Risk Management Magazine

Whether it’s a convoy operation or a trip with your family, it’s always a good idea to perform a map or route reconnaissance. You’ll have the advantage of locating rest stops, places to fill up or, just maybe, possible road hazards. I didn’t do that during a winter ride from my home in Colorado Springs to Woodland Park, Colorado, and it literally proved to be my downfall.

During Operation New Dawn, I served as a Shadow unmanned aircraft system standardization operator at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. After a seemingly uneventful mission supporting my brigade combat team’s collection requirements, I was called to the hangar by a ground crewmember to look at an aircraft that had just landed.

Tactical safety should be viewed as a comprehensive strategy that involves all ranks within the military framework. Everyone — from leadership to entry-level personnel — must understand their role in fostering a safe operational environment. This requires ongoing education on safety protocols and a culture that prioritizes safety rather than treats it as an afterthought.