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Texas Seabees Train to Eliminate Sexual Assault
Story Number: NNS130427-02
4/27/2013
By Chief Utilitiesman Scott Kristek, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Det Sheppard AFB
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas (NNS) -- Seabees at the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering (CSFE) Detachment at Sheppard Air Force Base, attended Sexual Assault and Alcohol Abuse Awareness training April 12 in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).
Construction Electrician 1st Class (SCW) Marshall Hashe, the Sheppard sexual assault prevention and drug and alcohol prevention advisor (SAPA), provided in-depth training to all Navy personnel at Sheppard AFB.
"It's our job as leaders and mentors to provide to our students with as much information about possible vulnerabilities and risk factors, especially at the start of their careers, so they can identify dangers and possibly intervene to protect themselves or their shipmates" said Hashe.
The Electrical Schoolhouse Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Construction Electrician (SCW) James Harrison, noted that as DAPA, Hashe puts a lot of pride and effort into ensuring students and staff have a firm understanding of the policies, resources and current information available to them.
"We all hope that our students or staff will never have to experience an assault, but know that with proper training like that given by Petty Officer Hashe, they are fully prepared and willing to intervene if they see potential for a situation to arise," said Harrison.
Hashe explained that the irresponsible use of alcohol is a primary factor that often enables the perpetrator of sexual assault to overtake the victim.
"I wanted to make sure the training included alcohol's effects so people can identify when the risk factors increase, as well as the importance of battle buddies to intervene when they see someone losing control of themselves," added Hashe.
Utilitiesman 1st Class Jesse Argenbright, commented that the lecture was time well-spent.
"The SAPR and DAPA training was very informative," said Argenbright," said Argenbright. "It gave us clear guidance and risky behaviors to look out for while on liberty."
Senior Chief Construction Electrician CECS (SCW) Joseph Johnson, the detachment assistant officer in charge commented that the SAAPM activities were an important effort in communicating the Sexual Assault, Prevention and Response (SAPR) message.
"There is zero tolerance for Sexual Assault amongst our military ranks," said Johnson. "We are here to get the word out to our young Seabees so there is no doubt it is unacceptable and any reported and confirmed cases will be dealt with firmly."
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Department of the Navy is working to aggressively to prevent sexual assaults, to support sexual assault victims, and to hold offenders accountable.
Help raise awareness by joining the conversation on social media using #SexualAssault and #SAAPM.
For more information on the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Learning Site Detachment Sheppard Air Force Base, visit CSFE Det SAFB website: https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csfe/sheppard.
For additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website: https://www.netc.navy.mil.
For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.