According to Submarine Group Two, Groton-based submarines have had Breathalyzers onboard since 2009. This corrects misinformation that was provided to The Day on Wednesday.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced this week that, as a part of a series of initiatives designed to improve the fleet's readiness, sailors stationed on ships and at squadrons will be given Breathalyzer tests when they report for duty and at random other times to lessen alcohol-related incidents.
The Marine Corps will begin using Breathalyzers at its bases as well.
Mabus also announced that the Navy will start random testing for synthetic chemical compounds, such as Spice, this month. The military prohibits the use or possession of substances that produce psychoactive effects, including the synthetic marijuana commonly known as Spice.
More than 1,500 sailors were told they had to leave the Navy in fiscal year 2011 for using synthetic chemical compounds. None of these sailors was assigned to the Naval Submarine Base, but the Naval Submarine School did dismiss seven students for using the synthetic chemical compounds.
A base spokesman could not say Wednesday how testing for alcohol or Spice would be implemented at the shore facilities because the Navy has not yet provided the necessary guidance. That guidance for the "21st Century Sailor and Marine" initiatives is expected to be issued later this month.
Also, the local Navy Exchange and stores at other installations will end discounts for cigarettes, in keeping with the military service's emphasis on reducing or preventing unhealthy behavior.
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