Risk Management Magazine

About a year after graduating flight school, I was conducting instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) training at a local airport with an instructor pilot. It was early spring and weather conditions were cloudy, with temperatures hovering at the freezing point.

It was a drill weekend and we were heading to the range for hand grenade training. I had just assumed command of my company and was eager to gauge my unit’s range safety program. My predecessor couldn’t execute a thorough handoff with me before I took over; therefore, I had a lot to learn about my new Soldiers.

Many of us are guilty of trying to hop a ladder a few feet to the side instead of climbing down and moving it the proper way. Or maybe you’ve done the suicide lean by extending your body as far to the side as possible to get to a spot that’s just out of reach.