Tag Archives: stress

MCPON Talks Stress

Posted on July 3, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Recently MCPON (Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy), Rick West released a video on his YouTube channel highlighting the importance of operational stress control.

Stress affects all of us.  The MCPON talks about the signs of too much stress and what to do when you notice those signs in yourself or in your shipmates.  He emphasizes the importance of helping each other and challenges each of us to help, “knock down the barriers that discourage our people [from] seeking help early.”

We encourage you take a moment to watch the video and talk about it with your shipmates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKiuXrnjzf4&feature=plcp

Related links:
MCPON West’s YouTube Channel
MCPON West on Facebook

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Posted in OSC, Resources, Training, Videos

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Navigating the ERB News

Posted on February 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Navy life is exciting but it can also be stressful. Some stress can help us to perform at our peak level, however too much stress can be harmful. Knowing what to expect and where to go for help can ease the negative impact of stress. Looking ahead can help us be better prepared for life’s inevitable challenges.

The recent Enlisted Retention Board results are a case in point. Some Sailors and families are faced with the challenges of leaving the Navy, while others are losing their shipmates and friends. We are all affected. But there is help available. There are some valuable resources available to lessen the impact of uncertainty and help Sailors and families better navigate the ERB process.

The Navy Personnel Command has recently launched a section on their website to focus on the ERB process as part of their resources for those Sailors transitioning to civilian life.

The NPC website highlights:

-       Transition Handbook
-       Transition Resource Guide
-       US Chamber of Commerce Hiring our Heroes Career Fair links
-       and more

When you are feeling the negative affects of stress here are some things you can do that will help:

  1. Exercise
  2. Talk to someone you trust
  3. Eat healthy
  4. Visit your local Fleet and Family Support Center to find out what resources are available to you as you begin your transition
  5. Stay positive

Knowing your options and what resources are available are key to a successful transition. The Navy is taking great care to keep Sailors informed of their options, available resources and new opportunities through promotion of career forums like the recent VA Veteran Career Job Fair and Expo in Washington, DC, as part of the VA for Vets initiative.

“Sailors looking for further transition assistance resources can access TurboTAP at www.TurboTAP.org for 24/7 access to helpful pre-separation and transition guides, employment, education, relocation and benefits checklists and more. Other information about career options and employment opportunities is available at www.careeronestop.org, a Department of Labor website.”

“Our Sailors have served honorably and our Navy is committed to doing all we can to help them and their families successfully transition to the civilian sector,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West.

Complete information about all of the transition assistance resources available through CNIC and FFSC’s worldwide can be found at www.cnic.navy.mil.

More information on ERB transition assistance can be found on the NPC Web page at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/boards/ERB/Pages/TransitionInfo.aspx.

Source articles:
Early Retirement Option Approved for Some ERB-Separating Sailors
Transition Benefits: Many Are Available to All Sailors

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Winter Driving Can Be Stressful

Posted on January 30, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Winter Driving Can Be Stressful
Tips to Help You be Better Prepared

Winter Driving Cartoon provided by military cartoonist Pat Hrabe, creator of TubeDaze.com

Whether you are a veteran of cold winter weather driving or if you are experiencing the hazards of snowy or icy roads for the first time, there are some steps you can take to be better prepared and fight off unwanted stress.

In order to stay safe on the road, the Safety Center advises that Sailors do a number of things to prepare for driving.

 “Sailors need to plan their trips,” said Bonnie Revell, traffic safety specialist. “They need to be aware of the weather, carry emergency kits, blankets, some extra sand in the vehicle (to weigh down the rear) and the most important thing is, slow down for the circumstances that you’ll be driving in.”

Stop and make a plan. Prepare for the unexpected.

10 Winter Driving Tips to Lower Your Stress Level:

-       Determine if you “can travel later?”

-       In addition to an emergency kit, have a shovel, snack, water, gloves, scraper with a brush on one end and flash light

-       Fill up with fuel

-       Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination

-       Don’t drive under extreme fatigue or text while driving

-       Check your windshield wiper blades for wear and tear, replace if necessary

-       Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

-       Avoid sudden breaking, accelerating too quickly or harsh steering in slippery conditions

-       Let someone know you are traveling and what time you expect to arrive

-       If visibility becomes poor find a safe place to pull off the road

Other considerations:
-Be sure to check your installations website or Facebook page for possible installation closures or delays in reporting for non-essential personnel.

- Watch the local news weather report for possible school delays or cancellations.

Driving in adverse weather conditions can be very stressful. Taking the extra time to make a plan and prepare is the key to winter safety risk management and to lowering your stress level.

Source articles:

Combating Complacency in the New Year
Naval Safety Center Warns About Winter Driving Dangers
NSC Offers Winter Safety Tips

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Posted in Cartoons, OSC, Tools

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Rear Admiral Herb offers Stress Tips

Posted on December 23, 2011 by | 1 Comment

In the following video Rear Admiral Martha Herb, Navy Personnel Command Director, offers several tips for Sailors and their families on how to navigate stress.

http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=16576

 

 

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Saying ‘Trust me’ isn’t always enough…

Posted on August 23, 2011 by | Leave a comment

How do you know?  Who told you that?  Where did you get THAT information?  Few of us take news or information at face value anymore.  We often gauge the credibility of information by how we feel about its source.

The Navy Operational Stress Control (OSC) team wants to earn your trust. The OSC Program is based upon feedback from the fleet about the effectiveness of our communications and the value of our training programs. We know from our focus group participants that Sailors and their families want an authoritative source of information that is easily accessible and trustworthy.  Our polls tell us that operational stress in on the rise, and that manning issues and increased mission requirements are major sources of stress. Leaders tell us that new requirements must be balanced with available time and that the psychological health of our force is a priority for mission readiness.

Finding proven ways to better prepare the fleet requires an understanding of the ever changing challenges of military life and the practical application of the latest relevant research.   Through polls, surveys and focus groups, the OSC program continually monitors the pulse of the fleet.  By building collaborative networks of relevant efforts, researchers and concerned leaders, the best information is being shared and used to find ways to build resilience and mitigate the negative effects of excessive stress.

Our upcoming Blog Posts will highlight some of these efforts.  We’ll bring you up to date on the latest Behavioral Health Quick Poll results and what they mean to you.  We’ll give you an interesting review of a sleep study conducted by the Naval Post Graduate School and how changing the watch schedule on one ship made a real difference in Sailors’ effectiveness and outlook.

The Navy’s Operational Stress Control (OSC) Program’s success depends upon you, our Sailors and your families trusting the information we provide.  We want you to have the information you need to understand why the Navy has chosen a particular strategy and help you trust the practical tools and training we recommend.

Write to us and let us know what you think.

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