Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes' Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) Sailors were named the 2016 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award winners "Peer-to-Peer" Shore for the U.S. Navy.

Bob Feller served on battleship USS Alabama (BB 60), and while doing so, the ship fought in both World War II theaters and earned eight battle stars. Feller was released from active duty after achieving the rank of chief petty officer, and is the only chief petty officer in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I would like to emphasize the importance of the award itself," said Capt. John Vliet, TSC commanding officer. "Bob Feller demonstrated a noble act of sacrifice by enlisting in the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, while he was playing Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first American professional athlete to enlist at the time -- a truly great American. The importance of TSC CSADD is their team spirit that embraces our command goals by ensuring 21st Century Sailors are mission-ready. CSADD accomplishes this through a hands-on approach in peer-to-peer mentoring for all Sailors. Their achievement is very well deserved and I am very, very proud of them."

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was established in 2013 to recognize one active MLB player, one chief petty officer, and one member of the MLB HOF who exhibit the same values, integrity, and dedication to service that Feller displayed.

Recognition is now also given to a group of Sailors, 18-25 years old, who have worked together as a team to promote peer-to-peer mentorship and reduce Sailors' destructive decision making and behavior.

TSC's CSADD Sailors were recognized for their superior leadership through volunteer service and selfless commitment to the benefit of the community and success of their fellow shipmates.

Throughout the year the group has logged 3,358 hours volunteering for a number of organizations includuing Most Blessed Trinity Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Lake County Forest Preserve, Capt. James H. Lovell Federal Health Care Center Veteran Bingo Program, Honor Flight Chicago, and the USO. They have also provides monthly training to 4,500 students through training videos and key opportunities for Sailors to take charge and lead by example, and nearly 8,200 off-duty hours hosting 186 on-base activities events for students enforcing the motto "Shipmates Helping Shipmates."

"We were very excited when we learned we won the award," said Seaman Darrell Green, president of CSADD. "Looking back at the volunteer work that we did to be recognized, it didn't seem like work; we had fun being helpful. We volunteered to better the area we live in. Being recognized with the Bob Feller Award tells us that the job we are doing is making a difference, and that makes us feel good."

TSC Command Master Chief Jeffrey Kirby has worked with the group for three years. According to him, he is amazed with their professionalism, military bearing, respect and, most importantly, creativity.

"I couldn't be more proud of the CSADD chapter here in Great Lakes," Kirby said. "They are always looking for new ways to keep the student population energized and active in their off-duty hours, providing them so many options vice putting alcohol at the center of their liberty time. They truly care about each other and the organization. To them, being a part of CSADD leadership is their way of giving back to their fellow Sailors. These young men and women can brief admirals easily about what they do and answer prospective commanding officers' questions about how to bring this program effectively to the fleet with ease. It's inspiring."

TSC's CSADD leadership will be recognized during an award ceremony slated for Nov. 17 at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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