Health of the Crew (HotC) is not a new initiative, but it is one that the executive officer of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) is passionate about.

HotC focuses on how Bataan's spectrum of programs can work together so Sailors can achieve their full potential as Naval warriors through the Navy's creed of honor, courage and commitment.

The HotC Horde, as they have been called by the executive officer, consists of the programs on board that are available to Sailors such as financial and health management, suicide prevention, mentorship, the first and second class petty officer's association (FCPOA/SCPOA), chaplain, coalition of Sailors against destructive decisions (CSADD), drug and alcohol program advisor (DAPA), sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR), command managed equal opportunity (CMEO), the deployed resiliency counselor (DRC), family advocacy program (FAP), command master chief (CMC) and the executive officer (XO).

Capt. Corey Keniston, executive officer of Bataan and coordinator of HotC, said that the purpose of the initiative is to create awareness of upcoming events while sharing specific efforts toward the primary goal of the event, and synchronizing with other programs in the spectrum to increase efficiency for support of the event and discover how all of the programs work better in concert with one another when focused on a particular goal.

"The Health of the Crew initiative is directly related to the combat readiness of Bataan," said Keniston. "There are many programs onboard that provide resources and services to assist our Sailors in reaching their full potential as a Sailor, a leader, and a Naval warrior."

Keniston went on to say that by all of the programs sharing and coordinating efforts on specific goals, productivity and effectiveness will increase, making Bataan even better prepared to carry out and complete its missions.

"I think the HotC is an excellent initiative that the executive officer developed [on board]," said Quartermaster 3rd Class Kendria L. Houseworth, secretary of Bataan's CSADD. "It is also a great way to physically see how each organization within the Bataan community correlates with one another."

Houseworth added that the job of the initiative is to highlight the support programs onboard and make Sailors aware of the help they can receive when needed. CSADD is directly involved with HotC because they aim to reach Sailors before they make destructive decision that may have lasting negative impacts on the rest of their military career and lives in general.

"We are a group of motivated Sailors helping Sailors," said Houseworth. "And we are looking for more motivated Sailors to come help expand CSADD."

Ingrid Smith, currently assigned as the DRC aboard Bataan, agrees with Houseworth that this initiative is vital to having well rounded, healthy Sailors who are prepared not only for deployment, but for whatever life has to offer.

"The HotC Horde is an innovative way to bring all of the Sailorization programs together to ensure that important topics are being presented to the crew," said Smith. These programs and topics will educate the Sailor in how to manage their personal and professional lives so they can achieve their full potential."



For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.