Motor Vehicle Mishaps and Leadership Maradmin
This MARADMIN addresses a critical increase in motor vehicle fatalities among Marines and Sailors, emphasizing that preventing these mishaps is a leadership challenge requiring full involvement at all levels. Since October 1, 2005, ten motor vehicle fatalities have occurred (5 PMV, 4 motorcycle, 1 tactical vehicle), compared to only three during the same period in FY05, prompting commanders to refocus organizational safety programs and enforce existing policies, particularly regarding motorcycle operations.
Issued: November 22, 2005
1. WE MUST ACT TO AVOID THE TRAGIC LOSS OF MARINES AND SAILORS TO MISHAPS. AT THIS POINT IN FY05 WE HAD THREE MARINE FATALITIES DUE TO MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS (1 PMV, 1 M/C, AND 1 TACTICAL VEHICLE). SINCE 1 OCT 2005 WE HAVE HAD TEN MOTOR VEHICLE FATALITIES (5 PMV, 4 M/C, AND ONE TACTICAL). THIS SITUATION MUST CHANGE. 2. THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY" CHALLENGE, IT IS A LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE THAT DEMANDS EVERYONE'S FULL INVOLVEMENT. TO SUPPORT OUR MAIN EFFORT TO BUILD TOMORROW'S MARINE CORPS WHILE AT WAR, WE MUST PRESERVE OUR PRECIOUS WARRIORS. WE ARE A PREMIERE COMBINED ARMS TEAM BECAUSE WE ARE PROFESSIONALS AND HAVE COHESION THAT INCLUDES THE SACRED PROMISE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. TO ENSURE THAT, THE MARINE CORPS HAS ESTABLISHED POLICIES TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE. IT IS TIME TO EXECUTE EXISTING POLICY AND IMPLEMENT ESTABLISHED CONTROLS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH MOTORCYCLES. 3. COMMANDERS WILL REFOCUS THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL SAFETY PROGRAM AND ADJUST AS NECESSARY. COMPLIANCE WITH MCO 5100.19E AND YOUR BASE TRAFFIC SAFETY ORDER MUST BE A LEADERSHIP PRIORITY, MORE THAN JUST THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROVOST MARSHALS. ULTIMATELY, THE TRAINING AND MENTORING OF MARINES, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL AND MATURE MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATIONS, HAS DIRECT IMPACTS ON INDIVIDUAL AND UNIT COMBAT READINESS. 4. SEMPER FIDELIS, ROBERT MAGNUS, GENERAL, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.