US Navy announces stress control training program for sailors
In support of the Navy's 21st Century Sailor initiative, NAVADMIN 262/13 announced that starting Jan. 1, sailors will be required to participate in Navy Operational Stress Control (OSC) skills training within the six months prior to deployment, the Navy website said.
According to Rear Adm. Sean S. Buck, director, 21st Century Sailor Office, the training will allow "leaders to be able to assess individual and unit stress, take appropriate actions to mitigate stress issues before they become problematic, and eliminate negative attitudes associated with getting help." Training is delivered by mobile training teams (MTT) that are homeported in both Norfolk, Va. and San Diego.
The OSC program focuses on building resilience and mitigating stress. This training will provide Sailors the skills necessary to maintain readiness and warfighting effectiveness.
"Commanders will schedule specific OSC training for their khaki leadership, and deckplate leaders (E4-E6) within the six months prior to deployment," said Buck. "The OSC MTTs will prioritize and coordinate their schedule so that we meet the six-month objective for the Fleet units getting ready to deploy."
The teams will travel anywhere in the world to deliver the two courses: Navy OSC-Leader (NAVOSC-LEAD) for E7 and above and Navy Deckplate Leader OSC (DPL-OSC) for E4-E6 personnel. The MTTs will consider training underway as an option. MTTs are comprised by a total of six teams - three on the West Coast and three on the East Coast. Each team has three master training specialists.