Alcohol on U.S. Naval Vessels: An Assessment of Policies to Adopt to Best Promote Responsible Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

This thesis surveys the preferences and views of U.S. naval officers regarding different alcohol policies and what they believe would best promote responsible alcohol consumption among U.S. sailors. Using a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches, I document the background of alcohol in the U.S. Navy in conjunction with identifying the preferences and views of U.S. naval officers at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The qualitative analysis stems from a literature review of alcohol misuse, culture, and history of alcohol policies in the U.S. Navy. Through a survey of 154 U.S. naval officers at NPS, the quantitative analysis reports the preferences and views regarding current alcohol policy on U.S. naval vessels from officers, who will rotate into increased leadership roles and potentially command of such vessels. Moreover, the survey identifies other factors to consider when incorporating an effective alcohol policy. Three alternatives considered to maintaining the status quo are: allow alcohol consumption onboard U.S. naval vessels while in port only, allow alcohol consumption onboard U.S. naval vessels while in port and underway, and revert to total alcohol prohibition. The primary finding is 81.81% of survey participants prefer an alcohol policy that would allow alcohol on U.S. naval vessels to a greater extent than presently. This finding and the remaining survey results may be beneficial to consider when conducting further policy evaluation and research.