USS Roosevelt builds toughness and resilience with E-OSC Program

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle Serocki | MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 25, 2022) U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned as Expanded Operational Stress Control Champions, pose for a photo aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), Nov. 25, 2022. Roosevelt, currently attached to the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Danielle Baker/Released)  

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

12.02.2022

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

MEDITERRANEAN SEA – Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) continue to build resilient Sailors through a recent Navy initiative called Expanded Operational Stress Control.
Roosevelt, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is currently on its fourth Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol. Resilience and toughness are important as the crew sustains peak performance.
“FDNF overseas was my first impression of the Navy, and I love the challenges I have faced that have made me a better leader,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Rachell Sandoval, “But when pushing myself to my highest potential I sometimes feel high levels of stress.”
Expanded Operational Stress Control (E-OSC) is a program designed to help Sailors recognize stress in themselves and their shipmates and overcome those challenges using healthy techniques and resources. Roosevelt’s E-OSC team is currently composed of 14 Command Resiliency Team caliber Sailors of all ranks.
“E-OSC is a program that contributes to a culture of excellence - a culture of looking after one another and a culture of understanding. We share coping mechanisms to overcome the natural levels of stress we endure from the perhaps not so ‘normal’ workplace environment of a destroyer,” said Sandoval.
This is exactly what Cmdr. John Mastriani, the ship’s commanding officer, had in mind when he decided to cultivate, promote, and integrate E-OSC into the forward deployed operational setting.
He said of the program, “Having the E-OSC members always available to the crew adds a new tier in our Sailor's continuum of care. Our team looks out for each other and themselves before they are overwhelmed. A high tide lifts all boats – and E-OSC makes every Sailor more ready.”
Becoming an E-OSC Champion presents Sailors with a unique opportunity to take part in caring for their shipmates – which is only made possible by having a crew invested in each other’s well-being and success. Roosevelt has historically done this well, and the peer-to-peer element of EOSC has appealed to Sailors from the start.
Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Joshua Gray stated: “The E-OSC Champion is a public position. Whether it is having your name on the POD or wearing the “E” in on your uniform, it is known by everyone in the command Champions represents the E-OSC program.”
The Sailors chosen to be E-OSC Champions are diverse and well-rounded – every Sailor aboard Roosevelt should be able to relate to at least one of the E-OSC Champions and look to them for advice in leadership and resiliency.
“I believe the E-OSC program has helped me personally stay accountable to take care of myself to put myself in the best position to help others,” said CTR1 Joshua Gray. “The last thing I want is for a Sailor to need support and be unable to provide it because I haven't taken care of myself. This program publically acknowledges the Champions, and a positive result of this is that the Champions must keep themselves within the E-OSC standards.”
From stress recognition to healthy coping strategies and meditation practices, E-OSC Champions onboard Roosevelt make a difference every day in maintaining an overall culture of excellence. This positive, tight knit community onboard is one key to Roosevelt’s continued high performance and success.
USS Roosevelt, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, began its fourth Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol Sept. 27 in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2022
• Date Posted: 12.13.2022 05:52
• Story ID: 434348
• Location: MEDITERRANEAN SEA