The Navy recently reiterated its commitment to building resilience, releasing Operational Stress Control (OSC) Program Instruction (OPNAVINST 6520.1), which details policy, guidelines, procedures and responsibilities to standardize the OSC Program across the Navy.

The OSC Program, part of the 21st Century Sailor Office's (OPNAV N17) Suicide Prevention Branch (OPNAV N171), promotes an understanding of stress, awareness of support resources, and provides practical stress navigation tools to help build resilience of Sailors, families, and commands.

"This instruction was written using a team approach, and relied on the expertise of stakeholders from across the Navy to formalize the guidelines for an effective program," said Capt. Michael Fisher, the director of Operational Stress Control and Suicide Prevention. The instruction, as well as the OSC Program in general, is Sailor-focused and research-informed.

"Since 2008, OSC has teamed with researchers, medical professionals and deck plate leaders, and we've made significant strides in advancing understanding of operational stress," Fisher said. "This instruction represents years of hard work, and the priority that our senior leaders place on the comprehensive well-being of our Sailors."

One way the OSC Program ensures that its efforts meet the needs of Navy stakeholders is through the OSC governance board. The makeup of the governance board, which meets quarterly, is defined in the new instruction. Participants include representatives from Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the Navy Reserve, the Chaplain Corps, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and U.S. Pacific Fleet, Navy Installations Command (NIC) and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA).

The new instruction also outlines OSC training requirements, an integral part of ensuring all Sailors are trained and motivated personally to navigate stress and to assist their shipmates. Per the instruction, Sailors are taught OSC at accession points and military career milestones. Additionally, Sailors can receive instruction through general military training (GMT) requirements, and the work of mobile training teams (MTT), who provide pre-deployment Navy operational stress control (NAVOSC) skills training to commands within six months of deployment.

Leanne Braddock, the MTT program manager, has worked with the OSC Program since its inception. According to Braddock, the instruction represents an important message. "Our top Navy leadership doesn't just want people to get by; they want people to thrive, not just survive. The instruction speaks to how important leaders think our people are."

For more information, visit the OSC blog at navstress.wordpress.com, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navstress, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/navstress. Immediate help can be obtained through the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (Option 1).

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/.