Alcohol is NEVER an Excuse

Navy Right Spirit Is Effective

February 25th, 2009

Since 1980, the year I went to boot camp, our military has seen a dramatic reduction of deaths as a result of an accident. The 2007 American War and Military Operations Casualties report provides the actual statistics.

The reductions in death from accidents and accidents in general, I think, can be directly attributed to two policies. First, the drug testing program and the earlier move from forgiveness to zero tolerance. Second is the Navy’s “Right Spirit” campaign and other service leadership initiatives to reduce incidents of alcohol abuse.

The term “drunken Sailor”, thank goodness, is one that doesn’t reflect the Sailor of today. The Navy is a professional organization, one of the United States top employers in my opinion, that truly cares for the well being of its members.

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NAVADMIN 061/09
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SUBJ/ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION//
Rmks/1. Over the past decade we have made significant progress in addressing and preventing alcohol abuse. The “Right Spirit” campaign has been highly successful, as evidenced by a 33 percent reduction in alcohol related incidents and a 23 percent reduction in DUI/DWI incidents for the Navy since FY-04.
2. It is now time to refocus our efforts and reinforce our Navy-wide culture of intolerance of alcohol abuse. Even with the decrease in alcohol related incidents, alcohol is still the common factor in many disciplinary problems and often contributes to the commission of violent crimes, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and Sailor-on-Sailor crimes. In a recent survey on Navy alcohol abuse, 33 percent of enlisted and 24 percent of officers admitted to driving an automobile after drinking too much and 22 percent of respondents admitted to underage drinking. Both of these behaviors are preventable and unacceptable. All hands must understand that alcohol abuse will not be tolerated in the Navy.
3. Today’s Navy requires 100 percent of every Sailor’s mental and physical abilities. While the number of Sailors incurring alcohol-related incidents is low, the impact is significant. Alcohol is never an excuse for irresponsible or illegal behavior. Those who choose to act irresponsibly due to alcohol abuse will be held accountable for their actions. We cannot afford to ignore alcohol abuse at our commands or by our Shipmates. When we see the warning signs that a Shipmate is having problems, we owe it to our Sailors and the Navy to take on the responsibility of intervening.
4. We must foster a command climate which motivates everyone to conduct themselves as professionals and encourages those with alcohol problems to seek help in order to prevent alcohol abuse. Each of us must continue to support the following “Right Spirit” campaign Principles: leadership responsibility, command responsibility, Shipmate responsibility, and personal responsibility. Many commands have been successfully reducing alcohol abuse by de-glamorizing alcohol, using pay grade specific focus groups to promote responsibility, assigning responsibility for command Right Spirit initiatives, and making alcohol abuse prevention an “all-hands” effort. Each of you are part of the solution in combating Navy alcohol abuse. Watch out for your Shipmates, and act responsibly at all times.
5. Further information on the alcohol abuse prevention program is available online at www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/nadap. The Navy’s “Right Spirit” campaign resources or assistance to aid those with alcohol problems can be obtained by contacting SHCM(SW) Roxas at (901) 874-6796/dsn 882 or via e-mail at ronulfo.roxas[at]navy.mil.
6. Released by VADM Mark Ferguson, N1.//
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