HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - The Soldiers of 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade held a Safety Stand Down on Hunter Army Airfield July 3.
With the warmer weather and summer holidays create increased risk of injury and accidents. The amount of water in the Georgia Coastal Empire alone creates opportunities to engage in activity that carries increased risk. Each unit in the brigade attended classes on water safety, motorcycle safety, gun safety, and fireworks safety.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Leo, Squadron Safety Officer, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment said the purpose was to get everyone back to the basics when it comes to safety.
"Hopefully we can get Soldiers to implement these safe practices and get them to take them home and protect their Family," said Leo.
Teaching the motorcycle safety class for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd CAB, was Staff Sgt. Jimmie Robinson, brigade motorcycle mentor. Robinson is an avid rider who enjoys riding with his wife. During the class he told a story about a crash his wife was involved in that he witnessed from his rear view mirror.
"It was the most terrifying thing in my life," said Robinson.
Robinson was thankful his wife was wearing all of her personal protective equipment (PPE). Even the staff at the hospital she went to after the crash said it probably saved her life. His message about the benefits of wearing proper PPE was clear.
Robinson also talked about being in the right state of mind to ride a motorcycle.
"Do the right thing. There's a lot of temptation to ride aggressively to fit in with the group so be your own person and ride safely," said Robinson.
In preparation for Independence Day weekend, no safety brief would be complete without talking about fireworks.
Delivering that message for Troop A, 3-17 CAV was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Cronin. He used a personal experience to drive home the message of fireworks safety.
"I had a good friend of mine almost lose a thumb shooting a mortar off," said Cronin. "He was a pilot and it almost ended his career."
According to statistics, Leo said most accidents happen away from the workplace. At work proper PPE is mandatory; Leo said it's a good idea to take the good practices learned on the job home.
"Protect yourself at home like you would when you're at work," said Leo. "My personal definition of discipline is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking and I really want to instill that into Soldiers."
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