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12 Sailors Join NSA Bethesda's Auxiliary Security Force

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101028-19
10/28/2010

By Sarah Fortney, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

Bethesda, MD (NNS) -- After completing an intense, three-week training course, 12 Sailors joined Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda's Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) and were recognized during a ceremony Oct. 22 in the Laurel Clark Memorial Auditorium.

Working as volunteers, the ASF members will augment the installation's Navy and civilian law enforcement team, further enhancing base security. They will respond to incidents that involve heightened levels of security, such as high risk arrests, vehicle searches and high profile visits, said Master-At-Arms 1st Class Devon Wilson, ASF coordinator.

In addition to the initial training, which teaches marksmanship and tactical response that takes places roughly twice each year, the members will also receive monthly training beyond their assigned duties.

"It's a good collateral duty for a lot of the junior personnel," said Wilson.

While enhancing base security, working as an ASF member also allows them to grow as individuals and gain self confidence, he added.

These ASF members come from various military backgrounds, hospital corpsman, yeoman, personnel specialists, among others, and join the ranks of the command's law enforcement officers and Master-At-Arms personnel, said NSA Bethesda's Executive Officer Cmdr. John Lamberton.

"We come together to do one thing, and that's to create a safe environment," said Lamberton.

Lamberton thanked the new ASF members for stepping up to the plate, locking arms with those who stand at the gates, ensuring all those who enter the installation are kept safe. The ASF team, now consisting of roughly 80 members, also provides security for base-wide events where high level dignitaries are in attendance, such as the dedication ceremony for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), providing security for guests, said Wilson.

Many of the graduates said they look forward to supporting such functions and enhancing base security, including Hospitalman Apprentice James Sasso, who works in Neurosurgery at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC).

"It's a change of pace, something different but still worthwhile," said Sasso.

Hospitalman Apprentice Decory Blackwell, who works in Prosthetics at NNMC, shared the sentiment, adding that the rigorous training was a team-building experience.

"It was a lot of hard work, but we got through it together as a group," said Blackwell.