Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), in conjunction with Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, tried a new method to promote good behavior on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31.

Crew members assigned to Shiloh received a text message, sent in an effort to continue the U.S. 7th Fleet initiative to "do your part" in building and maintaining good relations with Japan partners and positive liberty behavior.

The message read, "Happy New Year's Shiloh Hornets! Congrats on an impressive 2016! We wish you a safe and fun celebration tonight. If you are drinking, DON'T drive. Make the responsible decision and call the CDO (command duty officer) or taxi. Please look out for your "shipmates," even if they're from another CTF70 command, and get them and yourselves home safely. You have worked so hard and deserve everything you've earned. The Shiloh Team needs you more than ever in 2017 and we are all looking forward to your safe return. Again, Happy New Year!"

Kurt Dunaway, an information technology systems engineer at CFAY, led the effort to get the message out to the Shiloh crew on New Year's Eve.

He input all phone numbers of the crew into the Emergency Operation Center's (EOC) AtHoc Computer Desktop Notification System (CDNS) in order to reach everyone at once.

CDNS is a notification system which allows the installation to send immediate messages to service members and dependents.

Sailors received the text while out celebrating the New Year with friends and family.

"The message was a great reminder to me that my command cares about my future and the decisions I make each day as a United States Sailor," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Vincent Weimer, of Redlands, California. "It reminded me of who I am and what I stand for as an ambassador of the United States in Japan."

Shiloh is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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