JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON –
The Navy command with oversight of the instructors and students from the Navy's largest enlisted rating sponsored an event Aug. 28 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston to highlight the pitfalls of drug and alcohol abuse.
The Navy Medicine Training Support Center's Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions hosted an evening talent show attended by more than 300 hospital corps students and instructors, said Petty Officer 1st Class Don Giuy, talent show coordinator and an NMTSC medical laboratory instructor at the Medical Education and Training Campus.
The 18 student performances included dance routines, singing, musical acts and poetry, Giuy said. The talent show was put on to help heighten awareness of the CSADD August campaign theme, "Substance Abuse, Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Awareness."
"The talent show provided entertainment and an opportunity for Sailors to come together and display their personalities and talents," Giuy said. "This resulted in an atmosphere where students could discuss issues that regularly impact Sailors."
The NMTSC CSADD chapter has a reputation for creativity. Giuy said this is due in large part to the founding of the student subcommittee comprised entirely of Sailors from the hospital corpsman student population.
These students attend Hospital Corpsman "A" and "C" schools at METC, alongside their Army and Air Force counterparts.
"The student subcommittee bridges the gap between students and staff members," Giuy said. "It allows for better communication and awareness of the issues that the junior enlisted students feel are important and central to their lives. Additionally, it allows the CSADD to create events the students will appreciate and be enthusiastic about attending."
Performances were judged by three instructors. Between acts, the CSADD Student Subcommittee members delivered statistics and positive messages to the audience. At intermission, three Sailors, serving restriction for alcohol-related incidents, took the stage and described their experiences and the consequences as a result of their actions.
Seaman Jordan Paramore won first place, Seaman Derrick Ash took second and Seaman Robert Hall was third.
NMTSC commanding officer Navy Capt. Joel Roos and Command Master Chief Petty Officer Shanon Best also spoke with the students following the talent show.
Students described the evening as fun, educational and a break from routine.
"The talent show was a lot of fun," said Seaman Kaylin Jones, an occupational therapy "C" school student. "It took my mind off of training and the stressful things related to being a student. The Sailors were more involved and passionate about the training topic. It was nice to hear it from the students, rather than the instructors."
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmin Davila, also an occupational therapy "C" school student, said she enjoyed all the talent and performances, and the instructor interaction with the crowd.
"It was just the whole experience," Davila said. "People were paying better attention. It was not death by PowerPoint. It was better to hear from the students because you know they care and they don't have to do it."
NMTSC is a subordinate command of Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, also based at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. NMETC manages formal Navy Medicine education and training services, and is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global health care network of Navy medical professionals around the world.
Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.