USS Hartford Commended for 1,000 Days Without DUI Incidents
Story Number: NNS091021-10
Release Date: 10/21/2009 5:40:00 AM
By Lt. Patrick Evans, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- USS Hartford (SSN 768) received a squadron Letter of Commendation Oct. 20 for going 1,000 days without any of its nearly 140 Sailors being involved in any driving under the influence (DUI) incidents.
Capt. Robert E. Clark II, Submarine Squadron 4 commodore, presented the commendation to Hartford's crew, which has been DUI-free since Jan. 23, 2007. He also praised the Sailors for "creating a culture and atmosphere that is not about an individual but about the ship."
"You guys take care of each other. On a day to day basis, you prove to the rest of the Navy that the Navy's core values aren't just phrases; they're realities, especially if you have a crew like Hartford that dedicates itself to each other and to the collective whole," said Clark.
Prairie Grove, Ark. native Cmdr. Robert Dunn, Hartford's commanding officer, accepted the commendation on behalf of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
"Although you're giving this to me as the commanding officer, the intrusive peer leadership of the hard-working Sailors makes this possible," said Dunn.
The crew also received a personal message from Submarine Force Commander Vice Adm. John J. Donnelly, calling Hartford "a prime example for the submarine force on how focused effort and deckplate leadership can curb reckless behavior and poor decision making."
"I recognize the fight to prevent DUIs is one of many tasks you undertake which requires constant, intrusive leadership. Hartford's accomplishments in this area are a testament to the crew's professionalism and dedication," wrote Donnelly.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class William Livings, who arrived aboard Hartford after the streak began, said that he is glad to work with his shipmates to continue it.
"We're all looking out for each other. That's because, for the most part, we're all co-workers, but a lot of us are also friends. I think that's a huge part of it," said Livings.
Hartford, the second U.S. naval vessel to be named in honor of Connecticut's capital city, is a Los Angeles class submarine, which is considered the backbone of the submarine force with 45 now in commission. Attack submarines like Hartford are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support Carrier Strike Groups; and engage in mine warfare.
