NAS Pensacola Area Leadership Signs Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman and area tenant command leadership signed a proclamation Oct. 1 at the installation’s Mustin Beach Club recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The NAS Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)-led event, designed to increase awareness of resources available to military families impacted by domestic violence, also served to demonstrate the solidarity survivors of domestic abuse share and area leadership’s commitment to continuing a culture where these survivors can feel safe seeking assistance.
The event was sponsored through the NAS Pensacola FFSC by Telemynd, a virtual mental health platform connecting patients with licensed therapists and psychiatrists for online counseling and medication management. FFSC Family Advocacy Program Victim Advocate Brittany Oehrle said with the significant number of younger service members at various command’s onboard the installation, ensuring a culture of understanding and support is critical.
“NAS Pensacola is home to a massive population of junior personnel and students,” Oehrle said. “Department of War (DoW) data shows that more than 83 percent of military domestic abuse victims are age 34 or younger. Our youngest, most junior personnel are the ones most vulnerable to relationship stress, financial strain and digital harassment, and we must continue to cultivate an environment where every service member and their family feel safe to seek help.By addressing domestic violence proactively, we strengthen our teams and enhance the resilience of our entire force.”
Oehrle spearheaded the theme of the observance, ‘Change in Action,’ something she said represents the shift from simply acknowledging domestic violence to taking active steps to prevent it.
“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a crucial time for us to confront this pressing issue,” Newman said. “But awareness is only our baseline.True safety, prevention and support for victims require tangible, decisive actionfrom every leader, every service member, and every civilian in this community.” According to NAS Pensacola FFSC Director Train Hatton, more than 10 million Americans are victims of physical violence – 20 individuals victimized every minute.
“The safety and well-being of our personnel are directly tied to maintaining a mission-ready force,” Hatton said. “Domestic violence doesn't just destroy families; it actively undermines unit cohesion, degrades morale and directly impacts our operational readiness.”
Emergency resources are available for military personnel and their families who experience domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 confidential support at tel:(800)%20799-7233. Active-duty service members, their families and reservists on active duty can also access assistance through the Fleet and Family Support Center and the DoD Safe Helpline at tel:(877)%20995-5247.
Founded in 1826, NAS Pensacola, known as the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation,’ supports operational and training missions for several tenant commands, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Aviation Schools Command and Center for Technical Training. The installation also hosts Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 and serves as the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command. In addition to an active airfield, NAS Pensacola maintains a deepwater port supporting operations for the U.S. Coast Guard.
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