FORT RUCKER, Ala. (April, 30, 2030) – With the onset of summer and the anticipated rise of off-duty accidents, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center launched its annual off-duty safety awareness presentation recently.
Themed “20/20 Vision for Safety,” ODSAP contains materials and statistics that highlight the role of safety in off-duty activities. It addresses risky behaviors and emphasizes the often-deadly consequences of fatigue, alcohol use and indiscipline, to name a few.
“During the last five years, we’ve lost an average of 87 Soldiers each year in off-duty mishaps” said U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s Command Sgt. Maj. Lew Gardner. “That is tragic, and summer is the deadliest time of year for accidents in our Army. Junior leaders have the greatest influence on their Soldier’s behavior, and they should use the ODSAP as a tool to help their units and organizations navigate the risks of off-duty activities.”
The package features embedded videos and to highlight the potential hazards associated with activities such as driving, handling weapons, recreational activities and more. The presentation is a complete briefing kit, including speaker notes, yet leaders have the option to tailor the information to reflect trends specific to their formations.
“Junior leaders play a critical role in mishap prevention, perhaps the greatest role,” said Brig. Gen. Andrew Hilmes, commanding general of the USACRC. “With this presentation, our goal is for junior leaders to connect with their Soldiers to help them recognize off-duty hazards they may face. That’s what good leaders do. Get their team members to think, understand and decide for themselves. When that happens, good decisions are made. Soldier safety is all about good decisions.”
Off-duty safety awareness must be coupled with the five-step risk management process. The ODSAP is renewed each year based on Army wide mishap data and trend analysis.
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