ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512040054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
SOURCE: Associated Press
Hundreds of sailors took a day off from their regular duties at Norfolk Naval Base to attend a mandatory seminar on sexual assault, alcohol abuse and other forms of misconduct.
Crew members assigned to two Norfolk-based ships met behind closed doors in crowded work spaces Friday to discuss the Navy's code of conduct as part of a Navy-wide ``stand down.''
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Boorda ordered a ``day of reflection'' after it was reported that a Navy chief groped a female sailor while on a crowded commercial airliner in October. Several other Navy crew members reportedly were on the plane but did little to intervene.
The case is still under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
Boorda, who has ordered every Navy command to conduct a daylong stand down by Dec. 8, asked that each ship's disciplinary record be reviewed and that sailors be reminded of their responsibility to help someone in trouble.
Every rank, from seaman recruit to commander, participated in Friday's group sessions in Norfolk.
``We're taking the time to reflect, remind ourselves of what we can do better and press on,'' said Cmdr. Elliott Powell Jr., commanding officer of the guided missile frigate Robert G. Bradley.
The stand down is the second in three years called by the service to address conduct and discipline. In 1992, the Navy held a stand down in response to the 1991 Tailhook convention in Last Vegas, where women reported being fondled by drunken aviators.
Powell said the recent incident involving the Navy chief as well as the recent rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl underscored the need for the Navy to remind service members of the rules. Three U.S. servicemen are accused of abducting and raping the girl.
Some sailors called Friday's stand down worthwhile. Others considered it a waste of time, a day off and a political exercise. One female sailor said the rules already are well understood, just not always followed.
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