Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kelby Sanders | 7th Fleet staff and Blue Ridge Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions...... read more read more
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Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared Harral
YOKOSUKA, Japan – U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge’s (LCC 19) Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chapter offers activities and training to Blue Ridge Sailors, empowering them to make smart decisions while on liberty.
CSADD is designed to positively influence Sailors’ behavior by using various resources and tools to promote positive alternatives to how Sailors spend their off duty hours.
“Sailors jump on these opportunities to do something positive within our community,” said USS Blue Ridge/Command 7th Fleet CSADD President, Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Mbalu Fornah. “It’s a real honor to be involved with a group of Sailors who share the same goal of improving the lives of everyone around them.”
According to the Navy CSADD official Facebook page, CSADD’s goal is to encourage positive social interactions and the development of leadership and good decision-making skills among junior Sailors.
Each month CSADD highlights a different topic based upon guidance from the Chief of Naval Operations. These topics range from sexual assault prevention and responsible alcohol use to domestic violence, suicide and drug abuse awareness.
“It’s important to focus on these topics because they affect so many of us,” said Fornah. “We’ve been very successful at motivating a lot of people to get involved.”
Blue Ridge’s chapter of CSADD hosted an open mic night and brunch where Sailors where able to discuss some of these issues with guest speakers.
“It’s a great feeling knowing we are helping people out,” said Damage Controlman Fireman Quinn Jones, who put on a suicide awareness improve skit at the open mic night. “Hopefully my skit can help someone who may be feeling suicidal realize there are people willing to help.”
In addition to spreading awareness, Blue Ridge’s CSADD regularly puts on programs that offer alternatives to Sailors making potentially destructive decisions.
The coalition recently hosted a sports day, offering soccer, football and music, in an effort to reinforce the topic of Sailor resilience and aimed at creating a feeling of belonging for the Sailors during the holiday season.
“Holidays are a hard time of year because not everyone gets to go home and see their families and loved ones,” said USS Blue Ridge/ Command 7th Fleet CSADD Project Coordinator, Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Doug Faulborn. “We get people together, have a good time and foster a sense of family.”
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2014 03:24 |
| Story ID: | 149627 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, JP |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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