Memorial Day is among the most revered of holidays in our Army. We remember those who have fallen before us, and during this era of persistent conflict, honor the memory of those now absent from our formations. Thank you for your continued service, which ensures their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
From this weekend through Labor Day, countless members of our Army Family will venture outdoors and onto America's highways to enjoy the summertime weather and downtime from work. Fun can come with a tragic price, however, as these next few months are historically the deadliest time of year for Soldiers off duty. Accidents in privately owned vehicles, privately owned motorcycles and personal watercraft pose the greatest risk, and we must all remain vigilant for ourselves and each other. Indiscipline remains our Army's top off-duty safety issue, and we urge Leaders at all levels to engage with their Soldiers on risky behavior. No single individual is immune to indiscipline, even those who rigidly adhere to the standards on duty. Small lapses in judgment -- failing to buckle a seat belt on a "short" trip or driving after only a "couple" drinks -- can be just as deadly as deliberate misconduct, and it is imperative that all Soldiers understand the consequences of these and other poor decisions.
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center stands ready to assist you in your accident prevention efforts. The annual Army Safe Spring/Summer Campaign is underway on our website, https://safety.army.mil, and comes complete with media tools perfect for safety presentations to both large and small groups. Our Army will also recognize National Safety Month beginning June 1, so be sure to visit https://safety.army.mil/NSM2012 for unique materials focused on Civilian injury prevention, ground operations, aviation operations and driving safety. There is no better time than now to focus all our efforts on safety, so take advantage of all the tools available to ensure your Soldiers stay out of harm's way.
Thank you again for all you do every day for our Army and our nation. We may be beginning the critical days of summer, but remember that risk doesn't keep a calendar -- every day is critical in our fight against preventable accidents. Enjoy your summer, and always play it safe!
Army Safe is Army Strong!
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