THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, RAY MABUS, SPOKE AT AN ALL HANDS CALL HELD AT THE FLEET THEATER ON FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, JAPAN.

HE TOUCHED ON SEVERAL TOPICS THAT EFFECT SAILORS, MARINES AND THIER FAMILIES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOPICS BEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BREATHALYZERS FOR ALL ON-COMING DUTY PERSONNEL.

THE SECRETARY SAID THE TESTS ARE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO AVOIDING THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN COME FROM DRINKING.

"THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF SEXUAL ASSUALT,SUICIDE, SPOUSAL ABUSE, FITNESS FAILURES, IS ALCOHOL. NUMBER ONE. IF WE DIDN'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, SHAME ON US."

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE BREATHALYZERS ARE A NON-PUNITIVE MEASURE AND MEANT TO HELP IDENTIFY REPEAT OFFENDERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF HELP.

"I WANNA STOP IT BEFORE IT BECOMES A CAREER ENDING, CAREER ALTERING, LIFE ALTERING OR LIFE ENDING MATTER."

THE SECRETARY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE NAVY'S GOAL TO HAVE 300 SHIPS IN THE FLEET BY 2019, TO NOT ONLY HELP SUPPORT ITS EVER INCREASING MISSIONS, BUT ALSO HELP DECREASE THE STRESS A HIGH OPERATIONAL TEMPO, PUTS ON FLEET ASSETS.

"WE HAVE TO IN TERMS OF OPERATIONAL TEMPO, BECAUSE WE ARE WEARING FOLKS OUT, WE'RE WEARING EQUIPMENT OUT, WE'RE WEARING PEOPLE OUT AND WE KNOW THE STRESS THAT IT PUTS ON NOT JUST YOU, BUT YOUR FAMILIES."
 
SECRETARY MABUS SAID SAILORS CAN TAKE ASSURANCE IN THE ELIMINATION OF THE ENLISTED RETENTION BOARD AND LEVELING OF MANNING THROUGHOUT THE RATINGS, WHICH IS LEADING TO MUCH HIGHER RETENTION AND PROMOTION RATES.

FOR MORE ON THE 21ST CENTURY SAILOR AND MARINE INITIATIVE, VISIT 21STCENTURY.NAVY.MIL.

FROM WASHINGTON, I'M PETTY OFFICER AMARA TIMBERLAKE.