Story by
MC2 Robert Stirrup
Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

While most installations would be content with going six months without an alcohol-related incident (ARI), that did not satisfy Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor as they have raised the bar, recently going over 400 days without an ARI.

NAVSTA Pearl Harbor broke through the mark on Jan. 30 and is still continuing forward in the right direction.

"This shows buy-in and commitment by our command to take care of each other, to be good neighbors and good stewards, and to ensure we continue to have the best possible place to live, work and play," said Capt. Richard Kitchens, commanding officer of NAVSTA Pearl Harbor.

Kitchens credited NAVSTA Pearl Harbor's success of being ARI-free to leadership at all levels and commitment by active duty service members, civilians and family members.

"You achieve a milestone like this by encouraging good leadership at all levels, especially mid-level leadership. Credit goes to each individual who continues to show personal responsibility," said Kitchens. "Credit also goes to each leader who makes sure everyone has opportunities for personal and professional growth, on and off duty. Those opportunities are definitely available here in Hawaii."

Capt. Lawrence Scruggs, executive officer of NAVSTA Pearl Harbor, said that camaraderie throughout the command has been instrumental in remaining ARI-free.

"Teamwork and camaraderie helps Sailors in the command, from the most senior to the most junior, take care of one another and it is one of the biggest reasons we have been able to have no ARIs," said Scruggs.

Scruggs also pointed out the importance of having strong leadership to help influence Sailors to make right decisions.

"Leadership by example is what is most important," said Scruggs. "The importance of meeting any goal, whether it's remaining ARI-free or completing a mission, stems from good leadership that places an importance on professionalism."

NAVSTA Pearl Harbor Command Master Chief Earl Gray noted that NAVSTA Pearl Harbor Sailors represent more than just their command when it comes to having zero ARIs.

"When Sailors go out in town, they not only represent NAVSTA Pearl Harbor, they represent the entire U.S. Navy," said Gray. "It is important for our personnel to maintain good order and discipline while on liberty. If NAVSTA Pearl Harbor looks good, it has a positive effect and makes the entire Navy look good."

Chief Mineman Bradley Caven, NAVSTA Pearl Harbor's drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA), said the training that Sailors receive during the command indoctrination course about the DAPA program has had a big impact.

"During the indoctrination course, I go over the command's drug and alcohol program with each Sailor and answer any questions that they may have about the DAPA program," said Caven. "Another thing we give Sailors as a backup plan is dash cards, which allow them to take a cab for free back to the base or their home in case their original plans fall through or they don't have enough money to pay for a cab."

Programs such as the personnel readiness summit, held on Jan. 26-29 for personnel assigned to commands in Hawaii, help Sailors focus on alcohol and drug abuse prevention issues along with the myths and truths of alcohol and drugs.

"The principal of the summit is to dispel some of the myths that the Navy has with drugs and alcohol. The program lets Sailors know what happens if they make a specific type of choice and how it will affect their careers," said Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Carl Smith, alcohol and drug control officer for Naval Surface Forces Pacific and instructor of the summit.

"During the summit, we also let commanding officers, executive officers, command master chiefs and other personnel in leadership positions know about new policies and updates in the Navy's drug and alcohol program," Smith explained.

NAVSTA Pearl Harbor is the U.S. Navy's busiest port, completing about 65,000 boat runs and transporting more than 2.4 million visitors and 200,000 vehicles each year. Personnel assigned to NAVSTA Pearl Harbor help transport more than two million visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, manage bachelor's quarters of about 3,000 permanent party and transient personnel, and provide support and service to more than 55,000 people at the Pearl Harbor Fleet and Family Support Center every year.