Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team

Mission Statement

SPRINT provides short-term mental health support to a command immediately after a disaster. The goal is to prevent long-term unit and individual psychiatric dysfunction or disability.

Composition

SPRINT provides both educational and consultative services to supporting agencies for long term problem resolution by engaging in direct consultation with the requesting chain of command, assisting local medical, mental health and chaplain personnel with guidance to leadership on anticipated challenges stemming from the event, command debriefing, assisting in identifying at-risk personnel and facilitating timely mental health follow-up if necessary.

Services Provided

SPRINT provides both educational and consultative services to local supporting agencies for long term problem resolution by engaging in direct consultation with the requesting chain of command, assisting local medical, mental health and Chaplain personnel with guidance to leadership on anticipated challenges stemming from the event, command debriefing, assisting in identifying at-risk personnel and facilitate timely follow-up, and provide command and members with resources for mental health follow-up if necessary.

References

OPNAVINST 6440.1B

BUMEDINST 6440.6

Geographical Area of Responsibility

Navy Medicine West SPRINT AOR includes the west coast of the United States, the Pacific waterways, Australia and Asia.

Requesting and Approval Procedures

Local (Southern California Region):

Commands requiring immediate interventions, not requiring significant travel funding can notify SPRINT directly by contacting Naval Medical Center, San Diego.

Long Distance:

Any Naval unit can request SPRINT assistance by sending a message to CNO (N931) via the operational chain of command. As the decision authority, CNO (N931) approves SPRINT requests and directs BUMED to provide the 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

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.