The Organizational Incident Operational Nexus (ORION) program, implemented by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery within Navy medicine, aims to connect sailors with resources following non-combat-related trauma. The program, which originated after the fatal Western Pacific collisions in 2017, fills a critical gap by providing long-term support to sailors. Through voluntary touchpoints, ORION’s care coordinators help sailors navigate the system, connect them to resources, and provide continued support beyond the acute phase of trauma.Â
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Key Points:Â
- ORION was developed after fatal collisions of guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and USS John McCain (DDG-56) in 2017 which resulted in the death of 17 sailors. Since its inception, the program has assisted 2,200 sailors in managing non-combat trauma.
- The program acts as a command unit-level tool that provides support following non-combat-related trauma, such as a training mishap, suicide, or incidents where death could have occurred.
- The ORION program comprises three full-time care coordinators who maintain contact with sailors identified as being at a higher risk of stress or needing additional help after traumatic events.
- ORION plays a crucial role in providing sustained support to sailors and Marines, helping them navigate the system, connecting them with necessary resources, and checking in on their well-being even after the acute phase of trauma has passed.
- The program categorizes sailors and Marines based on their exposure to trauma and their risk level. This categorization aids in providing more personalized care and follow-up, particularly for those diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Continue reading at https://news.usni.org/2023/06/15/navys-orion-program-aims-to-connect-sailors-marines-with-resources-following-trauma?Â
