Risk Management Magazine

Rail remains a vital part of the deployment process. During past deployment operations, the Army relied on contractors to do the majority of the loading. But with the focus on large-scale combat operations, a unit’s Soldiers will be responsible for rail loading unit equipment.

The importance of wearing a seat belt is stressed before just about every convoy, training safety briefing and weekend. Like most young Soldiers, I listened to the words and would say “Hooah!” after my leaders were finished briefing. Also like most young Soldiers, I was only responding out of habit, not compliance.

The very nature of our profession as Soldiers — training outdoors, wearing uniforms and carrying equipment — practically guarantees we will be exposed to heat stress.