June is National Safety Month

By Brig. Gen. William T. Wolf, commanding general and director of U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, Fort Rucker, AlMay 25, 2011

Summer has officially begun, and with soaring temperatures often comes high-risk activities. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are historically among the deadliest for our Army in regard to preventable accidents. And while accidental fatalities have been on a downward trend the past several years, we continue to lose far too many Soldiers to incidents involving reckless behavior and indiscipline.

Nowhere is recklessness and indiscipline less forgiving than on our nation’s streets and highways. Privately owned vehicle and motorcycle fatalities currently account for nearly 70 percent of all accidental Army losses, a staggering number that is likely to rise in the coming weeks and months. Fatal motorcycle accidents, which have risen steadily above the previous year’s numbers through fiscal 2011, are of particular concern. It will take a concerted effort by all members of our Army Team " Leaders, Soldiers, Family members and Civilians " to prevent further needless tragedies this summer season.

Leaders must recognize and fulfill their responsibilities to their Soldiers 24/7. There is no time limit on leadership, and Soldiers are especially at risk during their off-duty hours. The most critical steps Leaders can take to protect their Soldiers are engaging with them on a daily basis and identifying those most at risk for a preventable accident. Soldiers must also look out for one another and live the warrior ethos even off duty. A buddy who drinks and drives, operates their vehicle at excessive speeds or refuses to wear a seat belt or personal protective equipment is very much a fallen comrade. Engagement among Family members and our Civilian workforce is crucial as well. Leaders should actively involve these key groups in their unit’s safety programs and give them the tools they need to fight preventable accidents.

Each June, the National Safety Council sponsors National Safety Month, five weeks filled with special events and themes ranging from driving safety to workplace mishap prevention. We encourage you to take part in this year’s observance by reaffirming your commitment to safety and asking your Soldiers to do the same. There is no better time to engage with your Soldiers than now, and dedicating the entire month to safety awareness will undoubtedly set a positive precedent for the rest of this fiscal year.

For additional information on National Safety Month and to learn more about Army safety, please visit the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center website, https://safety.army.mil. Have a great summer, and remember to play it safe. Army safe is Army Strong