Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to Rose Barracks, Germany, died in an automobile mishap 5 August 2025 near Freihung, Germany, at 2045 local. The Soldier’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, resulting in a post-crash fire. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 27th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Understanding German Traffic Rules and Regulations

As you prepare to hit the roads in Germany as an American driver, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules and regulations in this country. Germany has its own set of road laws, signs and driving customs that may differ from what you’re used to in the United States. To ensure a smooth and safe driving experience, here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

• Follow the Right of Way: In Germany, the right of way is strictly enforced. Always yield to vehicles approaching from the right, even at intersections without stop signs or traffic lights.
• Observe Speed Limits: German roads are known for their autobahns, where some sections have no speed limits. However, there are areas with specific speed limits posted, such as construction zones and urban areas, which must be adhered to.
• Use Turn Signals: Indicating your intentions with turn signals is mandatory in Germany. Always use your signals when changing lanes or making turns to ensure the safety of other drivers.
• Keep a Safe Distance: Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is crucial in Germany. The general rule of thumb is to stay at least a two-second distance from the car ahead to allow for ample braking time.
• Observe Traffic Signs: Familiarize yourself with German traffic signs and markings, as they may differ from those in the United States. Pay close attention to speed limits, no-entry signs and parking restrictions.
• Avoid Distracted Driving: Using mobile phones while driving, even for navigation purposes, is strictly prohibited in Germany. Ensure that you have a hands-free device or a designated co-pilot to assist with navigation.

By understanding and adhering to these traffic rules and regulations, you can drive safely and confidently on German roads as an American driver. It’s essential to stay alert, obey the laws and be mindful of the differences in road rules to ensure a smooth driving experience during your time in Germany.

Tips provided by the Know Germany blog.

A 38-year-old Major assigned to Walter Reed Medical Center, Maryland, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 7 August 2025 in Bethesda, Maryland, at 1230 local. The Soldier was found unresponsive in a pool while participating in a swimming event for the German Sports Badge. He was transported to a local emergency room for treatment and admitted to the intensive care unit. He died three days later. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the eighth off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the sixth off-duty water-related fatality of FY25.

Safety Tips

Safety is the first concern when Soldiers train or compete in and around water. The following factors are important:

• Know the swimming ability level of each Soldier.
• Monitor Soldiers for overexertion and fatigue.
• Encourage Soldiers to communicate symptoms of overexertion and fatigue.
• Ensure instructors/lifeguards are properly trained and certified.
• Make sure appropriate safety equipment is serviceable and on-site.
• Use the buddy system. (Pair a strong swimmer with a weaker one.)
• Have safety and emergency action plans in place and verify all participants understand them.

The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities that contains statistics, contributing factors, prevention tips and other relevant information. You can download the full presentation or the Water-Related Activities breakout from the In the Spotlight Series at https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP.

A Corporal assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in an off-duty Weapons and Explosives mishap 9 August 2025 in Hope Mills, North Carolina, at 2030 local. The Soldier was demonstrating a new pistol to his brother when a discharged round struck him in the head. The Soldier’s wife immediately contacted emergency medical services personnel, who transported him to Cape Fear Medical Center. The Soldier was pronounced dead one hour later. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of two Soldiers a year to off-duty Weapons and Explosives mishaps. This mishap was the third off-duty Weapons and Explosives fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

1. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded. This is the most important of all the safety rules. By treating all weapons as though they are loaded, mishaps can be avoided. “I didn’t know the gun was loaded” is the poorest excuse for carelessness.
2. Don’t trust the safety mechanisms. Although these devices are designed to mechanically prevent a weapon from firing, they are mechanical and subject to wear. Always keep the safety “ON” when not shooting, but remember it is not a 100 percent guarantee against the weapon firing.
3. Always make sure a weapon is cleared before handling or cleaning. Because it is impossible to determine whether a weapon is loaded just by looking at it, never assume or take another’s word that it is empty. It only takes a second to check, and the time spent may save a life. Whenever you pick up a firearm, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and if the weapon has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s), which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the firearm alone and get help from someone who does.
4. Unload weapons when not in use. Unloaded weapons cannot discharge even if they fall into unfamiliar hands.
5. Always keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction. A safe direction means that the firearm is pointed so that even if it were to go off, it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. When this practice is conscientiously followed, injuries, damage or even death may be avoided should you accidentally discharge the weapon.
6. Point weapons only at targets you intend to shoot. Never point a gun at yourself or another person. Insist that others abide by this rule.
7. Avoid horseplay. Firearms are deadly and must be treated with the respect they deserve. They are not toys.
8. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a firearm, rest your finger on the trigger guard until you are actually ready to fire.
9. Be sure the firearm is safe to operate. Just like other tools, firearms need regular maintenance to remain operable. If there is any question concerning a firearm's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.
10. Know how to use the firearm safely. Before handling a firearm, learn how it operates. Get training and read the owner’s manual. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action, and remove any ammunition from the firearm or magazine. Remember, a firearm’s mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe weapons handling.

The USACRC website contains numerous resources to address privately owned weapons safety.

• Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation
• Safety Shorts
• For more information: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 29 July 2025 near Farmington, New Mexico, at 1500 local. The Soldier and his spouse were returning to home station from pre-deployment leave when their vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle that was passing other cars. The Soldier and his spouse were both declared dead at the scene. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 26th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year. 

Safety Tips

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. The National Safety Council has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: The four R’s.

• Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to the top of the next hill, curve or intersection to recognize hazards. This’ll help you see and react faster if an oncoming vehicle crosses the centerline. Also, check the shoulder of the road to see if you’ve got room to pull over. Watch the space between the left-front tire of any approaching vehicle and the centerline. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.
• Drive to the right. Drive slightly to the right of center of your lane to create an extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. When facing a head-on collision, drive right, onto the shoulder. Never swerve into the left lane. If the other driver instinctively pulls their vehicle back into the proper lane, you’ll have a collision in that lane.
• Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This gives you extra time and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and move back into the correct lane. Don’t slam on the brakes or swerve. And never stop your vehicle. If you stop completely, you may be struck from behind – and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.
• Ride off the road. If you have to choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you must hit something, steer your vehicle to hit the object with a glancing blow rather than head-on. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision – and increases your chance for survival.

Tips provided by the National Safety Council

A 36-year-old Second Lieutenant assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in an off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishap 24 July 2025 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, at 1500 local. The Soldier was found unresponsive in a private, off-post pool. The homeowner immediately contacted emergency medical services personnel, who transported the Soldier to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training mishaps. This mishap was the seventh off-duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training fatality of FY25 and above the number of fatalities for this same time last year. This was also the fifth off-duty water-related fatality of FY25.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

• Do not enter headfirst unless you are in a pool that has a safe diving area.
• Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Only swim when supervised by a water watcher.
• Swim sober.
• Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cellphone.
• Know what to do in a water emergency, including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.

For more information on water-related safety, visit https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Sports-and-Recreation/Water-Safety.