This Reserve Force Weekly, Force 14 - issue 11, discusses Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY) week, the Keep What You've Earned program, and much more.

1. FORCE 14 – 26 April 2013
From the Desk of the Reserve FORCE Master Chief:
What an outstanding Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY) week, VADM Braun and
the OCNR staff with the support of outstanding sponsors AUSN, FRA, GEICO, Navy
League, NERA and USAA hosted the 2012 RSOY competition.
All finalists are winners in every respect:
UT1(SCW) Richard Bloomberg, NMCB 26 (NOSC Battle Creek, MI)
BM1(AW) Lisa A. Dalhouse, NR OSU 0633 (NOSC New York City, NY)
AWS1(NAC/AW) Brian W. DeNike, HSC-3 SAU (COMHELWINGSEAPAC)
MA1 James H. Moss, NR OSU 1353 (NOSC Nashville, TN)
SO1(SCW/SEAL) Dan R. Smith, NR SEAL UNIT 17 (SEAL TEAM SEVENTEEN)
These Sailors, along with their families, mentors and board members met
personally with several senior leaders. They were given tours of the Pentagon,
National Museum of the U.S. Navy, and several other DC landmarks prior to the
announcement luncheon. Each having varied career tracks and multiple
qualifications, these Sailors are a testament to the importance of the continuum of
service. We focused the week’s events on how much the Navy values their
contributions and how much their service matters.
It was encouraging watching these outstanding Shipmates bond over the week
and benefit from sharing their experiences of each other’s career paths. The
intent of this week’s event was to select one Sailor who would represent the Navy
Reserve as the 2012 Reserve Sailor of the Year. This Sailor will be meritoriously
advanced to Chief Petty Officer during MCPONs SOY week in May. At the end of
the week, AWS1(NAC/AW) Brian DeNike was selected as the 2012 Navy Reserve
Sailor of the Year.
Out and about (April):
18-28 Apr: NOSC San Antonio, TX participated in numerous events as part of a
combined Fiesta San Antonio and Navy Week.
19-26 Apr: NOSC Boise, ID staff and local Boise Radio Station 103.3 KISS FM
paused to call awareness to Child Abuse and help spread the message. “It
shouldn't hurt to be a child." This year's plan is to power our child abuse
prevention campaign completely by "human power," i.e. the people of the
Treasure Valley pedaled bikes around the clock for 175 hours.
20 Apr: NOSC El Paso, TX provided volunteers at El Dorado High School to judge
12 school’s NJROTC drill meet.
20 Apr: Sailors from NOSC Springfield, OR Selected Reserves and Full Time
Support, participated in the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Student Veterans
Center at the University of Oregon.
21 Apr: NOSC Ft. Dix, NJ hosted a drawing for two gift baskets with the proceeds
going to the Burlington Crisis Center in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness
Month.
22 Apr: NOSC El Paso, TX participated in an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup of Joe
Battle Blvd.
22 Apr: NOSC Buffalo, NY staff participated in the Earth Day Cleanup at La Salle
Park.

2. FORCE 14 – 26 April 2013
24 Apr: NOSC Tampa, FL volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay
cooking and serving hot meals to the families of hospitalized children at Tampa
General Hospital.
25 Apr: NOSC Baltimore, MD hosted MPFUB ride and NOSC tour for 30 NJROTC
students from Woodlawn High School.
25-26 Apr: VADM Braun was the keynote speaker at the Inaugural National
Research Summit, held at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor Michigan. She
also conducted a visit to NOSC Detroit, MI following the event.
26 Apr: NOSC NYC Sailors were in the MLB Fan Cave.
26-27 Apr: NOSC Richmond, VA is volunteering at NASCAR race.
27 Apr: NOSC Kansas City, MO Honor Guard will provide Color Guard support to
the Sporting Kansas City professional soccer team during their regular season
match against the Portland Timbers. NOSC PAO will provide coverage.
27 Apr: RCC SE Sailors will conduct an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup of Blanding Blvd.
in Orange Park, Fla.
Keep What You’ve Earned:
This month marks the start of Navy’s Keep What You’ve Earned campaign,
emphasizing responsible drinking to avoid jeopardizing your Navy career.
Keeping what you’ve earned extends beyond the achievements distinguished by
collar devices or khakis. It extends beyond the pride of knowing that you are a
part of a small and elite group of Americans even eligible for Naval service.
Keeping what you’ve earned applies to the friendships you’ve cultivated over the
years, the family you’ve built and nurtured, and life as you know it.
Success rarely comes without struggle—or stress. A drink after a long day’s work
may seem to ease your mind, but if excessive drinking is used as a response to
operational stress, disrupted sleep or the pressures of family life, the things that
seem like small problems may intensify. This is particularly true for those who are
working through depression or psychological issues. Using alcohol to ease stress
will inevitably add to it. For many, endangering your health and endangering your
Navy career can also mean placing a strain on the relationships with your loved
ones, and a declining focus on your responsibilities. Put those ingredients
in a martini shaker and you’ll end up with a cocktail of suicide risk factors.
According to research by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, substance abuse is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide
related behaviors. On average, about 33% of Navy suicides involve alcohol. It
impairs judgment and increases impulsivity, leading to the perception that life’s
stressors and challenges are unconquerable. Even if a solution doesn’t seem
visible, getting help can make a difference and save a life. Sailors are some of the
most skilled problem solvers there are, and that well-deserved reputation has
been earned through dedication, strength and resilience. Seeking help is a sign of
strength, and finding effective ways to navigate stress and drink responsibly can
help you Keep What You’ve Earned. For more information, please visit:
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-
npc/support/nadap/campaign_events/drinkresponsibly/Pages/default.aspx
Remember, You Matter, Make a positive impact in someone's life today!