MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- in conjunction with Memorial Day holiday, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Ga., conducted a safety stand down emphasizing safety first.
The day-long event, held at the Base Theater May 19, comprised of many different safety classes that highlighted safety issues that confront the modern day Marine.
According to All Marine Message 018/09, signed by General J. T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, 21 Marines will die as a result of excessive alcohol consumption or unsafe handling of motor vehicles during the Critical 101 Days of Summer.
Those statistics are compiled from the six previous years of reported mishaps involving Marines during the summer months.
The start the 101 Critical Days of Summer began May 22, before the Memorial Day weekend, and ends Sept. 7.
To combat the previous year’s death-related statistics, an emphasis was placed on specific topics at the safety stand down.
“We had a lot of good and motivated speakers come in and talk to the Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Gina Carter, postal chief, post office, MCLB Albany. “The Marines were really focusing on what each instructor talked about. I think that the Marines are more aware of the dangers not only on the road, but with drinking, boating and beach safety.”
This year’s focus was guided by instruction from Marine Corps Installations East about private motor vehicle safety, which included the importance of seatbelt use, maintaining a mechanically sound vehicle, drinking and driving prevention, the hazards of speed and good driving behavior to include texting while driving.
Additionally, classes throughout the day touched on numerous topics to include: alcohol and substance abuse, suicide awareness and off duty recreation that emphasized beach and water safety as well as boat and personal watercraft safety.
According to Carter, 44 Marines and Sailors were killed in 2007. Eleven were motorcycle related.
In 2008, 52 were killed with 27 of those related to motorcycle mishaps.
The rate of death was much higher during the critical days of summer timeframe.