Risk Management Magazine

As snowflakes began hitting the road, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel of my speed-racing Honda Civic. I could picture my front-wheel-drive hatchback doing 360s down the highway. But I had an important briefing at work and, as the leader, calling out wasn’t an option. I’d have to fight the worsening conditions on Interstate 78.

This incident wasn’t an isolated case. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a seemingly innocuous situation can escalate into a life-threatening crisis.

Just about every Soldier has experienced the CS grenade. While the gas may be uncomfortable, it's an effective training tool and everyone is OK after a short period of time — especially if they’re wearing a protective mask. I learned, however, that these types of grenades can be dangerous if you lose focus during training.