Risk Management Magazine

It was spring and I was stationed at beautiful Camp Pendleton, California. I had just recently married my high school sweetheart, was two months from pinning on the rank of corporal and was gearing up to go on my first deployment. I thought my life could not get better until I received a phone call from my older brother asking if I was interested in purchasing one of his motorcycles.

In the quest to be the best-trained, best-equipped military in the world, Soldiers and equipment are pushed to the limit during grueling exercises and operations. We cannot forget, however, that we must always consider and integrate safety into any activity, both on and off duty.

We’ve all been there — that “will-I-make-it” moment. If you’re lucky enough to have avoided that experience, then you’ve heard it from the mouths of others — probably accompanied with a few nervous chuckles. For most, it’s the first time, and hopefully last, as well as a valuable learning point.