01/18/2013 -- Marines, Sailors and Civilian-Marines stationed aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany received ‘Back in the Saddle’ training at Thomason Gym, Jan. 8.
Marine Corps Logistics Command hosted the training.
Back In the Saddle training is an organized, all-hands, training regimen which reiterates and stresses responsibility and safe practice in and out of the workplace in an effort to minimize accidents and keep personnel safe.
The training began with opening remarks from Col. Yori Escalante, chief of staff, Marine Corps Logistics Command. Escalante prefaced the training with stern words of caution, warning the audience about complacency in the workplace.
“We work in an inherently dangerous environment,” Escalante said. “Regardless of whether someone is in combat with a hostile enemy shooting at you or not, the environment can still be dangerous.”
Following Escalante’s opening remarks, he introduced Bo Irvine a traveling risk management specialist and comedian from Hawaii who talks about safe habits in a comedic manner. Irvine, nicknamed, “the Hawaiian King of Comedy,” entertained the audience but was sure to reiterate the importance of safety.
“The reason why accidents happen in the workplace is because you do not view the workplace as somewhere you can get hurt,” Irvine said.
In between jokes, he shared life lessons and personal anecdotes while acknowledging that safety goes beyond the battlefield.
“When Marines are in combat, they’re at their highest level of risk aversion,” Irvine said. “We should work to be that way all the time.”
At times throughout the training, the audience roared with laughter. Once he had everyone’s attention, he echoed Escalante’s words in demanding safe and responsible practice at home and at work.
“If there is ever a decision to be made, do it and err on the side of safety,” Escalante said.