Risk Management Magazine

This incident wasn’t an isolated case. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a seemingly innocuous situation can escalate into a life-threatening crisis.

Have you ever deliberately put yourself in a situation you didn’t think you’d get out of alive, only to survive and vow never to do the same thing again? If so, you’re not alone. I’m lucky to be alive and well after all the stupid stuff I’ve done. When you’re young, it’s hard to distinguish risk from what we perceive as adventure.

Firearms training is one of the most common military activities practiced by all Soldiers. Weapons proficiency is a hallmark of combat readiness during which the principles of risk management (RM) are thoroughly planned, rehearsed and executed. However, an often-overlooked hazard associated with firearms training can be found in the process that follows every live-fire event — weapons cleaning.