A different Approach to Safety

716th MPs use relevant issues during “Safety Day”

By Sergeant First Class Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., October 15, 2009 – During a recent Brigade level “Safety Day”, the 716thMilitary Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, decided to take a different approach to reach out to Soldiers.
Instead of using tried-and true slide presentations discussing topics like Extreme Cold Weather and Seatbelt Safety, the MP’s used “bonding events” … flicker ball, sit-down meals, small group discussion, and even watching the movie, “Stand By Me” together as a unit.
It was part of a “Holistic Approach” employed at the various battalions to address at-risk behaviors that have recently plagued the brigade.
The battalion conducted their “Peacekeeper Safety Round-Up” in which Soldiers and their squad leaders addressed personal and professional safety issues, identified Soldiers most prone to high risk behavior, and team building exercises.
“We want to hear from the Soldiers. Let them tell us what solutions we can come up with as leaders to help them,” said Sergeant Major William T. Griffin, S-3 Operations Sergeant Major for the 716th MP Battalion. “It gives us a better understanding of our Soldiers.”
Sustainment Brigade Safety Officer James Jennings said the brigade is working with the Installation Risk Reduction Program to address the issues.
“Law enforcement usually tracks traffic-related incidents, the medical community tracks health and behavioral issues. And of course safety, vehicle, and personal safety issues are tracked by the safety office, but we still might not always be able to connect the dots to at-risk behavior,” he said.
“The bottom line is that we have to realize how to deal with those individuals in situations where their own behavior becomes the focal point.”
Fifteen Fort Campbell Soldiers have died in the past four months due to some form of at-risk behavior, according to statistics provided by the 716th MP Bn. Two of those deaths occurred during the recent Columbus Day four-day weekend. Those behaviors have included suicide, vehicle accidents, and drug overdoses. At least three deaths are still pending autopsy, according to statistics.
The Soldier-led discussions proved successful within the 716th MP Bn. The Soldiers there did not use the sessions to complain about problems, but spoke honestly about their issues and concerns, and went as far as offering ways to resolve them and boost unit morale.
“Instead of just checking the block, or going through a slide show that was put together, we’re talking about serious issues that impact us on a personal level,” said Specialist Christian Stahl, an MP with the 561st Military Police Company.
“Rather than watching some video about a car crash that happened in Britain, we’re talking about what happened to me on 41-A yesterday at Arby’s. It’s more personalized, it’s more localized and I think a little more constructive. We have a little more feedback, because at the end of an hour-long slide show no one wants to raise their hand and bring up any questions.”
Sergeant Joseph Locurto said the group sessions were the most effective means to tackling the issues.
“Doing it this way in this type of forum, it’s more of a constructive forum. We’re all understanding and seeing what the issues are instead of what you only see. We’ see it from everyone else’s point of view and hopefully it gets sent to higher and will be addressed,” he said.
Sergeant Major Griffin said the purpose of approaching “Safety Day” the way they did was to give Soldiers and squad leaders a way to articulate their concerns.
“We want them to have critical thinking and have them and solve some of these issues on their own. It’s not a squad leader preaching to his Soldiers, or a day to beat Johnny down. We wanted that interaction with the Soldiers, and it has to be a heartfelt, passionate discussion,” he said.