Members of Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) prepare for the upcoming move from Norfolk Naval Station to Newport News Shipyard for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH).

CSADD's mission is to create a culture in which shipmates help shipmates maintain a course of success through good decision making.

George Washington's CSADD group met to discuss ways to prevent fellow Sailors from making choices that could negatively impact their naval careers.

"CSADD is one of the top programs that the command has in terms of visibility," said Chief Navy Counselor Nickole Palmore-Seay, chief petty officer mentor for CSADD. "We're trying to bring positivity to the command by informing our shipmates that there are other things to do off the ship and off the base that are safe but entertaining."

The meeting focused on CSADD leadership roles, from president to secretary, as well as how CSADD could increase membership into the program.

"Today's meeting was to start fresh," said Legalman 2nd Class Nicole Lopez, current president of CSADD. "This was our first meeting to revamp CSADD and to discuss ways we can prepare ourselves and shipmates as we get ready to enter the yards."

When the ship enters the yard period, many Sailors will have more free time than they are used to, which could lead to bad decisions.

"We know that CSADD is going to be a positive influence on our Sailors to try and deter them from making bad decisions," said Lopez. "Be that leader. I am a firm believer that it only takes one person to make a positive change, and that change can happen simply by you joining the group."

In the spirit of shipmates helping shipmates, the Sailors discussed strategies to promote community relations and recreational events to encourage fellow shipmates to make positive choices.

"We want to make the Sailors understand who we are," said Palmore-Seay. "We want everyone to know what roles CSADD plays for the command and how what we do is a really positive thing for everyone who is involved; it really is a great program."

CSADD Sailors reinforce both the core principles of the Navy and the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. The 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Navy and Marine Corps.

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