Risk Management Magazine

During winter, driving becomes more hazardous, and extreme weather can take its toll on Army equipment, vehicles and drivers. Taking appropriate steps such as conducting by-the-book preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) and applying risk management before hitting the road could save you from breakdowns and hazardous conditions.

When our first palletized load system (PLS) showed up, the driver dropped off a CONEX next to us. A second PLS then showed up and, while we were outside taking a break, we could hear it backing up. Suddenly, we heard Soldiers yelling for the PLS to stop. My only thought was, “This can’t be good.”

As a senior NCO, I had the opportunity to influence many Soldiers over the years. Sometimes, however, my junior Soldiers impressed me instead of the other way around. One young Soldier affected the rest of my career — and even saved my life — by insisting on rehearsing rollover battle drills.