Captain’s Column
Summer’s here! The kids are out of school and the weather is getting warm and sunny. It all typically starts with Memorial Day; beach, sun, barbeques and travel. Hopefully many of you will have a chance to relax as well.
From before I entered service, summertime has always been a critical time for the military. What we’ve come to know as the ‘101 Days of Summer’, the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day, where we typically see a spike in off-duty, recreational injuries and even deaths.
Last year alone we lost 21 members of our Navy/Marine Corps team to preventable mishaps. Sadly, 17 of those fatalities were on the road in private automobiles or motorcycles.
In case some of you didn’t know…Texas is a large state. In an effort to see new things and try new activities, you may find yourself driving a good distance. Keep in mind the potential increase in traffic, hazardous weather, and driving when tired.
Never assume the other driver has your best interests at heart. One simple trip down the SPID should remind of that, which shows that you don’t have to go far to get into an accident.
And as always…if you are going to drink, you definitely need a plan, a buddy and multiple reminders to “stick to the plan.” Don’t Drink and Drive…not sure how else to say it any clearer.
In addition to driving and the typical high-risk recreational activities, I ask each of you to increase your safety awareness when planning an event. Thinking through an event can help you stay safe and enjoy yourself.
It doesn’t take much to prepare yourself to safely have a good time. Even the little things, using sunscreen, staying hydrated, keeping an eye on the weather, can prevent unfortunately events from occurring and ruining your weekend or vacation.
Lastly, as we roll into the 101 Days of Summer, we also roll into Hurricane Season. There is no predicting if, or how many, we will get here in Corpus Christi, so it is better to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
There are many websites to help you think through what you should do for preparations. Everyone should have a hurricane preparation kit, and an evacuation plan.
The base will look to open as soon as possible, but that is no guarantee that families will be able to return to their homes right away. Take the time to think through what you would need for a long stay away, including requirements for medications, paperwork and pets!
For those that work for the base, many of you have heard me say, “I need to you all in order to complete our mission here at NASCC.”
For those who are tenants, or families living on base, you are our customer, and your safety is a huge concern of mine.
I hope you have a great summer, try to enjoy some time off, but please be cautious and have a plan.
I’ll see you around the base!