Stress Navigation Plans Help Sailors Get Ahead of Stress

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- To assist Sailors, families and the Navy community with getting ahead of stress and fostering readiness before a crisis occurs, Navy Suicide Prevention and Operational Stress Control Programs, Navy Behavioral Health, have introduced "Stress Navigation Plans."

Sometimes finding a way to de-stress can be stressful itself if we don't know what to do or where to go. Readiness doesn't begin at the time of a crisis. Readiness starts by having the tools to help us respond to unforeseen circumstances swiftly and with clarity-and knowing where those tools are, according to Capt. Kurt Scott, director, Navy Behavioral Health Program.

"We can't always plan for life's challenges," said Scott. "But we can be ready for the stress from these challenges by identifying our resources and practices for navigating these challenges while we're still healthy. By personalizing a stress navigation plan, you'll know where your 'life jackets' are in case of an emergency. It only took me fifteen minutes, and I've got my stress plan here in my office for quick access."

Stress is a part of everyday life, especially in the Navy, according to Scott. Having a plan ahead of time will help stop stress issues from becoming stress problems. Stress navigation plans are simple templates that can be personalized with practices for navigating stress while we're still emotionally healthy, which be a life-saving drill if a crisis arises.

 The template is available on Navy Personnel Command web site and includes fields to personalize with names, contact numbers and personal practices for dealing with a variety of challenges in life, from work stress to relationship issues. Taking a moment to personalize a Stress Navigation Plan now may have a significant impact later by helping to prevent future obstacles from compounding and leading to negative stress reactions.

According to instructions on the Suicide Prevention website, Stress Navigation Plans do not have to be shared or revealed to anyone, but should be in a readily accessible place for personal use in times of crisis. Anyone can use a Stress Navigation Plan. Encourage your shipmates, peers, family and community members to personalize theirs and take the stress out of navigating stress. Life counts!

Navy Personnel Command Leaders to Meet with Pensacola-based Sailors

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Representatives from Navy Personnel Command's fleet engagement team will be in Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 28-30 to meet with Sailors and discuss the latest personnel policies and initiatives impacting the fleet.

The team will discuss recently announced initiatives like Limited Directed Detailing, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Early Return to Sea, as well as Voluntary Sea Duty Program, all designed to ensure high-priority billets at sea are manned.

"The visit is intended to ensure command leadership teams understand current manpower programs as well as promote the professional and personal development of our Sailors," said Capt. Steve Holmes, Bureau of Naval Personnel, director, community management branch. "These visits are also an excellent opportunity to get feedback directly from the fleet."

Additional briefs will focus on Navy force management initiatives including Fleet Ride Perform-to-Serve (FR-PTS), enlisted and officer community health and recent changes to Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to review and apply for permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

The changes to CMS/ID are part of the Navy's coordinated effort to aggressively address gaps at sea and place Sailors with the right experience levels and skill sets into high-priority Fleet billets. Detailers will fill all advertised billets each cycle so it is important that Sailors understand how this may impact them.

The team will conduct briefs at Corry Station, Aug. 28; Naval Air Station Pensacola (NAS), Aug. 29 and 30. Sailors should contact their command career counselor for times and locations. Spouses are also encouraged to attend. The team will present a Command Ombudsman/Spouse Career Information brief Aug. 29 on board NAS.

"The briefs are designed to provide information needed to make informed career decision. They target leadership, Sailors and spouses to give each the information needed in the current operating environment," said Holmes.

For more information, contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) or via e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.

Navy Personnel Command Leaders to Meet with Norfolk-based Sailors

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Representatives from Navy Personnel Command's fleet engagement team will be in Norfolk, Aug. 13-16 to meet with Sailors and discuss the latest personnel policies and initiatives impacting the fleet.

"The visit is intended to ensure command leadership teams understand current manpower programs as well as promote the professional and personal development of our Sailors," said Capt. Steve Holmes, Bureau of Naval Personnel, director, community management branch. "These visits are also an excellent opportunity to get feedback directly from the fleet."

The team will discuss recently announced initiatives like Limited Directed Detailing, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Early Return to Sea, as well as Voluntary Sea Duty Program, all designed to ensure high-priority billets at sea are manned.

Additional briefs will focus on Navy force management initiatives including Fleet Ride Perform-to-Serve (FR-PTS), enlisted and officer community health and recent changes to Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID) the web-based program enlisted Sailors use to review and apply for permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

The changes to CMS/ID are part of the Navy's coordinated effort to aggressively address gaps at sea and place Sailors with the right experience levels and skill sets into high-priority Fleet billets. Detailers will fill all advertised billets each cycle so it is important that Sailors understand how this may impact them.

The team will conduct briefs at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 13 and 14; Naval Air Station Oceana, Aug. 15; and on board USS Bataan (LHD 5), Aug. 16. Sailors should contact their command career counselor for times and locations.

"The briefs are designed to provide information needed to make informed career decision. They target leadership and Sailors to give each the information needed in the current operating environment," said Holmes.

Spouses are also encouraged to attend. The team will meet with Sailors in Pensacola, Fla. later this month.

For more information, contact the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (827-5672) or via e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

NADAP Seeks Sailors Opinions

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- A Navy-wide survey was launched Aug. 6 to learn more about Sailors' alcohol use and the best ways to communicate abuse prevention and responsible use of alcohol messages, according to the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) Office director.

The survey is completely anonymous, according to Dorice Favorite, director, NADAP program, and will take only five to eight minutes to finish.

"Every Sailor's feedback will be invaluable in helping to shape the messages we create, to determine the appropriate communication tactics, and identify effective tools to use to help prevent alcohol abuse in the Navy," said Dorice Favorite, director, NADAP program.

The "Right Spirit" campaign was created in 1995 and focused on alcohol abuse prevention education, de-glamorization of alcohol use, alternatives to drinking, and clear and enforceable policy guidance from commanders. As a result, the Navy's "responsible use" policy on alcohol has led to an overall steady decline in alcohol use by Sailors.

"It is time to effectively revamp the Navy Right Spirit campaign," said Favorite. "NADAP is conducting qualitative and quantitative research to identify knowledge, attitude, behaviors, and practices associated with alcohol abuse in the Navy. Sailors have changed since we started the "Right Spirit" program and we need a communications campaign that grows with them."

Sailors responses to the survey will help to inform a new social marketing campaign aimed at reducing alcohol abuse in the Navy.

To take the survey, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z3LNH7P.

The survey password is "Navy." The password is case sensitive. For security purposes, participants can only take the survey once from an IP address, which protects the integrity of the data.

The survey will be online until Aug. 27. For more information on NADAP, visit www.npc.navy.mil.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

Navy Weeds Out Users of Designer Drugs

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Navy's implementation of synthetic drug testing for synthetic chemical compounds like "Spice" and "Bath Salts" is helping the service close ranks on Sailors who use these prohibited and dangerous substances, officials said July 2.

"Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse. Drug abuse, including use of designer drugs and synthetic compounds, by members of the Navy is incompatible with high standards of performance, military discipline, and readiness as embodied by of 21st Century Sailors and Marines," said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director, military personnel plans and policy.

Navy reviews its testing of synthetic compounds continuously, and also continually responds to production of new controlled and synthetic compounds, changing testing procedures and pacing the changes being made by producers.

Navy has analyzed more than 3,300 urine samples for synthetic chemical compounds since testing began in March, with 101 samples testing positive. Authorized testing under the synthetic drug testing program is conducted under member consent, command directed, unit and/or subunit sweep.

NCIS will be notified of every positive sample for possible further investigation with a view towards potential disciplinary or adverse administrative action by the service member's command.

Spice is a synthetic chemical compound that is sold as herbal incense and mimics the effects of the drug marijuana. A ban was placed on five synthetic cannabis compounds commonly found in the designer drug Spice, but also sold under different names.

Some of the short-term effects include auditory and visual hallucinations, painless head pressure, panic attacks, time distortion and delirium. Long-term effects from the designer drug can include permanent physical impairment, mental illness or death.

Another synthetic chemical compound, bath salts are sold under the common names: Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Pure Ivory, Purple Wave, Charge+, Ocean Burst, and Sextacy. Bath salts are a potentially addictive powdered substance that is snorted, smoked or injected. They can have an adverse effect on the heart, circulation, nervous system, similar to ecstasy or cocaine, and result in lethal overdose.

The unlawful possession or use by Department of the Navy personnel of controlled substance analogues (designer drugs), natural substances, chemicals wrongfully used as inhalants, propellants, prescribed or over-the-counter medication or pharmaceutical compound with the intent to induce intoxication, excitement or stupefaction of the central nervous system is prohibited via SECNAVINST 5300.28D. Violators are subject to punitive action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 92.

Navy's Synthetic Drug Testing Operating Guide is posted on the Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Office (NADAP) website and contains procedures for commands to request synthetic drug testing and synthetic drug testing information.

The Navy's zero-tolerance policy towards drug use is a key contributor to the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine. To view the guide or for more news from NADAP, visit www.nadap.navy.mil.

Sailors Use Voluntary Sea Duty Program to Shape Career

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Just three months since announced, more than 360 Sailors have applied for the Voluntary Sea Duty Program (VSDP), officials said April 24.

"We're very pleased with the response from the Fleet," said Capt. Kent Miller, director, Enlisted Distribution Division, Navy Personnel Command. "The intent of this program is to focus on improving sea duty manning, with deploying units and Fleet balance being prime considerations."

Announced in NAVADMIN 043/12, Navy established VSDP for highly trained and motivated Sailors to fill critical billets at sea in support of Navy's global mission.

Under the program, Sailors may apply to extend their enlistment in their current sea duty billet beyond their prescribed sea tour, terminate their shore duty early in order to extend their enlistment to obtain new orders to a sea duty billet, or accept back-to-back sea duty orders. The sea duty assignment may be on board ships, squadrons, or other qualified sea duty assignments.

"I thought I would take the opportunity to transfer back to Bangor Submarine Base," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SS) Matthew C. McKinsey, assigned to Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) Whidbey Island. McKinsey's current shore assignment and location of family members require the Sailor, who has served 10 years, to commute two hours a day each way.

Volunteers will be assigned to commands within the same geographic location as the current command if available, providing the benefit of geographic stability for Sailors and family members. The Navy will also consider Sailors' requests for out-of-area moves.

"[VSDP] would allow me to spend more time with my family, increase my financial flexibility and give me a higher sense of job accomplishment by working in my rate and exposure and experience to multiple job tasking," said McKinsey.

Sailors accepted into VSDP will be able to defer their Perform-to-Serve (PTS) window to the minimum obligated service requirement for the orders negotiated, typically 24 months.

"PTS deferment allows VSDP Sailors to extend their current enlistment for orders or extend at their current assignment without a PTS quota," said Miller.

Eligibility criteria for PTS deferment is outlined in the NAVADMIN.

VSDP also provides Sailors a chance to improve their records and increase their competitive edge through sustained superior performance at sea.

"I utilized the Voluntary Sea Duty Program to negotiate for a specific billet," said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/SCW/AW) Shannun La Morte, command career counselor, Navy Information Operations Command Norfolk. "As a single mother of a 12 year old and as an NC, I was aware the type of billet I needed for progression. Thankfully there was a sea billet in the area to accommodate."

Volunteers will not be required to accept a billet they do not desire. The detailers will work with volunteers during two CMS/ID cycles to find desirable orders. If no match is found during this time period, Sailors can reapply.

This program does not change eligibility or benefits for the Sea Duty Incentive Pay Program and Sailors may take advantage of both programs concurrently.

Requests will be accepted until Sept. 30. All 1306/7 requests should be forwarded to Navy Personnel Command via the Chain of Command.

For complete information on eligibility, restrictions and application procedures as well as benefits of VSDP, read NAVADMIN 043/12 at www.npc.navy.mil and speak with your command career counselor.