state), deferred :: add_to_state
       procedure(I_add_to_bundle), deferred :: add_to_bundle
+      procedure(I_initialize), deferred :: initialize
 
       procedure, non_overridable :: set_allocated
       procedure, non_overridable :: is_allocated
@@ -47,7 +48,6 @@ module mapl3g_StateItemSpec
       class(StateItemSpec), pointer :: ptr => null()
    end type StateItemSpecPtr
 
-
    abstract interface
 
       subroutine I_connect(this, src_spec, actual_pt, rc)
@@ -122,6 +122,16 @@ subroutine I_add_to_bundle(this, bundle, rc)
          integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
       end subroutine I_add_to_bundle
 
+      subroutine I_initialize(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+         use esmf, only: ESMF_Geom
+         use mapl3g_VerticalGrid, only: VerticalGrid
+         import StateItemSpec
+         class(StateItemSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+         type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+         class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+         integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+      end subroutine I_initialize
+
    end interface
 
 contains
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/StateSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/StateSpec.F90
index 9158b55459ae..9ee91c01e17d 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/StateSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/StateSpec.F90
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ module mapl3g_StateSpec
    use mapl3g_AbstractActionSpec
    use mapl3g_StateItemSpecMap
    use mapl3g_VariableSpec
+   use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
    use mapl3g_MultiState
    use mapl3g_ActualConnectionPt
    use mapl3g_ActualPtVector
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ module mapl3g_StateSpec
       type(ESMF_State) :: payload
       type(StateItemSpecMap) :: item_specs
    contains
-!!$      procedure :: initialize
+      procedure :: initialize
       procedure :: add_item
       procedure :: get_item
 
@@ -42,20 +43,18 @@ module mapl3g_StateSpec
 
 contains
 
-!!$   ! Nothing defined at this time.
-!!$   subroutine initialize(this, geom, var_spec, unusable, rc)
-!!$      class(StateSpec), intent(inout) :: this
-!!$      type(ESMF_Geom), intent(in) :: geom
-!!$      type(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: var_spec
-!!$      class(KeywordEnforcer), optional, intent(in) :: unusable
-!!$      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-!!$
-!!$      character(:), allocatable :: units
-!!$      integer :: status
-!!$
-!!$      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-!!$      _UNUSED_DUMMY(unusable)
-!!$   end subroutine initialize
+   ! Nothing defined at this time.
+   subroutine initialize(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(StateSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+
+      character(:), allocatable :: units
+      integer :: status
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+   end subroutine initialize
 
    subroutine add_item(this, name, item)
       class(StateSpec), target, intent(inout) :: this
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/VariableSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/VariableSpec.F90
index 3a14ba9d8936..802887aae3b0 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/VariableSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/VariableSpec.F90
@@ -3,17 +3,9 @@
 
 module mapl3g_VariableSpec
 
-   use mapl3g_StateItemSpec
-   use mapl3g_StateItem
-   use mapl3g_StateItemExtension
    use mapl3g_UngriddedDims
    use mapl3g_VerticalDimSpec
    use mapl3g_HorizontalDimsSpec
-   use mapl3g_FieldSpec
-   use mapl3g_WildcardSpec
-   use mapl3g_BracketSpec
-   use mapl3g_ServiceSpec
-   use mapl3g_InvalidSpec
    use mapl3g_VirtualConnectionPt
    use mapl3g_ActualConnectionPt
    use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
@@ -21,6 +13,7 @@ module mapl3g_VariableSpec
    use mapl3g_ActualPtVector
    use mapl_ErrorHandling
    use mapl3g_StateRegistry
+   use mapl3g_StateItem
    use esmf
    use gFTL2_StringVector
    use nuopc
@@ -58,18 +51,20 @@ module mapl3g_VariableSpec
       type(StringVector) :: dependencies
    contains
       procedure :: make_virtualPt
-      procedure :: make_ItemSpec_new
-      generic :: make_itemSpec => make_itemSpec_new
-      procedure :: make_BracketSpec
-      procedure :: make_FieldSpec
-      procedure :: make_ServiceSpec_new
-      procedure :: make_WildcardSpec
+      !wdb fixme deleteme These are obsolete because StateItemSpec is performing these actions
+!      procedure :: make_ItemSpec_new
+!      generic :: make_itemSpec => make_itemSpec_new
+!      procedure :: make_BracketSpec
+!      procedure :: make_FieldSpec
+!      procedure :: make_ServiceSpec_new
+!      procedure :: make_WildcardSpec
 
       procedure :: make_dependencies
       procedure, private :: pick_geom_
 !!$      procedure :: make_StateSpec
 !!$      procedure :: make_BundleSpec
 !!$      procedure :: initialize
+      procedure :: initialize
    end type VariableSpec
 
    interface VariableSpec
@@ -190,55 +185,56 @@ function make_virtualPt(this) result(v_pt)
       end if
    end function make_virtualPt
 
+   !wdb fixme deleteme This is obsolete.
    ! This implementation ensures that an object is at least created
    ! even if failures are encountered.  This is necessary for
    ! robust error handling upstream.
-   function make_ItemSpec_new(this, geom, vertical_grid, registry, rc) result(item_spec)
-      class(StateItemSpec), allocatable :: item_spec
-      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
-      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
-      type(StateRegistry), intent(in) :: registry
-      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-
-      integer :: status
-      type(ActualPtVector) :: dependencies
-      type(ESMF_Geom), allocatable :: geom_local
-
-      call this%pick_geom_(geom, geom_local, _RC)
-
-      select case (this%itemtype%ot)
-      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELD%ot)
-         allocate(FieldSpec::item_spec)
-         item_spec = this%make_FieldSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
+!   function make_ItemSpec_new(this, geom, vertical_grid, registry, rc) result(item_spec)
+!      class(StateItemSpec), allocatable :: item_spec
+!      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+!      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+!      type(StateRegistry), intent(in) :: registry
+!      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+!
+!      integer :: status
+!      type(ActualPtVector) :: dependencies
+!      type(ESMF_Geom), allocatable :: geom_local
+!
+!      call this%pick_geom_(geom, geom_local, _RC)
+!
+!      select case (this%itemtype%ot)
+!      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELD%ot)
+!         allocate(FieldSpec::item_spec)
+!         item_spec = this%make_FieldSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
 !!$      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELDBUNDLE)
 !!$         allocate(FieldBundleSpec::item_spec)
 !!$         item_spec = this%make_FieldBundleSpec(geom, _RC)
-      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_SERVICE%ot)
-         allocate(ServiceSpec::item_spec)
-         item_spec = this%make_ServiceSpec_new(registry, _RC)
-      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_WILDCARD%ot)
-         allocate(WildcardSpec::item_spec)
-         item_spec = this%make_WildcardSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
-      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_BRACKET%ot)
-         allocate(BracketSpec::item_spec)
-         item_spec = this%make_BracketSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
-      case default
-         ! Fail, but still need to allocate a result.
-         allocate(InvalidSpec::item_spec)
-         _FAIL('Unsupported type.')
-      end select
-
-      dependencies = this%make_dependencies(_RC)
-      call item_spec%set_dependencies(dependencies)
-      call item_spec%set_raw_dependencies(this%dependencies)
-
-      if (this%state_intent == ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL) then
-         call item_spec%set_active()
-      end if
-
-      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-   end function make_ItemSpec_new
+!      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_SERVICE%ot)
+!         allocate(ServiceSpec::item_spec)
+!         item_spec = this%make_ServiceSpec_new(registry, _RC)
+!      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_WILDCARD%ot)
+!         allocate(WildcardSpec::item_spec)
+!         item_spec = this%make_WildcardSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
+!      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_BRACKET%ot)
+!         allocate(BracketSpec::item_spec)
+!         item_spec = this%make_BracketSpec(geom_local, vertical_grid,  _RC)
+!      case default
+!         ! Fail, but still need to allocate a result.
+!         allocate(InvalidSpec::item_spec)
+!         _FAIL('Unsupported type.')
+!      end select
+!
+!      dependencies = this%make_dependencies(_RC)
+!      call item_spec%set_dependencies(dependencies)
+!      call item_spec%set_raw_dependencies(this%dependencies)
+!
+!      if (this%state_intent == ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL) then
+!         call item_spec%set_active()
+!      end if
+!
+!      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+!   end function make_ItemSpec_new
  
    subroutine pick_geom_(this, that_geom, geom, rc)
       class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
@@ -257,48 +253,49 @@ subroutine pick_geom_(this, that_geom, geom, rc)
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end subroutine pick_geom_
 
-   function make_BracketSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(bracket_spec)
-      type(BracketSpec) :: bracket_spec
-      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
-      class(VerticalGrid), intent(in) :: vertical_grid
-      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-
-      integer :: status
-      character(:), allocatable :: units
-      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
-
-      if (.not. valid(this)) then
-         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
-      end if
-
-      call fill_units(this, units, _RC)
-
-      field_spec = FieldSpec(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
-           typekind=this%typekind, &
-           standard_name=this%standard_name, long_name=' ', units=units, attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
-
-      
-      bracket_spec = BracketSpec(field_spec, this%bracket_size)
-
-      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-
-   contains
-
-      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
-         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-
-         is_valid = .false. ! unless
-
-         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_BRACKET) return
-         if (.not. allocated(this%standard_name)) return
-         if (.not. allocated(this%bracket_size)) return
-
-         is_valid = .true.
-
-      end function valid
-
-   end function make_BracketSpec
+   !wdb fixme deleteme This is obsolete. Should be moved to constructor/initialize for BracketSpec.
+!   function make_BracketSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(bracket_spec)
+!      type(BracketSpec) :: bracket_spec
+!      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+!      class(VerticalGrid), intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+!      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+!
+!      integer :: status
+!      character(:), allocatable :: units
+!      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
+!
+!      if (.not. valid(this)) then
+!         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
+!      end if
+!
+!      call fill_units(this, units, _RC)
+!
+!      field_spec = FieldSpec(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
+!           typekind=this%typekind, &
+!           standard_name=this%standard_name, long_name=' ', units=units, attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
+!
+!      
+!      bracket_spec = BracketSpec(field_spec, this%bracket_size)
+!
+!      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+!
+!   contains
+!
+!      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
+!         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!
+!         is_valid = .false. ! unless
+!
+!         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_BRACKET) return
+!         if (.not. allocated(this%standard_name)) return
+!         if (.not. allocated(this%bracket_size)) return
+!
+!         is_valid = .true.
+!
+!      end function valid
+!
+!   end function make_BracketSpec
 
    subroutine fill_units(this, units, rc)
       class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
@@ -324,122 +321,125 @@ subroutine fill_units(this, units, rc)
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end subroutine fill_units
 
-   function make_FieldSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(field_spec)
-      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
-      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
-      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
-      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-
-      integer :: status
-      character(:), allocatable :: units
-
-      if (.not. valid(this)) then
-         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
-      end if
-
-      _ASSERT(this%vertical_dim_spec /= VERTICAL_DIM_UNKNOWN, 'must provide a vertical dim spec')
-      call fill_units(this, units, _RC)
-
-      field_spec = FieldSpec(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
-           typekind=this%typekind, &
-           standard_name=this%standard_name, long_name=' ', units=units, attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
-
-      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-
-   contains
-
-      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
-         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-
-         is_valid = .false. ! unless
-
-         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELD) return
+   !wdb fixme deleteme This is obsolete.
+!   function make_FieldSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(field_spec)
+!      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
+!      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+!      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+!      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+!
+!      integer :: status
+!      character(:), allocatable :: units
+!
+!      if (.not. valid(this)) then
+!         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
+!      end if
+!
+!      _ASSERT(this%vertical_dim_spec /= VERTICAL_DIM_UNKNOWN, 'must provide a vertical dim spec')
+!      call fill_units(this, units, _RC)
+!
+!      field_spec = FieldSpec(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
+!           typekind=this%typekind, &
+!           standard_name=this%standard_name, long_name=' ', units=units, attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
+!
+!      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+!
+!   contains
+!
+!      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
+!         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!
+!         is_valid = .false. ! unless
+!
+!         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELD) return
 !#         if (.not. allocated(this%standard_name)) return
-
-         is_valid = .true.
-
-      end function valid
-
-   end function make_FieldSpec
-
+!
+!         is_valid = .true.
+!
+!      end function valid
+!
+!   end function make_FieldSpec
+
+   !wdb fixme deleteme This needs to be moved to constructor/initialize for ServiceSpec.
    ! ------
    ! ServiceSpec needs reference to the specs of the fields that are to be
    ! handled by the service.   Shallow copy of these will appear in the FieldBundle in the
    ! import state of the requesting gridcomp.
    ! ------
-   function make_ServiceSpec_new(this, registry, rc) result(service_spec)
-      type(ServiceSpec) :: service_spec
-      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-      type(StateRegistry), target, intent(in) :: registry
-      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-
-      integer :: status
-      integer :: i, n
-      type(StateItemSpecPtr), allocatable :: specs(:)
-      type(VirtualConnectionPt) :: v_pt
-      type(StateItemExtension), pointer :: primary
-
-      if (.not. valid(this)) then
-         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
-      end if
-
-      n = this%service_items%size()
-      allocate(specs(n))
-
-      do i = 1, n
-         v_pt = VirtualConnectionPt(ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL, this%service_items%of(i))
-         ! Internal items are always unique and "primary" (owned by user)
-         primary => registry%get_primary_extension(v_pt, _RC)
-         specs(i)%ptr => primary%get_spec()
-      end do
-      service_spec = ServiceSpec(specs)
-
-      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-
-   contains
-
-      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
-         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-
-         is_valid = .false. ! unless
-         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_SERVICE) return
-         is_valid = .true.
-         
-      end function valid
-
-   end function make_ServiceSpec_new
-
-    function make_WildcardSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(wildcard_spec)
-      type(WildcardSpec) :: wildcard_spec
-      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
-      class(VerticalGrid), intent(in) :: vertical_grid
-      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
-
-      integer :: status
-      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
-
-      field_spec = new_FieldSpec_geom(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, &
-           vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, typekind=this%typekind, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
-           attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
-      wildcard_spec = WildCardSpec(field_spec)
-
-      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
-   contains
-
-      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
-         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
-         
-         is_valid = .false. ! unless
-         if (allocated(this%standard_name)) return
-         if (allocated(this%units)) return ! maybe this can be relaxed - match only thisgs that have same units?
-         if (this%attributes%size() > 0) return
-         if (allocated(this%default_value)) return
-         is_valid = .true.
-         
-      end function valid
-   end function make_WildcardSpec
+!   function make_ServiceSpec_new(this, registry, rc) result(service_spec)
+!      type(ServiceSpec) :: service_spec
+!      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!      type(StateRegistry), target, intent(in) :: registry
+!      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+!
+!      integer :: status
+!      integer :: i, n
+!      type(StateItemSpecPtr), allocatable :: specs(:)
+!      type(VirtualConnectionPt) :: v_pt
+!      type(StateItemExtension), pointer :: primary
+!
+!      if (.not. valid(this)) then
+!         _RETURN(_FAILURE)
+!      end if
+!
+!      n = this%service_items%size()
+!      allocate(specs(n))
+!
+!      do i = 1, n
+!         v_pt = VirtualConnectionPt(ESMF_STATEINTENT_INTERNAL, this%service_items%of(i))
+!         ! Internal items are always unique and "primary" (owned by user)
+!         primary => registry%get_primary_extension(v_pt, _RC)
+!         specs(i)%ptr => primary%get_spec()
+!      end do
+!      service_spec = ServiceSpec(specs)
+!
+!      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+!
+!   contains
+!
+!      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
+!         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!
+!         is_valid = .false. ! unless
+!         if (.not. this%itemtype == MAPL_STATEITEM_SERVICE) return
+!         is_valid = .true.
+!         
+!      end function valid
+!
+!   end function make_ServiceSpec_new
+
+   !wdb fixme deleteme This is obsolete. Needs to move to constructor/initialize for WildcardSpec.
+!    function make_WildcardSpec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc) result(wildcard_spec)
+!      type(WildcardSpec) :: wildcard_spec
+!      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+!      class(VerticalGrid), intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+!      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+!
+!      integer :: status
+!      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
+!
+!      field_spec = new_FieldSpec_geom(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vertical_grid, &
+!           vertical_dim_spec=this%vertical_dim_spec, typekind=this%typekind, ungridded_dims=this%ungridded_dims, &
+!           attributes=this%attributes, default_value=this%default_value)
+!      wildcard_spec = WildCardSpec(field_spec)
+!
+!      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+!   contains
+!
+!      logical function valid(this) result(is_valid)
+!         class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: this
+!         
+!         is_valid = .false. ! unless
+!         if (allocated(this%standard_name)) return
+!         if (allocated(this%units)) return ! maybe this can be relaxed - match only thisgs that have same units?
+!         if (this%attributes%size() > 0) return
+!         if (allocated(this%default_value)) return
+!         is_valid = .true.
+!         
+!      end function valid
+!   end function make_WildcardSpec
 
    function make_dependencies(this, rc) result(dependencies)
       type(ActualPtVector) :: dependencies
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/WildcardSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/WildcardSpec.F90
index 65fbf6706022..bba9abfc569c 100644
--- a/generic3g/specs/WildcardSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/specs/WildcardSpec.F90
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ module mapl3g_WildcardSpec
    use mapl3g_NullAction
    use mapl_ErrorHandling
    use mapl_KeywordEnforcer
+   use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
    use esmf
    use pFlogger
 
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ module mapl3g_WildcardSpec
       procedure :: add_to_state
       procedure :: add_to_bundle
       procedure :: extension_cost
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_wildcard_spec
 
    end type WildcardSpec
 
@@ -234,4 +236,17 @@ integer function extension_cost(this, src_spec, rc) result(cost)
       _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
    end function extension_cost
 
+   subroutine initialize_wildcard_spec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(WildcardSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+
+      integer :: status
+
+      call this%reference_spec%initialize(geom, vertical_grid, _RC)
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+   end subroutine initialize_wildcard_spec
+
 end module mapl3g_WildcardSpec
diff --git a/generic3g/specs/make_itemSpec.F90 b/generic3g/specs/make_itemSpec.F90
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..920eff00c930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/generic3g/specs/make_itemSpec.F90
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+#include "MAPL_Generic.h"
+
+module mapl3g_make_itemSpec
+   use mapl3g_StateItemSpec
+   use mapl3g_StateItem
+   use mapl3g_FieldSpec, only: FieldSpec
+   use mapl3g_ServiceSpec, only: ServiceSpec
+   use mapl3g_WildcardSpec, only: WildcardSpec
+   use mapl3g_BracketSpec, only: BracketSpec
+   use mapl3g_StateSpec, only: StateSpec
+   use mapl3g_InvalidSpec, only: InvalidSpec
+   use mapl3g_StateRegistry, only: StateRegistry
+   use mapl_ErrorHandling
+   implicit none
+   private
+   public :: make_ItemSpec
+
+contains
+
+   function make_itemSpec(variable_spec, registry, rc) result(item_spec)
+      use mapl3g_VariableSpec, only: VariableSpec
+      class(StateItemSpec), allocatable :: item_spec
+      class(VariableSpec), intent(in) :: variable_spec
+      type(StateRegistry), target, intent(in) :: registry
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+
+      integer :: status
+      type(FieldSpec) :: field_spec
+
+      select case (variable_spec%itemtype%ot)
+      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_FIELD%ot)
+         allocate(FieldSpec :: item_spec)
+         item_spec = FieldSpec(variable_spec)
+      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_SERVICE%ot)
+         allocate(ServiceSpec :: item_spec)
+         item_spec = ServiceSpec(variable_spec, registry)
+      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_WILDCARD%ot)
+         allocate(WildcardSpec :: item_spec)
+         field_spec = FieldSpec(variable_spec)
+         item_spec = WildcardSpec(field_spec)
+      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_BRACKET%ot)
+         allocate(BracketSpec :: item_spec)
+         field_spec = FieldSpec(variable_spec)
+         item_spec = BracketSpec(field_spec, variable_spec%bracket_size)
+!#      case (MAPL_STATEITEM_STATE%ot)
+!#         allocate(StateSpec :: item_spec)
+      case default
+         allocate(InvalidSpec :: item_spec)
+         _FAIL('Unsupported type.')
+      end select
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+
+   end function make_itemSpec
+
+end module mapl3g_make_itemSpec
diff --git a/generic3g/tests/MockItemSpec.F90 b/generic3g/tests/MockItemSpec.F90
index 56b5afa3a8fd..ee171eb89280 100644
--- a/generic3g/tests/MockItemSpec.F90
+++ b/generic3g/tests/MockItemSpec.F90
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ module MockItemSpecMod
    use mapl3g_ActualPtVector
    use mapl3g_ExtensionAction
    use mapl3g_NullAction
+   use mapl3g_VerticalGrid
    use mapl_ErrorHandling
    use mapl_KeywordEnforcer
    use esmf
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ module MockItemSpecMod
       procedure :: create
       procedure :: destroy
       procedure :: allocate
+      procedure :: initialize => initialize_mockspec
 
       procedure :: connect_to
       procedure :: can_connect_to
@@ -62,6 +64,15 @@ function new_MockItemSpec(name, subtype) result(spec)
 
    end function new_MockItemSpec
 
+   subroutine initialize_mockspec(this, geom, vertical_grid, rc)
+      class(MockItemSpec), intent(inout) :: this
+      type(ESMF_Geom), optional, intent(in) :: geom
+      class(VerticalGrid), optional, intent(in) :: vertical_grid
+      integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
+
+      _RETURN(_SUCCESS)
+   end subroutine initialize_mockspec
+
    subroutine create(this, rc)
       class(MockItemSpec), intent(inout) :: this
       integer, optional, intent(out) :: rc
diff --git a/generic3g/tests/Test_ModelVerticalGrid.pf b/generic3g/tests/Test_ModelVerticalGrid.pf
index e71e92a8f10f..253df932c6be 100644
--- a/generic3g/tests/Test_ModelVerticalGrid.pf
+++ b/generic3g/tests/Test_ModelVerticalGrid.pf
@@ -19,13 +19,14 @@ module Test_ModelVerticalGrid
    use mapl3g_ComponentDriverVector
    use mapl3g_ComponentDriverPtrVector
    use mapl3g_MultiState
+   use mapl3g_make_ItemSpec
    use mapl3g_geom_mgr
    use mapl3g_CouplerMetaComponent, only: GENERIC_COUPLER_UPDATE
    use esmf
    ! testing framework
    use ESMF_TestMethod_mod
    use funit
-   implicit none
+   implicit none (type, external)
 
    integer, parameter :: IM=6, JM=7, LM=3
 
@@ -64,8 +65,10 @@ contains
            units='hPa', &
            vertical_dim_spec=VERTICAL_DIM_EDGE, &
            default_value=3.)
-     allocate(ple_spec, source=var_spec%make_itemSpec(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vgrid, registry=r, rc=status))
+     allocate(ple_spec, source=make_itemSpec(var_spec, r, rc=status))
      _VERIFY(status)
+     call ple_spec%initialize(geom=geom, vertical_grid=vgrid, _RC)
+
       call r%add_primary_spec(ple_pt, ple_spec)
 
       extension => r%get_primary_extension(ple_pt, _RC)