thedrifter
02-21-04, 06:22 AM
Estrada laments USMC safety mark
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2004219143741
Story by Cpl. Robert E. Jones Sr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Feb. 19, 2004) -- Appealing to Marines’ reputation for excellence to improve in an area where they’re “not doing well,” the sergeant major of the Marine Corps asked Pendleton devil dogs to emphasize safety in a visit here Friday.
Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, addressing staff noncommissioned officers at the Base Training Center Theater, also acknowledged the stepped-up sacrifice of Marines and their families -- and said it’s bound to continue.
"The Marine Corps is very busy. We have Marines in the Horn of Africa, the Republic of Georgia, Iraq and Kuwait -- Marines all over. Marines will have to continue to sacrifice along with their families supporting them," said Estrada, who struck similar themes in an address to noncommissioned officers later in the day.
With some Marines leaving families behind as they ship off to Operation Iraqi Freedom and other deployments, he encouraged Marines and families to tap programs that could help ease separation.
"Get on to your network. For example, we have the LINKS program," said Estrada.
"We have also learned how to improve on all these programs due to past experiences in Iraq,” he said.
He urged Marines to put their families first before deploying.
"Spend a lot of time with your families, reassure them you will be all right and that you will continue to keep in contact with them as best as you can," said Estrada, 47, who’s married with two children.
Family commitments and upcoming deployments underscore the need to emphasize safety, he said.
“Therefore we must pay particular attention to those that are going home or remain here to enjoy leave prior to leaving,” said Estrada, a veteran of multiple deployments
“I recommend that senior Marines spend time speaking to juniors about the importance of safety. Continue to stress that our Marine Corps, which is a great organization, is not doing well in safety and we are not used to being last in anything so lets turn that around,” he said.
He said preventable deaths among Marines remain too frequent -- including alcohol- related incidents and automobile accidents.
“I get every personnel casualty report of Marines that are either killed or injured because of various reasons. Alcohol-related car crashes on and off duty are a major concern,” Estrada said.
He urged Marines “to counter these issues” by spending “time talking to their Marines about them.”
Estrada also addressed training and leadership.
“We are looking at enlisted professional education. We are looking at overhauling all of our curriculums to ensure we are teaching the right things to the right ranks at the right time,” Estrada said.
“I am also pushing the development of our NCOs -- who I see are the future leaders of the Marine Corps -- and for the staff NCOs to continue to mentor them and take more of an interest in their professional development.”
In closing, Estrada took time to reiterate the importance of staying focused and not becoming complacent.
“Continue to stress that our Marine Corps, which is a great organization is not doing well in safety and we are not use to being last in anything so lets turn that around,” he said.
During his West Coast visit, Estrada also appeared at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and addressed Marines deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E2E2E0399B2AEE3485256E3F006BD256?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2004219143741
Story by Cpl. Robert E. Jones Sr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Feb. 19, 2004) -- Appealing to Marines’ reputation for excellence to improve in an area where they’re “not doing well,” the sergeant major of the Marine Corps asked Pendleton devil dogs to emphasize safety in a visit here Friday.
Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, addressing staff noncommissioned officers at the Base Training Center Theater, also acknowledged the stepped-up sacrifice of Marines and their families -- and said it’s bound to continue.
"The Marine Corps is very busy. We have Marines in the Horn of Africa, the Republic of Georgia, Iraq and Kuwait -- Marines all over. Marines will have to continue to sacrifice along with their families supporting them," said Estrada, who struck similar themes in an address to noncommissioned officers later in the day.
With some Marines leaving families behind as they ship off to Operation Iraqi Freedom and other deployments, he encouraged Marines and families to tap programs that could help ease separation.
"Get on to your network. For example, we have the LINKS program," said Estrada.
"We have also learned how to improve on all these programs due to past experiences in Iraq,” he said.
He urged Marines to put their families first before deploying.
"Spend a lot of time with your families, reassure them you will be all right and that you will continue to keep in contact with them as best as you can," said Estrada, 47, who’s married with two children.
Family commitments and upcoming deployments underscore the need to emphasize safety, he said.
“Therefore we must pay particular attention to those that are going home or remain here to enjoy leave prior to leaving,” said Estrada, a veteran of multiple deployments
“I recommend that senior Marines spend time speaking to juniors about the importance of safety. Continue to stress that our Marine Corps, which is a great organization, is not doing well in safety and we are not used to being last in anything so lets turn that around,” he said.
He said preventable deaths among Marines remain too frequent -- including alcohol- related incidents and automobile accidents.
“I get every personnel casualty report of Marines that are either killed or injured because of various reasons. Alcohol-related car crashes on and off duty are a major concern,” Estrada said.
He urged Marines “to counter these issues” by spending “time talking to their Marines about them.”
Estrada also addressed training and leadership.
“We are looking at enlisted professional education. We are looking at overhauling all of our curriculums to ensure we are teaching the right things to the right ranks at the right time,” Estrada said.
“I am also pushing the development of our NCOs -- who I see are the future leaders of the Marine Corps -- and for the staff NCOs to continue to mentor them and take more of an interest in their professional development.”
In closing, Estrada took time to reiterate the importance of staying focused and not becoming complacent.
“Continue to stress that our Marine Corps, which is a great organization is not doing well in safety and we are not use to being last in anything so lets turn that around,” he said.
During his West Coast visit, Estrada also appeared at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and addressed Marines deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E2E2E0399B2AEE3485256E3F006BD256?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: