The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) Unit (CSCSU) Dam Neck staff and students recently participated in the Standard of Conduct training onboard Dam Neck Oceana Annex.

The training, sponsored by Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), focused on increasing suicide prevention and awareness and encouraging shipmates to share their personal experiences. In addition, representatives from Fleet and Family Services were present to provide a plethora of information and tools to help Sailors navigate through hardships and other life stressors.

Capt. John Vliet, CSCSU Dam Neck's commanding officer, stressed the importance of taking care of yourself and your fellow shipmates.

"We not only need to take care of each other and act upon those first few warning signs, but we also need to care for ourselves," Vliet explained. "Only you know how you are feeling and there is no shame in asking for help."

Chief Petty Officer Josue Chevalier stated that the commanding officer's talking points were spot on.

"Capt. Vliet's remarks hit home," said Chevalier. "An acknowledgement of my Sailor made a difference in the member deciding not to commit suicide. I had no idea until the Sailor came back months later to thank me for acknowledging her. All it took was me asking her a simple question."

After the main presentation, the audience was asked to stand up if they knew anyone who committed suicide. The number of people who stood was eye-opening.

"The command has conducted this training multiple times and it is easy to get lost in the statistics but when quite a few people I knew stood up and shared the names of those they have lost to suicide, the training became more personal," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Christopher Gilbert.

After training concluded, a silent walk commenced. The walk provided time to remember those who committed suicide, reflect on one's own feelings and thoughts, and ways forward to help fellow shipmates.

"If you don't think anyone cares, please know that we do and there are many ways to seek help," Vliet said. "Please talk with any of my staff, Chief James Weber, our command's suicide prevention coordinator, Fleet and Family Services, or if you don't feel comfortable talking with a person face to face, please call the prevention hotline, 1(800) 273-TALK."

CSCS' mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites and detachments, including CSCS Unit Dam Neck, located throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Japan and manages and operates a Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) training division in Rota, Spain. CSCS provides over 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains 37,400 Sailors a year. CSCS delivers specialized training for Officer and Enlisted Sailors required to tactically operate, maintain, and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors, and command and control systems utilized in today's Navy.

For information on the Center for Surface Combat System, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cscs/

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