Risk Management Magazine

Living in northeastern Pennsylvania, where the deer population is abundant, I’ve had more than my fair share of run-ins with our four-legged friends while riding my motorcycle. Despite my previous encounters, it took a more serious accident before I truly learned to expect the unexpected.

Many articles are written about situations that could have resulted in something catastrophic happening because of a momentary lapse in judgment. These are tough lessons to learn. However, I believe important lessons can also be learned when everything does go according to plan.

About 20 years ago, I was a new private assigned to my first unit at Fort Hood, Texas. I was away from home for the first time and didn’t get back much during the holidays. In an effort to get me out of the barracks and away from the usual trouble young Soldiers sometimes get into, my squad leader invited me to go hunting.