R 212045Z NOV 17
ALMAR 043/17
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/THANKSGIVING SAFETY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Thanksgiving Day represents the beginning of the holiday season and offers us an occasion to celebrate with family and friends.  As you gather with your loved ones this year, I want to thank each of you for the effort and discipline you exert on a daily basis and for your dedicated service to our Nation.  I also encourage you to be mindful of your fellow Marines who are forward deployed or otherwise unable to be with family at this time.
2.  Enjoy this well-earned holiday, but also remember that the safety of every Marine is critical to the readiness of our Corps.  The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most dangerous for travel.  We continue to needlessly lose Marines to traffic accidents, all too often involving alcohol, distracted driving, 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 to apply Risk Management to combat the hazards of this long weekend.  Make smart risk decisions and accept no unnecessary risks.  Plan for mission success; allow adequate time for traffic, bad weather, and sleep; and return ready to fight.  If conditions change, update your plan and always communicate with your leadership.  We can't afford to lose any of you; one Marine killed or injured is one too many.
3.  Each Marine, Sailor, and Civilian Marine is crucial to our success as a Corps and a Nation.  Enjoy this holiday and take care of yourselves, your families, and your fellow Marines and return ready to do our mission.  Have a safe, enjoyable, and Happy Thanksgiving.
4.  Semper Fidelis, Robert B. Neller, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.//