Army National Guard safety activities are organized to protect the force and enhance warfighting capabilities through a systematic and progressive process of hazard identification and risk management. These activities support commanders by early identification of safety problems that could degrade readiness or mission accomplishment. When safety problems are identified, actions to address them must be initiated and implemented through command channels.

 U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center

The long days and warm temperatures of spring and summer are finally here, and Soldiers throughout your formations will be eager to take advantage of their downtime by heading outdoors. As Leaders and safety professionals, it should never be far from your minds that this time of year is historically the most risky for our Soldiers off duty. In fact, off-duty fatalities during the months between April and September have risen nearly 20 percent during the past three fiscal years, a trend that can’t be curbed without your help. That’s why we're asking you to take advantage of the materials in this year’s Army Safe Spring/Summer campaign, which runs from April through September, to raise awareness of common seasonal hazards. The complete toolkit includes posters, videos, informative articles and a presentation template perfect for weekend or holiday safety briefs. Please distribute this information and ensure all your Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and their Family members are prepared for both the fun and hazards of the warmer seasons. Finally, we ask you to redouble your efforts on POV and POM accident prevention. Our Army lost 61 Soldiers in accidents on the road last spring and summer, a figure that represents approximately 80 percent of all accidental fatalities occurring between the beginning of April and Labor Day. Indiscipline continues to be the predominant factor in vehicle and motorcycle accidents, so please do everything you can to educate your Soldiers on the dangers of speeding, nonuse of seat belts and personal protective equipment, and drinking and driving. The same principles hold true for water-related activities, where there is little to no margin for error. We must all remember that standards apply to Soldiers 24/7, and just a moment’s inattention or an unwise split-second decision can have tragic consequences. Thank you for what you do every day for our Soldiers, Family members and Civilians. Your hard work keeps our Army safe and ready for the fight! Army Safe is Army Strong!

Richard D. Stidley Command Sergeant Major     William T. Wolf Brigadier General, USA Commanding