Labor Day safety message
On Sept. 7, Fort Benning, along with the entire nation, will celebrate the achievements of American workers and the contributions they have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. Here our work developing Soldiers, leaders and formations that are smart, fast, lethal and precise has yielded great success for our future maneuver force. Our specific contributions to identify and master the fundamentals and define the future maneuver for our Army have been key efforts this summer that will be showcased at the 2015 Maneuver Warfighter Conference.
Labor Day weekend also marks the end of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, a period historically associated with increased accidents and incidents. As you take a well deserved break and recharge, bear in mind we must always exercise safety and continuously manage risk. Labor Day weekend is a great opportunity to have some final summertime fun with Family and friends before fall events get into full swing.
While this holiday is your chance to relax, always make sure safety is an integral part of your off duty activities. Prevention of accidents is everyone's responsibility and awareness of potential hazards is the key to success.
•Arrive alive. Never drink and operate vehicles, watercraft or motorcycles. If alcohol is part of the plan, always plan for a designated driver to get everyone home safely. Safety Cab will offer Soldiers free rides home from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 4-7. The number to call is 706-464-5915.
•Think safety. Ensure common sense and safety awareness are part of outdoor recreational activities such as camping, grilling, boating and swimming. Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device when in any watercraft.
•Plan ahead. If traveling outside of the Fort Benning and Chattahoochee Valley area, all Soldiers have to complete a Travel Risk Planning System (TRIPS) report, which can be found online at https://safety.army.mil. When traveling by car, ensure the driver is well rested, all passengers are buckled up and proper vehicle checks have been performed.
•Practice motorcycle safety. All motorcyclists must wear personal protective equipment. In addition, motorcyclists must obey the posted speed limit signs. Do not attempt risky maneuvers.
I want to thank all the Soldiers, Family members and civilians for your service and dedication to our nation. Remember our fellow Soldiers who are serving around the world, especially those engaged in combat throughout the world.
One Force, One Fight!
- Maj. Gen. Scott Miller
Commanding General
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