Sailors from Suffolk join CSADD group
Published 10:45 pm Saturday, July 21, 2012
Four U.S. Navy sailors participated recently in the formation of a group aimed at helping their shipmates make positive decisions in all areas of their lives.
Navy Seaman Meghan R. Carter, Petty Officer 1st Class Melvin L. Demiel, Airman Andrew D. O’Connor and Chief Petty Officer Sheu O. Yijsuf joined in the effort aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
The sailors formed CSADD, the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, which is a peer-to-peer mentoring program.
The program was originally created for those in ROTC, JROTC and similar programs. However, it quickly spread throughout the Navy and is now a resource for all sailors.
The purpose of the program is peer mentorship. The goals of its members are to get a group of sailors who, through networking and discussion, can create ways to inform and inspire others to make better decisions, and to equip all hands with the tools they need to make those decisions.
The coalition has set different topics to focus on every month in an effort to raise awareness about these issues. Topics range from addressing problems such as sexual assault to everyday issues such as car buying.
CSADD recently held its first meeting and plans to meet at least once a month throughout the rest of the ship’s deployment.
Carter is the daughter of Suzanne E. Carter and Richard W. Carter, both of Suffolk. She is a 2008 graduate of Kings Fork High School and joined the Navy in March 2010.
Demiel is the son of Cathy D. Jackson and Melvin Demiel, both of Suffolk. He is a 1993 graduate of Nansemond River High School and joined the Navy in June 1993.
O’Connor is the son of Elizabeth Yeomans of Suffolk and Mitchell O’Connor of Manlius, N.Y. He is a 2006 graduate of Nansemond River High School and joined the Navy in March 2009.
Yijsuf is the son of Lara and Laja Yijsuf of Suffolk. He joined the Navy in April 2001.