Psychiatric (SPRINT)

Duty Phone: 757-449-7345
OIC Cell: 757-660-3533
Email: usn.hampton-roads.navhospporsva.mbx.nmcp-sprint@health.mil

Mission Statement

SPRINT provides short-term mental health support to a requesting command shortly after a traumatic event with the goal of preventing long-term psychiatric dysfunction and promoting maximum psychological readiness. Examples of scenarios in which a SPRINT response may be beneficial include:

• Natural or man-made disasters that result in loss of life, threatened loss of life, or displacement
• Mishaps, accidents, or other traumatic events incidents involving loss of life or threatened loss of life
• Fatalities witnessed by members of the command

Composition

A SPRINT team has at its core one licensed independent mental health provider and one behavioral health technician which may be further augmented by additional psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, Navy Chaplains, Navy behavioral health technicians, and U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) personnel as circumstances require. Staff from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) may also serve as part of a local SPRINT response as circumstances and local policies permit.

As SPRINT responses are often time sensitive and benefit from delivery by providers familiar with those impacted, embedded mental health assets, when present, take the lead on SPRINT responses. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Commands (NMRTCs) or military treatment facilities (MTFs) assistance will be provided first from the nearest MTF or NMRTC with additional support from other MTFs/NMRTCs as coordinated by the NMFL Regional SPRINT lead.

Services Provided

The SPRINT is not a clinical service and therefore does not document encounters. The SPRINT provides both educational and consultative services through:

• engaging in direct consultation with the requesting chain of command
• assisting local medical personnel with command debriefing
• assisting in identifying at-risk personnel and facilitate timely follow-up
• provide command and members with resources for mental health
• engaging in small groups and 1 on 1 encounters with service members

Geographical Area of Responsibility (AOR)

Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL) SPRINT AOR is from the southeast coast of the United States west to the Mississippi River, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Requesting and Approval Procedures

Any Navy command can request SPRINT assistance by sending a message to CNO (N931) via operational chain of command (may be completed verbally in emergency situations). As decision authority, CNO (N931) approves SPRINT request and directs BUMED to provide appropriate team. Upon CNO tasking, BUMED will notify the designated command(s) to support the mission followed by a message with copies to the appropriate echelon 2 and responsible line commanders.　　

Necessary Information from Requesting Command

The following information should be provided in the message/request:

• Nature of the crisis situation
• Proposed dates and locations of deployment
• Supported command POC information　
• Passport and visa requirements (if required)
• Reporting instructions
• Local travel arrangements　
• Uniform or organizational equipment requirements (if required)
• Anticipated SPRINT concept of operations
• Funding information (requesting command pays travel and per diem)

   

Support Requirements

The SPRINT missions are not self-sufficient. The organization or activity that receives and supports the SPRINT must provide the following minimum support: shelter, berthing, utilities, laundry facilities, space for debriefings, messing, security, administrative and communication support. Requesting commands will reimburse NMFL for additional costs (travel, etc.,) associated with SPRINT team or response deployment.

Additional Considerations

Although not all disruptive events may result in loss of life or extended displacement, these events can nonetheless sometimes poses challenges for commanders. NMFL Regional SPRINT consultation is available to assist commanders in formulating their responses and connecting with local resources even when traditional SPRINT responses are not required.

Contact Information

Official Requests:

Chief Naval Operations
Battle Watch Command　
Phone: 703-692-9284