The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chapter of PCU John F. Kennedy’s (CVN 79) has been nominated for the 12th annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, it was announced Aug. 1. This nomination recognizes exceptional activities within the CSADD chapter in 2024 that have created a positive environment for junior Sailors.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Darien Kenney, an active member of the John F. Kennedy CSADD board, spotlighted the chapter’s achievement to include hosting several events and volunteer opportunities. “Our most impactful event was a bold initiative: collaborating with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to organize a lively, competitive field day that brought together 2,300 Sailors,” Kenney said.
The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation was established in 2013 in honor of Robert “Bob” Feller, Major League Baseball pitcher, National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, and Navy veteran. Feller enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 and as a Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Alabama (BB 60) during World War II, he served with eight battle stars.
This prestigious award recognizes one active MLB player, one NBHOF inductee, and one Chief Petty Officer per year. It also recognizes a group of Sailors, ages 18-25, who have effectively promoted peer-to-peer mentorship and reduced destructive decision-making among Sailors.
Cryptologic Technicians Technical Senior Chief Scott Searcy, division leading chief petty officer of John F. Kennedy’s Intelligence Department and a CSADD chapter mentor, shed light on the magnanimity of this chapter. He said that the CSADD chapter here was making a difference not only to their command but also to other Navy commands as well as a whole, with various activities at the local level. Searcy submitted a nomination for the Bob Feller peer-to-peer award for outstanding contributions achieved by the team.
“It’s a great honor [to be nominated for the award]. Bob Feller was a beast in baseball and an absolute icon in the Navy,” Searcy remarked. “You say ‘Bob Feller’ to any CPO, and we know immediately who you are talking about because he is that big of a deal. For our CSADD team to be out here crushing it, doing all these great things in the spirit of Bob Feller—it was an easy nomination for me.”
The nomination was announced to the John F. Kennedy crew by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea during a scheduled visit. Honea reinforced that it is all about being good citizens, striving every day to be a better Sailor, while making a positive impact on their fellow shipmates. “If you’re always trying to make yourself better, make your shipmates’ lives better for having known you, and always trying to make your command better, you can’t help but be successful,” said Honea.
CSADD is a Navy-wide volunteer mentorship program geared toward good decision-making through leadership training, as well as recreational and community service events. The Bob Feller Foundation will announce the award winners at the 2024 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Ceremony set to take place at the United States Navy Memorial’s Heritage Center in Washington, D.C.