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AWARE Teaches Sailors the Dangers of Alcohol
Story Number: NNS041012-05
Release Date: 10/12/2004 11:45:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Chris Fowler, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS (NNS) -- The Aware program aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) has taught more than 550 Sailors how to recognize and reject the dangers of alcohol abuse.
Aware is a program designed to give Sailors information to make informed decisions about responsible drinking and the associated hazards of alcohol abuse. According to Personnelman 1st Class (SW) Eric Farmer, Stennis’ Aware program coordinator, his goal is that Sailors attending Aware leave with a better understanding of alcoholism and responsible drinking.
“Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually,” Farmer said. “That makes it the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States after tobacco use.”
The program is taught by an all-volunteer group of facilitators. According to Aware facilitator, Legalman 2nd Class Kevin Marshall, at the end of a session, the main point the program tries to get across is that if you are going to drink, do so in moderation and take responsibility for your actions.
“Because of my job in the Legal Department, I’ve seen too many people lose their careers because of alcohol-related incidents,” Marshall said. “One thing many Sailors don’t realize when they are out on liberty [under the buddy system], is that if your buddy gets out of control, you both could be held accountable.”
Airman Tera Boe helps schedule aircraft maintenance for V-2 division’s aircraft launch and recovery equipment office. She attended Aware in order to meet the criteria needed to qualify for overnight liberty privileges while on deployment.
“I went to Aware thinking that the class was going to be very boring and dry,” she said. “But it wasn’t like that. The class is taught with a very interactive approach. It isn’t like attending a lecture. It is more like having a group discussion. I was really impressed, and I came out with a much better understanding of the Navy’s alcohol policies.”
Stennis is scheduled to return home to San Diego in early November 2004 after a routine summer deployment to the Western Pacific. The ship departed May 25 and visited Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Japan, Malaysia and Western Australia. In January 2005, Stennis is scheduled to change homeport to Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Wash.
For related news, visit the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn74.
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