R 211722Z MAY 25
MARADMIN 245/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2025 MARINE CORPS 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER SAFETY MESSAGE//
REF/A/MSG/ALNAV 039/25/13MAY25//
REF/B/DOC/ACMC/08FEB22//
AMPN/REF A IS ALNAV 039/25, 2025 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER
MESSAGE. REF B IS MCO 5100.29C w/ CH-2, VOLUMES 1, 2 AND 5, THE
MARINE CORPS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.//
POC1/T. HINMAN/GS-14/SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH BRACH HEAD/
CMC SAFETY DIVISION/703-571-4599/TAMI.HINMAN@USMC.MIL//
POC2/S. CURTIS/GS-13/SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGER/
CMC SAFETY DIVISION/703-571-4558/SHAWN.CURTIS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Whether operational or recreational, the Marine
Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to a culture of mitigating
risk. This especially holds true during the 101 Critical Days of
Summer (CDS) which occurs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
(24 May to 1 September 2025).
2. Historically during this period, the Marine Corps loses more
Marines to preventable off-duty recreational mishaps than any other
time of the year as leisure travel and outdoor high-risk activities
surge.
3. Over the past 5 summers, 59 Marines died in off-duty
recreational mishaps with private motor vehicles (26), motorcycles
(15), and water-related outings (9) being the leading activities.
4. As encouraged in reference (a), personnel must properly prepare
themselves when planning for and conducting summertime activities
with known elements of risk. Understanding hazards and taking
action to mitigate and manage risk is a personal endeavor.
Accepting or tolerating unnecessary and uncalculated risk endangers
risk-takers, innocent bystanders, first responders, and those who
answer the call for help. Equally important, preventable off-duty
mishaps have added consequences by needlessly contributing to strain
on our resources and unquestionable stress on our families, friends,
and co-workers.
5. Off-duty risk mitigation training prior to commencement of the
CDS period and during the permanent change of station onboarding
process has proven to be an effective means for minimizing the
likelihood of preventable off-duty mishaps.
6. In support of this cause and per reference (b), all Marines and
Sailors shall receive documented summer safety briefings prior to
each extended holiday liberty. Recommended key topics include
private motor vehicle and motorcycle operation, water excursions,
responsible alcohol consumption, heat illness and injury prevention,
inclement weather conditions, barbecue and camp fires, fireworks,
camping, trekking, and any other recreational off-duty activity that
increases the probability of a mishap.
7. Commanders and leaders at all ranks have a profound impact on
our readiness by inspiring individual and unit risk mitigation
measures and reinforcing established safety protocols. I encourage
all leaders to be creative when conducting CDS training by choosing
a location that complements the significance of summertime safety and
its underlying message. Both the Naval Safety Command
(https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Off-Duty/101-CDOS/) and your
local installation safety office serve as great resources for summer
safety products and information.
8. By cultivating a safety culture in which calculating and managing
risk is part of the decision-making process, we enhance readiness
and build strong relationships of trust through demonstrating a
genuine concern for the welfare of our warfighting team. Having the
courage to speak up and take action to break the cycle of events
that leads to a preventable loss aligns with our warrior ethos and
is a trait each of us must strive to exemplify.
9. This summer, I encourage you to have fun with family and friends,
while also keeping safety and risk management an integral part of
your decision-making, on and off duty. By working together, sharing
knowledge, and adhering to established safety protocols, we can
mitigate risks and ensure a safe and successful summer.
10. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock, Jr.,
Director, Marine Corps Staff.//