USS Whidbey Island Promotes Good Health for Sailors, Marines

USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, At Sea (NNS) -- The medical department aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) hosted its annual Health Promotions Fair on the mess decks while underway in the Gulf of Aden, Oct. 21.

The health fair offered more than 10 learning stations covering topics such as healthy eating and dieting, stress management, smoking cessation, and safe sex.

"It's important to keep our Sailors and Marines educated on how to live healthy lifestyles," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Kevin Robinson, one of the health fair coordinators. "The health and fitness of the crew directly affects our mission."

The planning and preparation for the fair started a month ago and included subject matter experts (SME) from several departments aboard Whidbey Island.

"The preparation started when we contacted a select group of people and asked them if they could put together an educational presentation for the health fair," said Robertson. "That way everyone would have enough time to gather enough information for their presentation."

Every learning station at the health fair was chosen to address the main health concerns that Sailors and Marines may face while on deployments.

"Sailors and Marines spend a lot of time working out on deployments and a lot of them take workout supplements," said Machinery Repairman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Lady Milla. "Most Sailors and Marines don't have a lot of knowledge of what they actually put in their system or how it can affect us. The health fair gave me the opportunity to make people more aware of how sometimes supplements can do more harm than help."

The health fair not only offered information on how to improve physical health, it also provided information on how to maintain good mental health while dealing with the stress of a long deployment.

"Spiritual and emotional health along with physical health is important for the total well-being of an individual," said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class (SW/FMF) Michael Willis. "The health fair was a great opportunity to give out bibles and pamphlets on how to deal with depression, addiction, abuse and relationships. You never know when something like that may benefit a crew member who is going through a difficult time."

A SME and brochures were available at each station. The health fair lasted a little more than an hour and a half.

"I think the health fair was very educational for all of us who attended," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Alvera McKnight. "You learn something new every day, and today I learned different ways I can stay healthy."

Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd41/.