Dealing with Sea Sickness in the U.S. Navy: Navigating Health, Duty, and Support

Sea sickness, a common ailment among military sailors, can pose challenges to those serving on naval vessels. Ensuring the health and readiness of U.S. Navy sailors is paramount, and the Navy has a well-defined process to address sailors who cannot overcome this issue during their duties. This article explores the procedures and outcomes for such situations.

Medical Evaluation

When sailors experience severe or persistent seasickness, a medical evaluation is conducted. This is an essential step to determine the severity of the condition and any underlying health issues that could be contributing to the sickness.

Key Steps: Assessment of the sailor's condition by Navy medical personnel. Determination of the severity of seasickness. Identifying any underlying medical conditions that could contribute to the ailment.

Treatment Options

Once evaluated, sailors may receive various treatments to manage their seasickness. Common treatments include:

Medications: Antihistamines like meclizine, scopolamine patches, and other approved medications. Coping Strategies: Advice on managing symptoms through hydration, light meals, and spending time on deck.

These measures are designed to help sailors adapt to the ship's movement and maintain their operational readiness.

Temporary Duty Changes

In cases where seasickness severely impacts a sailor's ability to perform their duties, temporary changes in duty assignment may be necessary. These changes can include:

Shore Duty: Assigning sailors to non-sea billets until they can acclimate or recover. Non-Sea Billets: Transitioning sailors to roles that do not involve shipboard duties.

Such temporary measures help to maintain the sailor's health and readiness while conditions improve.

Retention and Reassignment

If a sailor is unable to overcome seasickness despite treatment and support, permanent changes may be considered. These can include:

Reassignment: Moving the sailor to a role that does not involve sea duty. Discharge: If deemed unfit for continued service due to chronic seasickness, sailors may be discharged.

These decisions are made with the sailor's well-being and the mission requirements in mind.

Support and Training

The U.S. Navy provides comprehensive training and support to help sailors adjust to life at sea. This includes:

Exposure Training: Gradual exposure to shipboard conditions during training exercises. Counseling: Access to mental health resources and counseling services. Education: Information on natural remedies, coping strategies, and prevention techniques.

These measures aim to minimize the impact of seasickness and enhance overall readiness.

While sea sickness can be a significant challenge, the Navy has established robust procedures to support sailors through these issues. The process from medical evaluation to temporary duty changes, retention, and reassignment ensures that sailors can continue their critical mission while prioritizing their health.

Key Takeaways: Seasickness is managed through a comprehensive medical evaluation process. Treatment options include medications and coping strategies. Temporary duty changes may be necessary to accommodate severe cases. Retirement or discharge is a last resort. Support and training are essential to help sailors acclimate and manage.