CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 STEVE GARCIA
Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
110th Chemical Battalion
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

The U.S. military continuously adapts to understand and prepare for various operational environments. Yet hazards like slips, trips and falls remain a constant threat. Training Soldiers to operate in a field environment is both physically and mentally demanding. It is important to understand that no matter how many controls are implemented and enforced, there is always a residual risk of injury due to falls. According to the Defense Centers for Public Health–Aberdeen (DCPH-A) annual injury surveillance report, just over 20 percent of mechanism-related injuries in 2022 were attributed to slips, trips and falls. This occupational hazard can affect anyone in garrison. However, during a training exercise — where mission variables affect everyone’s decision-making process — the probability of tripping or falling is an ever-present risk.

While stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, I was still one of the newer members of a chemical unit when they conducted a field training exercise at Camp Rilea – a National Guard training area in Oregon. The goal was to enhance our ability to provide command and control functions while operating in a different location. The staff had attended the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California, less than a year prior, and they were eager to practice the improved systems and processes they recently revised. The leaders acknowledged there were multiple near misses and mishaps that could have been avoided, but the experience at NTC allowed them to think more proactively in their approach to the upcoming training event in the spring season.

At the exercise site, the unit stood up the administration and logistics operations center (ALOC) within the first 24 hours. Although our Soldiers were accustomed to the muddy terrain and rain from Washington, I was still surprised how quickly they established their position. They dropped their containers, draped the camouflage netting and established workstations in the back of a Light-Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV). Because the stairs to the LMTV door were steep and slightly slippery, the railing was installed, even though it forced one door to remain closed. All Soldiers involved wore their gloves, eye protection and combat helmets until the section was fully operational. Leaders and subordinates alike enforced safety precautions and controls without hesitation, until it was time to jump.

When the staff received orders to relocate the ALOC, personal protective equipment (PPE) suddenly became an afterthought. Even as the rain picked up, none of the Soldiers donned their wet-weather gear. Rushing to prepare for the move, they quickly packed their containers and generators, and leaders removed the stair railing to allow boxes to be loaded more easily into the LMTV. The Soldiers broke into two-man teams to lift the boxes inside, while another team received and organized them. Upon completion, operators staged the vehicles and rolled out as instructed.

The teardown happened smoothly with no reported injuries or damage, which created a false sense of security for the next setup phase. While unloading at the new site, a noncommissioned officer (NCO) placed a bag of camouflage nets dangerously close to the back edge of the LMTV. Noticing a strap that needed tightening, he stepped on the bag for leverage. The bag suddenly slipped over the edge, sending the NCO tumbling out right behind it. Soldiers tried to grab him, but fortunately, his fall was broken by the pile of camouflage nets below. This close call compelled the NCO to walk the perimeter and ensure others weren’t making similar mistakes.

Falling from a vehicle might sound funny, but witnessing it firsthand offers a starkly different perspective. Regardless of the administrative controls in place, variables like time, fatigue and complacency directly affect our decisions to wear PPE and follow standard operating procedures. Acknowledging this near-miss, reporting the lesson learned and staying vigilant ultimately allowed my unit to return from the training safely.