Apparently, drunken sailors are causing such problems that the U.S. Navy has announced random alcohol testing, starting next month.
The Marines are randomly testing, too.
Those with blood alcohol levels above .02 percent could face counseling; the program emphasizes behavior modification more than punishment. Sailors reporting for duty with a blood alcohol level of .04 percent or higher will be ordered from the work site.
The goal, one Navy official said, in an Associated Press report, is to prevent incidents, like suicides and sexual assaults, “due to the irresponsible use of alcohol.”
The Navy will be distributing portable alcohol detection devices to an estimated 2,000 commanders before the end of May.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.