GW CSADD promotes positive peer pressure

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON , TIMOR SEA

07.16.2015

Courtesy Story

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

By Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric S. Brann,
USS George Washington Public Affairs

TIMOR SEA – Members of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) reach out and engage junior Sailors to participate in events that promote good decision-making.

CSADD is tailored toward E-5 and junior Sailors ages 18 to 26 and creates leadership opportunities for Sailors organizing social networks within the crew, producing visual messages, promoting community involvement and hosting recreational events.

“CSADD is by far the best way to connect to today’s Sailors,” said George Washington’s Command Master Chief Jason Haka. “It’s a peer-mentoring group led by Sailors.”

George Washington’s award-winning CSADD chapter hosts events while underway and when in port. While in port, they provide special events for Sailors and local communities within the ship’s area of responsibility. Such events include: free bowling, free movie nights at the base theater, monthly base and beach clean ups and feed the homeless food drives.

“My first experience with CSADD was to visit an orphanage where we provided donations and played with the kids,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Nathaniel Kelly, from San Jose, Calif., and George Washington’s CSADD president. “I liked the program so much that I decided to become an officer in the chapter. I want people to have fun in port or when we are underway, and I want them to be safe.”

Underway events range from ice cream socials to pies-in-the-face.
“We work closely with Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) to host games and events,” said Religious Program Specialist Seaman Kevin Miller, from New York City. “We had a sweets social just before our recent port visit and we are hoping to have another one very soon.”

There are six officers in the CSADD council and approximately 300 members on board.

“There are a lot of exclusive benefits to being part of CSADD: leadership opportunities, volunteer hours, trips only for CSADD members, discounts to events, free movies and knowing that you are putting positive peer pressure on other Sailors to have fun in a safe manner,” said Miller. “The benefits are really in the way you feel as a person with the difference you make. That is what CSADD is all about: making a difference while having fun.”

According to Kelly, the CSADD council is also working on putting a few events together in preparation for the ship’s transition during the hull swap later this year.

George Washington’s CSADD won the 2013 and 2014 Chapter of the Year awards against other at-sea commands across the Navy. Winning the award requires submitting a package that highlights each organization’s abilities and contribution to the CSADD message.

“I am very proud of our CSADD. In two of the last three years they have won CSADD chapter of the year,” said Haka. “It’s because they think of a great idea, plan it and then execute it. I am proud of what they do and I am proud there are so many junior Sailors who are executing these big events. They help the crew avoid making destructive decisions.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.

• Date Taken: 07.16.2015
• Date Posted: 07.17.2015 04:42
• Story ID: 170178
• Location: USS GEORGE WASHINGTON , TIMOR SEA
• Hometown: NEW YORK, NY, US