Risk Management Magazine

I’ve noticed a dangerous trend in the Army — units taking shortcuts when issuing tactical driver’s licenses. It seems some of us have gotten away from the standards and regulations put in place to ensure proper training. Driver training across the military has been an ongoing battle, whether it was a transporter or a military intelligence master driver teaching a course. We need to treat this position as a role, not an additional duty.

Whether it’s a summer vacation or upcoming permanent change of station (PCS) move, Soldiers, their families and other individuals soon will be setting out on road trips. Statistics indicate that more than 100 million Americans will take a family vacation this year.

“Two to fly. Systems, you good in the back?” As a junior aviator, statements like this were commonplace in my cockpit but never resulted in an incident or mishap. As a unit trainer, I taught this technique without reprisal or correction from my seniors. As a student at the instructor pilot (IP) course, however, I said it for the last time. Here’s what happened.