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Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David A. Cox
EAST CHINA SEA - On the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106), junior Sailors looking for success are making the decision to step up and get involved with the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD).
The ship’s CSADD program has approximately 30 members who meet twice a week and discuss programs geared toward getting the crew involved in upcoming port visits to help maximize their time, fun, and keep them out of trouble.
According to Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Steven Tep, CSADD member, there is a misconception that CSADD is like Arrive Alive, a navy program to encourage responsible drinking, while also offering options for safe passage home.
“Our primary goal is to offer choices and prevent people from even getting to the point of needing a ride,” he said.
The group focuses on single Sailors, E-5 and below, and provides free or discounted event tickets while in homeport.
“Junior Sailors don’t have a lot of money, so they don’t have many options [on liberty],”said Tep.
Tep has been involved with CSADD since reporting to the ship and believes CSADD has helped him discover aspects of being a Sailor that he otherwise would not have known about.
“Being a member of CSADD has enabled me to grow on a personal level,” added Tep. “It’s helped me be able to work out differences with people that aren’t always easy to get along with, and helped me establish good time management.”
Chief Information Systems Technician Kareem Henry explains that the organization tries to de-glamorize alcohol and other destructive behavior, and provide Sailors with a means to participate in community service events.
Sailors looking to get involved on their ship and plan and participate in fun, safe activities, can look into CSADD’s many different events, which happen both at sea and in port.
“We are actively recruiting, looking for Sailors with ideas and talent such as artists or Sailors who are good with media and advertising,” said Henry. “Some events to look forward to while underway include pizza and movie nights and ice cream socials.”
On a ship with over 300 crew members, some Sailors might feel like their voices will not get heard if they speak out or pitch an idea. Tep says that isn’t the case with CSADD.
“If somebody wants to have a say in what goes on, this is their chance to ensure programs they want to see at the command get [a voice] and maybe even get implemented,” said Tep. “It is a fun, engaging experience, and everybody should get involved.”
For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/USS-STOCKDALE-DDG-106 or http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg106/Pages/default.aspx.
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2016 17:55 |
| Story ID: | 193619 |
| Location: | USS STOCKDALE, EAST CHINA SEA |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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