Chapter 3 Quality of Life

3-1 CHAPTER 3 QUALITY OF LIFE The Navy’s most valuable asset is its people. As a future petty officer, you have the requirement to help safeguard this asset. The Navy has taken great pains to set up programs to train and help you manage and nurture the quality of life of this resource. The purpose of this chapter is to provide you information on programs that support the Department of the Navy Core Values Charter shown in figure 3-1. To do this, the importance of promoting quality of life issues will be presented first. Then you will be provided with information on specific programs that benefit the Sailor. PURPOSE Learning Objective: Recognize the purpose of quality of life programs. Why is it so important to know about these programs? As a future petty officer and leader, you must be able to help your people. You must be aware that resources are available to help in different situations. Then you must be able to direct your people to the right person or source to get the information or help they need. I am a man, and nothing human can be of indifference to me. —Terence The Self-Torturer The purpose of quality of life programs is to promote the effective use of the Navy's human assets. Thus the various programs within this system have been designed to allow individuals the chance to develop their capabilities to the maximum. This development of abilities promotes sound leadership, which strengthens the chain of command. As the chain of command exercises good leadership principles, the entire Navy benefits by seeing an improvement in areas such as the following: � Management � Order and discipline � Acceptance of responsibility � Authority and accountability � Pride and professionalism � Motivation � Retention REVIEW 1 QUESTIONS Q1. What is the purpose of quality of life programs? Q2. How does the Navy benefit from quality of life programs? PROGRAMS Learning Objectives: Recognize programs available in the quality of life initiative. Recognize the purpose of the personal excellence program. Recall the purpose of the casualty assistance calls officer. Recall the equal opportunity and human rights elements of leadership programs and policies. Recognize the petty officer’s responsibility in the Navy’s drug and alcohol abuse prevention and control program. Recall the programs for counseling and treating personnel with drug and/or alcohol problems. Recognize health and physical readiness program initiatives. Recall the Navy’s family housing policy. When individuals use their full potential, the Navy, in turn, reaches its goal of improved combat readiness and capability. The Navy encourages people to use their potential by instilling a sense of pride and professionalism as well as the desire for personal excellence. The Navy achieves its goal through people like you who work to improve and develop individual