AUGUST 2004 SAFETY SUMMARY AND FIRST QUARTER FY05 SAFETY THEME
Date Signed: 6/15/2007 | ALMARS Number: 052/04
ALMARS : 052/04
R 271530Z SEP 04
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(uc)
TO AL ALMAR(uc)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 052/04
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/SD//
SUBJ/AUGUST 2004 SAFETY SUMMARY AND FIRST QUARTER FY05 SAFETY THEME//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  DURING AUGUST, NINE MARINES DIED IN MISHAPS;
FIVE MARINES DIED IN OPERATIONAL MISHAPS AND FOUR MARINES DIED IN
NON-OPERATIONAL MISHAPS.
A.  OPERATIONAL
(1) A LCPL WAS KILLED IN A HMMWV MISHAP WHEN THE GROUND GAVE WAY
CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER INTO A CANAL.  HE WAS RIDING AS A
PASSENGER.
(2) A CAPT DIED OF A NEGLIGENT GUN SHOT WOUND WHEN THE WEAPON HE WAS
CLEANING DISCHARGED, STRIKING HIM IN THE STOMACH.  
(3) A CPL WAS STRUCK BY A HMMWV WHILE PARTICIPATING IN A COMBAT FOOT
PATROL AND DIED FROM SEVERE HEAD INJURIES.
(4) A SSGT AND A LCPL DIED IN AN AVIATION MISHAP WHEN THEIR CH-53E
CRASHED DURING A NIGHT LOGISTICS MISSION IN IRAQ.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS
DESTROYED.
B.  NON-OPERATIONAL
(1) A LCPL WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE MISHAP DURING WET ROAD
CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT INTO A RIVER.
THE LCPL'S BODY WAS NOT DISCOVERED FOR SEVERAL DAYS BECAUSE OF HEAVY
RAIN AND FLOODING.
(2) A LCPL WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE MISHAP WHEN HE LOST
CONTROL AND WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE.  HE WAS NOT WEARING HIS
SEATBELT.
(3) A CPL WAS KILLED IN A MOTORCYCLE MISHAP WHEN HE DROVE INTO THE
BACK OF A TRUCK, LOSING HIS HELMET.  HE DIED OF SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA.
(4) A CPL WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE CROSSING A
STREET.
2.  OBSERVATIONS/TRENDS.  THIS FY, WE HAVE LOST 77 PERSONNEL; 24
MARINES AND 1 CIVILIAN DIED IN OPERATIONAL MISHAPS AND 52 MARINES
DIED IN OFF-DUTY AND RECREATIONAL MISHAPS.  THESE TRAGIC LOSSES CAN
BE MITIGATED BY LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK AND TRAINING.  SAFETY AND
OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT ARE LEADERSHIP TOOLS THAT CAN IMPROVE
THE WAY WE OPERATE WHILE PREVENTING MISHAPS.  
3.  THE SAFETY THEME FOR THE FIRST QUARTER FY05 IS "LEADERSHIP IS
SAFETY."  LEADERS MUST PROTECT THEIR PERSONNEL FROM MISHAPS.
FORESIGHT AND PLANNING ARE KEY TO MISSION SUCCESS AND THE KEY TO
REDUCING MISHAPS.  LEADERS MUST IDENTIFY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH
THEIR MISSION.  LEADERS MUST TEACH THEIR SUBORDINATES THE SKILLS
NEEDED TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS.  LISTEN TO YOUR MARINES WHO HAVE THE
INTESTINAL FORTITUDE TO SPEAK UP WHEN OBSERVING UNSAFE ACTS OR
BEHAVIORS.  KEEP YOUR MARINES ALIVE AND READY FOR THE FIGHT.  IF YOU
SEE A MARINE ACTING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER, HELP THAT MARINE, DIRECTLY
OR THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.  AS PROFESSIONALS, I AM COUNTING ON
YOU TO HELP ME KEEP MARINES SAFE.
4.  SEMPER FIDELIS, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//