R 140900Z DEC 98
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//
TO ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS  //N05000//
ALMAR 365/98
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC SD//
SUBJ/HOLIDAY SAFETY//
RMKS/1.  WITH THE ONSET OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, MANY WILL BE
TRAVELING, OTHERS STAYING HOME.  BUT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, ALL
WILL BE FOCUSING ON THIS TIME SET ASIDE TO ENJOY OUR FAMILY AND
FRIENDS.  HOWEVER, EXPERIENCE DICTATES THAT WE MUST NOT NEGLECT THE
HAZARDS THAT ARE A CONSTANT THREAT TO THE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS.
SINCE 1 OCT 98, SEVEN MARINES HAVE DIED IN OFF DUTY MISHAPS.
STATISTICS FORCAST WE WILL LOSE ANOTHER FOUR OF OUR MARINES
AND/OR SAILORS DURING THIS HOLIDAY PERIOD.  THESE ARE NOT MY
EXPECTATIONS.  WE MUST ALL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT
THIS PREDICTION FROM BECOMING A REALITY.  THERE'S NO MAGIC FORMULA TO
PREVENT THESE DEATHS - JUST GOOD COMMON SENSE, BASED ON AWARENESS,
PREPARATION, AND RESPONSIBILITY.  ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE TO
ALL COMMANDERS, LEADERS, AND INDIVIDUAL MARINES AND SAILORS, OUR
PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS ASSET!  WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE A
SINGLE ONE OF YOU.  WHILE THE IMPACT OF SUCH LOSS ON READINESS IS
SUBSTANTIAL, THE COST TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS IMMEASURABLE!
PROACTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT IS AN EFFECTIVE, COMMON SENSE WAY TO
ENSURE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY.  I TASK ALL COMMANDERS TO ENSURE THE
FOLLOWING IS ACCOMPLISHED:
   A.  INTENSIFY TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL SAFETY AWARENESS.  INCREASE
PERIODIC TRAFFIC SAFETY MESSAGES, CONDUCT UNIT VEHICLE INSPECTION
PROGRAMS, AND DISSEMINATE TRAVEL AWARENESS INFORMATION FOR POPULAR
ROUTES AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.  ENSURE YOUR MARINES AND SAILORS
PLAN REASONABLE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES TO AVOID EXCESSIVE
FATIGUE.  CHECK FOR CURRENT VEHICLE INSURANCE AND VALID DRIVERS
LICENSES.
   B.  TAKE AGGRESSIVE MEASURES TO ADDRESS HOME SAFETY.  A FULL 30%
OF ALL ACCIDENTAL DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES LAST YEAR OCCURRED IN
THE HOME (SECOND ONLY TO THE 46% THAT OCCURRED IN MOTOR VEHICLES).
PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, EXERCISE PRECAUTIONS AND PUBLICIZE
HOME SAFETY TIPS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SETTING UP CHRISTMAS TREES, LIGHTS
AND OTHER HOLIDAY DECORATIONS.
   C.  DRIVE HOME THE "DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE" MESSAGE!  DRINKING AND
DRIVING PUTS BOTH THE GUILTY AND INNOCENT AT RISK.  THIS INEXCUSABLE
BEHAVIOR RESULTS IN MORE THAN A TRAGIC AND UNNECESSARY LOSS FOR THE
GUILTY PARTY, IT OFTEN RESULTS IN THE SAME SENSELESS LOSS FOR THE
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF INNOCENT VICTIMS.  COMMAND PRE-HOLIDAY
SAFETY EFFORTS MUST EMPHASIZE MODERATE, MATURE AND COMMON SENSE
USE OF ALCOHOL.  DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ON ALCOHOL-FREE EVENTS,
SUCH AS FIRST NIGHT, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY COMMUNITIES.
   D.  I WANT EACH AND EVERY LEADER TO LOOK THEIR MARINES AND
SAILORS SQUARELY IN EYE AND GET A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
2.  FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT, HOLIDAY SAFETY MEANS TAKING CARE OF
EACH OTHER.  WE DON'T LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN WE SEE A FELLOW MARINE
OR SAILOR IN TROUBLE.  WE HELP THEM GET THE HELP THEY NEED.  BE
PROACTIVE--ACT TO PREVENT PROBLEMS THAT LEAD TO DEPRESSION, ALCOHOL
ABUSE, RELATIONSHIP CONFLICTS, AND FINANCIAL DISTRESS.
3.  I EXPECT MARINES AND SAILORS TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ENSURING THEY AND THEIR FELLOW MARINES AND SAILORS RETURN SAFELY
FROM THE HOLIDAYS.  THIS WILL BE THE MOST VALUABLE GIFT THAT ANY OF
US, OUR FAMILIES OR FELLOW MARINES, WILL GIVE OR RECEIVE THIS
SEASON.  BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.  SEMPER
FIDELIS, C. C. KRULAK, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF
THE MARINE CORPS.//
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