New Policy Requires Marines to Sign Safety Pledge Before Going on Leave

Stars & Stripes, European Edition ^ | March 22, 2005 | By Jon R. Anderson

[grace522]

By Jon R. Anderson Stars & Stripes, European Edition

ARLINGTON, Va. - With the Marine Corps facing a spike in off-duty accidents, all Marines must now sign a pledge promising to be safe before going on leave.

“Essential to our mission, I pledge to maintain my commitment with a constant display of honor and professionalism,” reads the pledge. “I will plan ahead, minimize risks to my safety and return from leave prepared to continue ‘the fight.' ”

The new policy, announced in a Corps-wide message, also will require immediate supervisors to swear they are confident their Marines will carry through on their promise.

The idea, officials say, is to raise safety awareness, help Marines remember they're Marines 24-7 — even while on leave — and highlight accountability.

“This forces the onus of responsibility down to the individual Marine, holding him or her accountable for their actions,” said Lt. Col. Brad Cantrell, a top Marine Corps safety officer.

The new “Leave Pledge” comes after 55 Marines have died in off-duty mishaps over the past 12 months.

“The toll these accidents have taken in lives and on operational readiness was a major topic of discussion” among a recent gathering of general officers, according to the policy message, signed by Assistant Commandant Gen. W.L. Nyland.

Returning from the meeting, Marine Forces Atlantic commander Lt. Gen. Martin Berndt tasked five of his Marines to come up with an idea that might help curb the problem.

Taking a page from the playbook used by high schools to fight prom night drinking, the four corporals and a sergeant crafted the leave pledge.

“We wanted something that would make Marines think,” said Cpl. Terrence Harrell, one of the five tapped by Berndt. “Everyone knows when your name is on the bottom line, you've got to stand by it.”

Harrell said he couldn't forget a buddy on Okinawa who was nearly killed a few years ago in an off-duty car accident during a 72-hour pass when a drunken driver slammed into his car. The only reason the Marine survived, Harrell said, was because he remembered to wear his seat belt. But many forget.

Safety briefings now have become so commonplace, he said, for many Marines “it just goes in one ear and out the other. We wanted this pledge to be a wake-up call, not the death of a fellow Marine.”

Their pledge was so well received by the brass, Marine Corps commandant Gen. Mike Hagee decided to adopt it Corps-wide.

“The implementation of this policy will further emphasize the importance of safe and professional conduct by all Marines, both on and off duty, and is a vitally important tool for improving safety awareness and preserving overall combat readiness,” Nyland wrote.

The Leave Pledge

Marine:

I, (Rank, Full Name), recognize the contribution I make to my fellow Marines, Sailors and Civilian Marines of (Unit Name), my brothers and sisters throughout the Marine Corps and Marines and Sailors deployed in defense of freedom around the world. Essential to our mission, I pledge to maintain my commitment with a constant display of honor and professionalism.

I will plan ahead, minimize risks to my safety and return from leave prepared to continue “the fight.”

(Signature of Marine)

Supervisor:

I, (Rank, Full Name), have confirmed that (the requesting Marine) has an acceptable plan for leave and fully understands the valuable contribution every Marine makes to our nation. I am confident that he/she will take the necessary steps to minimize risks and bring honor to our Corps and country while enjoying this well deserved break from the daily routine. I recommend approval.

(Signature of the first Marine in approval chain)

Source: Marine Corps

[grace522]

Leading the way! Always hold themselves to a higher standard. Auu Rah!!

[MikefromOhio]

Will they have people there to help the Marines spell X?

sorry couldnt help it.....the Marines I know had their crap together from day one....

[tfecw]

I hate this crap. This is on the same level as the HS coach having his football team sign a "Safety" pledge. If Fricken kills me. The Marines have a No drug policy. The agree to it on signing on the dotted line when they get their uniforms and haircuts. Why are they agreeing to it again?
I don't sign these things. I had to sign one for my fraternity, and took it all the way to the national president. I now sit on the national council and they still don't have my "pledge" on file.

[Truth29]

This has got to be from the Onion. It sounds like it came out of a TQM seminar.

[Rokke]

This thing is already making the rounds at work. Here is the latest revision.

I swear I will not run with scissors . . .
I swear I will not play with matches . . .
I swear I will not cross without looking in both directions . . .

I swear that I am confident that my Marines will not run with scissors . . .
I swear that I am confident that my Marines will not play with matches . . .
I swear that I am confident that my Marines will not cross without looking in both directions . . .

[trebb]

Some idiots can't help but try to put these insane touchy-feely programs into the mix. We had one commander who wanted us to all sign a form promising we wouldn't drink and drive. We pointed out that the UCMJ had provisions to take care of the issue, but the forms went out anyway. Most of us senior NCOs told our folks to disregard and see how far the commander wanted to push it.

[BlueNgold]

There has long been an acknowledgement form in connection with leave that puts members on notice that high risk activities are not peritted, and that the service member is at risk of reimbursing the government for medical care required, as well as the associated disciplinary actions that may be taken.

This appears to focus squarely on the concept of personal responsibility, which is sldom, if ever, a bad thing. IMLTHO - this is much more likely to help folks think twice than a the threat of NJP and bills.

[Ruth A.]

The new “Leave Pledge” comes after 55 Marines have died in off-duty mishaps over the past 12 months.

That's a lot of Marines to lose to carelessness. Play hard, but come back, guys.

[grace522]

Still do but apparently some are killing themselves on leave. Just a reminder before you go on leave. That's all. I used to do the same thing when I had 110 young Airman under my attention as the Line Division Officer in my Navy Squadron. Just a reminder that you didn't stop being a member of the United States Navy when you walked out the gate. I wouldn't read too much PC into this one.

[grace522]

Did you just compare your fraternity pledge to the United States Marine Corps attempt to highlight a serious problem? Please read my tagline

[grace522]

You must be sitting alert and have too much time on your hands. Stop stealing my thunder and go to bed!!

[tfecw]

What do you know about the standards of fraternity life?

And No i didn't, If you recall i compared the pledge to a similar pledge in my fraternity. I also compared it to a pledge that is commonly seen in HS and college sports.

[grace522]

I have to admit, not much. Already had friends in college.

[tfecw]

Nice, they must have done your thinking for you because you seem incapable of doing it yourself. Got any more stereotypes for me buddy? Have fun living in a world of ignorance. It suits you fine.

[BBell]

"The idea, officials say, is to raise safety awareness, help Marines remember they're Marines 24-7 — even while on leave — and highlight accountability. "

Unless things have changed, I can't see how you could forget your a Marine 24/7. It was beat in your head in boot camp and throughout your enlistment. We were told that although we might be on leave, we still had to maintain our grooming standards (shave and haircuts) and our military bearing. Maybe they don't remind them enough now, or it's not taken seriously.

[grace522]

I am really sorry I hurt your feelings. I was just kidding.

[TheGunny]

Yeah, your right...those Marines are just a bunch of PC wussies that need daily reminders that they are Marines first. Ahhh the HARD CORE good ol' days of yester-corps! They dont make'em like the old breed any more do they? I dont know if youve heard, but the Marines are still one hell of a fighting outfit, still the best on earth! We, in the 3rd Marine Air Wing have been doing this for years, its no magic pill, but it does serve as a reminder and it does (some how) put teeth to the weekend safety brief. It calls that young knuckle head to re-commit to safety and asks him or her to think first. When I was younger and less informed I rejected this out of hand, but one can hardly argue with the results won by it.

[grace522]

Your Commander told you to have them signed and you did what? Don't want to sound too harsh here Chief, but I'm glad you didn't work for me or, more to the point, you wouldnt have for long. I've been ordered to do plenty of things in my career that I thought were stupid. I voiced my objection, made my arguemnts, and then saluted smartly, and did said stupid thing. I guess the guys under your authority picked and chose the things you told them to do?

[RicocheT]

Does this mean no beating up squids in bars? What, no fun at all?

[stylin19a]

Actually, in boot camp, we were screamed at that we weren't Marines, couldn't be a Marine, would never be a Marine, that we would never it make it to graduation....

(Picture the Drill Instructor with his face beet red, screaming at the top of his lungs, walking around me in a 360, his breath would make a skunk go mad, the veins popping out of his neck and forehead and me standing at attention with about 40 gallons of his slobber on my face)

until after we came back from the rifle range...then it changed a shade...that is, his face changed to a lighter shade of red


Semper Fi