R 171130Z JUN 22
MARADMIN 304/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/MARINE AVIATION SAFETY STAND DOWN GUIDANCE//
REF/A/DOC/DON/8FEB22//
AMPN/REF A IS MCO 5100.29C, THE MARINE CORPS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM//
POC/MARK BORTNEM/COL/DIRECTOR, CMC SAFETY DIV/703-604-4361/MARK.D.BORTNEM@USMC.MIL//                    POC/GLEN REUKEMA/LTCOL/AVIATION HEAD, CMC SAFETY DIV/703-604-4122/GLEN.REUKEMA@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message provides additional guidance and instructions for the conduct, feedback, and documentation of the 2022 Safety Stand Down within Marine Aviation.
2.  APPLICABILITY.  This MARADMIN applies to all elements of the Aviation Combat Element.
3.  MISSION.  Beginning 21 June and no later than 1 July 2022, commanders and supervisors at all levels will conduct and document a one day Safety Stand Down in order to reinforce proper procedures, provide information, and gather feedback for future actions.
4.  BACKGROUND.  There have been six Class-A aviation mishaps within the Marine Corps in the last six months.  This has resulted in nine fatalities and the destruction of four aircraft. The deaths of our Marines is particularly difficult, and their loss is felt by family, friends, and fellow Marines every day.  Our aircraft losses total more than $330 million dollars.  The losses mean fewer Marines and aircraft are ready to fight.  This is unacceptable and we must adjust course.  While there is not a common factor that ties these mishaps together, the rate, frequency, and impact of these events dictates that now is the time to conduct an Aviation Safety Stand Down.
5.  ENDSTATE.  The endstate is that the culture of safety within Marine Aviation is reinforced, and our aviation units remain capable, safe, and ready.
6.  EXECUTION
6.a.  INTENT.  The intent of this MARADMIN is for units to conduct an all-hands Safety Stand Down in order to refresh safety policies and standards, review and discuss historical mishap examples, and provide feedback for further analysis. During this Safety Stand Down, complete participation is required and no unrelated tasks shall be completed. 
6.b.  TASKS.  Commanders shall ensure that a review of pertinent mishaps is conducted in a “What would you do?” fashion.  Group discussions are preferable and all ranks should be encouraged to give input.  A recommended technique is to review a mishap or scenario, pausing several times to ask questions designed to stimulate conversation and opinions, culminating in an explanation of the actions that actually took place. An open and honest safety culture is one where all opinions are important, not just those of leaders.  Good facilitators seek varied inputs. As post-mishap investigations have uncovered, there is often someone who observed, understood, or knew that something was not right, and that someone was rarely the senior Marine present. The goal is to drive home our most critical safety message:  we are all responsible for the health and safety of ourselves, our equipment, and each other. Good units are safe and safe units are lethal.
6.c.  COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS
6.c.1.  In addition to the “What would you do?” review, units shall select at least three topics for discussion.  Recommended topics include:
6.c.1.a.  “Bottom up” Tech Training using junior Marines to help demonstrate/emphasize “why” we do things such as proper documentation, checklist use, etc.
6.c.1.b.  Discussion of sound decision making during all phases of flight/maintenance operations.
6.c.1.c.  Reintroduction of Type/Model/Series performance characteristics, aircrew workload, NATOPS limits, and task saturation charts to squadron Ready Rooms and mission planning.
6.c.1.d.  Crew Resource Management reviews and applicability.
6.c.1.e.  Evaluation of operational tempo versus safety. Do we have a “get it done” mentality?
6.c.1.f.  Evaluation of morale within aviation units.
6.c.1.g.  Discussion of factors that improve/diminish unit Safety Culture.
6.c.1.h.  Discussion on fatigue, sleep, nutrition, exercise, alcohol use, and overall preparation for flight/work operations.
6.c.2.  Topics not listed above may be included at the discretion of the appropriate Commanding General.
6.d.  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
6.d.1.  Additional resources, to include mishap examples, vignettes, lessons learned, and other training materials can be found at the Marine Corps Mishap Library at:  https:(slash)(slash)portal.marinenet.usmc.mil/content/mnet-portal/en/library.1130.html.
6.d.2.  Specific mishap investigations, searchable by T/M/S, are available at the Risk Management Information website at:  https:(slash)(slash)afsas.safety.af.mil.
6.e.  FEEDBACK.  Feedback from Safety Stand Downs is a critical way to evaluate effectiveness.  There are two types of feedback required for this event.
6.e.1.  UNIT LEVEL FEEDBACK.  Units shall compile a list of their “Top Five” concerns/observations/recommendations and document them with a short explanation for each.  Submit them via email to CMC Safety Division at:  hqmc_safety_division@usmc.mil using the subject line “Unit name, SSD Feedback” NLT 6 July 2022.
6.e.2.  INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK.  Head Quarters Marine Corps Safety Division has created an online survey for all Marines participating.  The survey should take no more than five minutes and is accessible via computer or smartphone at: https:(slash)(slash)marineaviation.org/survey/2202275. For ease, a QR code is also located at https:(slash)(slash)marineaviation.org/qrcode/45058576.
6.e.3.  All feedback gathered will be analyzed and the results published via SEPCOR NLT 29 July 2022. Feedback is for routine uses and no personal data will be retained.  
6.d.  TRAINING DOCUMENTATION. Units will document training via unit training rosters in MCTIMS. CMC Safety Division has created the training requirement “HQMC DIRECTED MARINE AVIATION SAFETY STAND DOWN”.  Units will report training complete via MCTIMS NLT 2 July 2022.
7.  Release authorized by General Eric M. Smith, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.//