NMCB 3’s Guam Detachment Site Conducts Suicide Prevention Hike

OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.30.2015

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Gomez    

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

OKINAWA, Japan – Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3’s Guam Detachment participated in a hike to Guam’s historic Fonte Dam in support of Suicide Prevention Month, Sept. 30.

Today among all deaths reported for active duty American military members suicide tops the list. In 2012, a study was released which showed that over the last two decades, veteran suicides have averaged 22 a day, or one every 65 minutes, according to Reuters News.

The Navy recognizes that the stress associated with working for the military is one contributing factor to these numbers, which dwarf those by Americans who have never served in the military. In order to address suicide prevention in an open and inclusive environment, the Navy made September “Suicide Prevention Month” and asked service members to consider “One Small Act” they could commit to in order to reduce the stigma surrounding, and likelihood of suicide in our ranks.

The NMCB 3’ Seabees took it one step further, or about 2-miles further, to raise awareness during their deployment. Hiking, or "Boonie Stomp" as they are called locally, is a popular activity on the island. The members of NMCB 3’s Guam Detachment were joined by two members of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, co-located at Camp Covington, for their boonie stomp. The 14 Seabees collected 22 sets of boots to carry with them; sets of boots were carried because the average of veteran suicides is 22 a day.

The trail to Guam’s historic Fonte Dam had many obstacles including overgrowth, deep mud and sharp declines. As they made their way to the dam they carried their boots, more than once having to ask each other for assistance and constantly calling out dangers has they moved forward.

When they finally arrived at the Fonte Dam, built by the Navy in 1910, no longer in use, the Seabees lined up the boots along the river.

“The 22 sets of boots that were set on the river’s edge was a powerful image,” said Ensign Alexis G. Anderson, officer in charge of Guam detachment site. “It’s hard to think about what that number of suicides means until you see empty boots that could be full.”

Members took a break to talk about why it was easy to take these small acts on a hike, doing something relatively meaningless like carrying extra sets of boots, and while it’s so difficult when you run into a mental health issue.

According to Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Romel Miguel, pride is often on the line when asking for help with something that is difficult to see.

“You don’t want to be seen as weak,” said Miguel. “With a hike it was easy to see the dangers and look out for each other."

At the end of the discussion the group talked about ways of asking for help, and avenues that were available depending on who they were comfortable approaching. The group correctly identified their chain of command, the suicide hotline and fleet and family as available resources, and learned about military ONE Source as an additional option. By the time the hike was completed the entire evolution had lasted about 65 minutes, which means that statistically one veteran had committed suicide during that time, but with the small acts they displayed on their hike. Everyone agreed that the hike would have been easier with fewer boots and with programs like this which drive home the practical small acts Seabees can do to care for one another, they are confident they can help reduce the stigma and the number of boots they bear.

NMCB 3 currently has 13 members deployed to Camp Covington, Naval Base Guam in support of corrective maintenance. Its mission is to support Navy and joint forces throughout the U.S. Pacific Command with construction projects and humanitarian missions in more than 13 different geographical locations.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2015
• Date Posted: 10.06.2015 02:35
• Story ID: 178214
• Location: OKINAWA, JP