R 201755Z NOV 15
ALMAR 031/15
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/THANKSGIVING SAFETY MESSAGE 2015//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Thanksgiving Day is the beginning of the holiday season and an occasion for celebration with family and friends. I encourage all Marines, Sailors, and Civilian Marines to enjoy this well-earned holiday. Our thoughts should also be with those who cannot celebrate with family or are forward deployed in the service of our great Nation.
2. At the same time, we must recognize that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most dangerous for travel. As a Corps we continue to needlessly lose Marines to traffic accidents, often due to alcohol, distraction, fatigue, excessive speed, and failure to wear seatbelts. I charge all small unit leaders to know the details of their Marines’ travel plans, and all Marines must apply Risk Management to combat the hazards of this long weekend by making smart risk decisions and accepting no unnecessary risks. Mitigate heavy traffic, changing weather conditions, and fatigue through disciplined trip preparation. Plan for mission success, allow adequate time for traffic, bad weather, and sleep, and return ready to fight. If conditions change, change your plan and always communicate with your leadership.
3. Each Marine, Sailor, and Civilian Marine is crucial to our success as a Corps and a Nation, and I am proud of and thankful for each of you; we can’t afford to lose you.  Enjoy this holiday and take care of yourselves, your families, and your fellow Marines. Have a safe, enjoyable, and Happy Thanksgiving.
4. Semper Fidelis, Robert B. Neller, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.