Posted on 03/05/2012 8:49:32 PM PST by same old song
The Navy will take a more aggressive approach to curbing alcohol and drug abuse and continue moving toward a smoke-free force under initiatives announced this afternoon by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.
In response to concerns about alcohol abuse, particularly among younger sailors and Marines, the department this year will install Breathalyzers on every ship so that crew members coming aboard to work will be tested. Crew members already on board will be randomly tested.
If a sailor is found to be intoxicated, he or she will be subject to counseling and treatment but not formal reprimand or punishment. The machines are intended to help detect problems that can be addressed before alcohol abuse causes a serious career-ending problem.
The department also is beginning a new alcohol education program. Particular attention will be given to younger service members who, Navy officials believe, may misunderstand how long alcohol remains in a person’s system.
The Marines are expected to introduce the Breathalyzers to some units during the year.
The readiness effort also includes stronger discouragements of tobacco use among sailors and Marines. The department is ending the subsidy of cigarettes and other tobacco products sold at base commissaries and exchanges. The Navy is also making available smoking cessation materials to all personnel at no cost.
Navy officials believe that smoking contributes to poor health among active-duty sailors and retirees. They contend that cracking down on the behavior can reduce time lost to sickness and reduce health care expenses.
The new initiatives also include programs to address sexual assault and to begin random testing for spice, an illegal synthetic drug that mimics marijuana.
Mabus’ remarks, made at Norfolk Naval Station aboard the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, were broadcast worldwide through military television and web sites during a special “all hands” call.
Navy officials said that the new effort is intended to “build resiliency and to hone the most combat effective force in the history of the Department of Navy.”
Hard to put that tooth paste back in the tube,huh? :)
Don’t you know it! The risks one takes when posting when half awake.
I’m glad I retired 10 years ago. I wouldn’t last 6 months in today’s navy.
Yeah, then ya realize 300K people are looking at it and you want to find a hole to crawl in. Yep, I think a lot of us have been there. YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ADMIN!!! :)
My father used to sing me to sleep to that song.
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