Rear Adm. Buck, 21st Century Sailor Office, Speaks with NAVSTA Newport Sailors and Leadership

By Bob Krekorian, NAVSTA Newport Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Sean Buck, director, 21st Century Sailor Office, visited Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, April 22, to provide members of command leadership with an update on the activities and progress made within his office.

In attendance were the commanding officers, executive officers, and command master chiefs/senior enlisted leaders from the NAVSTA Newport command, Naval Academy Preparatory School, Center for Service Support, Surface Warfare Officers School, Naval Justice School, Command Leadership School, Officer Training Command, Naval Health Clinic New England, and Navy Supply Corps School.

"I wanted to talk with you about those areas that are within my portfolio of work so that you can begin to be the disciples for me and with me as we talk to the Sailors," Buck said.

Buck said he has learned, after talking with Sailors Navy-wide during the past six months, they have a voracious appetite for information and they are getting it by means of their smart devices rather than the more traditional methods.

"We market the good ideas but I believe the good ideas come from our young Sailors," Buck said. "That audience of young Sailors, young junior Officers, and new chiefs, I like to speak to because they have some good ideas about training and the way forward."

"We, because of our rank, maturity, position, and experience, are in the best position to market great ideas," Buck said.

During his visit, Rear Adm. Buck addressed the students and staff at the Command Leadership School, received an update from the installation's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, met with command staff chaplains and the NAVSTA staff judge advocate (SJA) during a combined Chaplain/SJA call, and addressed members of Senior Enlisted Academy Class 180.

He met with the area Sailors of the Year/Quarter during lunch at Ney Hall galley.

Sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR), suicide prevention, domestic abuse, alcohol abuse prevention, physical fitness, nutrition, and most of the GMT topics are amongst his portfolio of work.

Buck said he is working to build up those areas that contribute to the resiliency of Sailors and their families, and is mindful of those areas that breakdown resiliency.

The physical fitness assessment and the Navy's nutrition programs are positive programs that build resiliency.

Buck said the negative behaviors of sexual assault, suicide, sexual harassment, hazing, fraternization, and alcohol abuse break down resiliency.

"These are destructive behaviors that break down our resiliency," he said. "If you are a participant in these kinds of destructive behaviors, it definitely has an impact on resiliency."

Buck said 2013 was a year that was marked by a huge push in the fleet to make Sailors more aware of sexual assault prevention and to improve the reporting system.

Buck used the analogy of a parent responding to their child who has fallen down and is bleeding.

"The very first thing a parent does is run to the child and pick them up and you console them. You need to respond because they are probably hurting."

"The Navy now has a world class response system and a benchmark to be followed in how we respond to victims," Buck said.

Buck said the increase in awareness of what sexual assault is and the improved response system to sexual assault resulted in a huge push in Sailors coming forward to report it.

"Now that the fleet understands the importance of awareness and response, it's important now to prevent sexual assault," he said.

"The higher numbers of Sailors that are coming forward to report sexual assaults indicate the Sailors now trust you and know that you will do something about it and that you will reach out to them to help when they ask for it," Buck said.

Buck said that one suicide is one too many. "Getting to zero is the only number that counts. "The numbers are declining since 2012, but until we get to zero, it's not good enough," he said.

Buck said a cultural change has brought about how the Navy handles mental health issues. "In the past we would work with mental health providers to help resolve suicidal feelings and stress within the command structure," he said.

"We now are listening to our Sailors who are calling out for help and need to talk with someone," Buck said. "This will help them to become productive team members again and build back their resiliency."

Buck said SAPR and suicide prevention training will continue but the methods of delivery will change in some aspects.

In response to a question about how training is delivered, Buck said there is an on-going effort to consolidate the training and make it more efficient.

"Sailors have told me they want to be able to revisit training in a way that they receive information on smart devices, tablets, and apps," Buck said.

In response to a question about alcohol abuse and underage drinking, Buck said commanders must continue to get the message out about alcohol abuse prevention.

"The 'Keep What You've Earned' campaign has applicability," Buck said.