Risk Management Magazine

The failure to use vehicle seat belts represents a direct breakdown in disciplined risk management, transforming highly survivable accidents into catastrophic losses of combat power and readiness. To counter driver complacency and protect the entire team from severe second- and third-order effects, Army leaders must treat restraint use as a non-negotiable safety standard equivalent to weapons safety and tactical protective equipment.

When off duty, it’s easy to take the need for safety training for granted. Such was the case when I made a cross-country move after transitioning from regular active duty to the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) with the U.S. Army Reserve. By the conclusion of this trip, the potential consequences of my actions — and the critical need for prior training — became crystal clear.