MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- To kick off the long Memorial Day weekend, Marines and sailors of Marine Aircraft Group 24 divided time between land and sea for a safety lesson in the sun, May 23. Dressed in shirts, shorts and shades, the service members separated into seven teams, and rotated through outdoor, hands-on activities at the base marina for the MAG-24 101 Critical Days of Summer Safety Stand-down.
The 101 Critical Days of Summer is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day in which many people engage in outdoor recreational activities such as swimming and boating. Like other branches, the Marine Corps requires that units annually host a safety stand-down. This is the first year MAG-24 is hosting a unique stand-down featuring stand-up paddleboarding, outdoor class sessions and boat tours.
“(This type of stand-down is) designed to get Marines and sailors engaged and excited about safety, which typically can’t be accomplished during a PowerPoint-driven safety stand-down,” said coordinator Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy Miller, the ground safety officer at MAG-24.
Before the morning sessions commenced, Miller informed the group of a few updates on new Hawaii state safety laws. He also reviewed the purpose of the Drive A Sailor Home card, which Marines and sailors can present to taxi drivers for a safe ride home and the ability to pay the bill later.
“Our number one priority is maintaining readiness to accomplish all assigned missions while preserving our most precious assets — our Marines and sailors,” said Col. Paul Fortunato, the commanding officer of MAG-24. “This safety stand-down was definitely a step out of the ordinary and one that certainly increased MAG-24’s safety posture in an effort to preserve their most precious assets.”
Guest instructors from various base entities including Marine Corps Community Services and Waterfront Operations covered topics ranging from operational risk management to sexual assault prevention. While some subject matter experts led presentations at various stations, others took groups on tours of Kaneohe Bay to point out safety hazards, landmarks and information about water activities in the bay.
Marines and sailors received a brief presentation from Brad Akeo, the senior ocean safety instructor with MCCS Aquatics, and Staff Sgt. Terrance Brown, the substance abuse counseling offi cer for MAG-24, at the responsible drinking station.
Then, Marines and sailors took turns putting on life vests and “beer goggles,” which simulates the vision of an intoxicated person. In pairs, they boarded kayaks and attempted to paddle around a designated buoy wearing the goggles.
“Sometimes (people) don’t understand the effects of alcohol and how it really impairs their abilities,” Brown said. “I think this will at least will give them a taste of the true effects. Hopefully they will get a little fun out of it also.”
Brown said he hopefully having interactive activities will “leave a lasting impression” on the Marines and sailors, as they recall their experiences at this event and apply what they’ve learned to every day life.
On the same dock, Marines and sailors also practiced stand-up paddleboarding after a short lesson. Miller said after chatting with the base lifeguards, the idea for a stand-up paddleboarding session was born.
“The MCB Hawaii lifeguards respond to more stranded or drifting stand-up paddleboarders than anything else,” Miller said.
Miller said instructors at the paddleboard station taught the Marines and sailors proper paddling techniques, and important things to consider when paddling, such as the conditions of the water and wind, as well as various paddleboarding hazards.
“By providing hands-on training, the MAG-24 101 Critical Days of Summer Safety Stand-down broke the mold of ‘death by PowerPoint,’” Miller said. “The event was engaging, informative, built camaraderie and should be used as an example of how to conduct a safety stand-down.”
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ochan Nicholas, a mobility offi cer with MAG-24, said this event was better than traditional stand-downs at the base theater. He said service members had visual aids to accompany their sessions. For instance, Waterfront Operations informed the groups about the large coral reef in Kaneohe Bay, but also drove a boat to see just how big the reef is. He particularly liked the station in which service members learned about diving, snorkeling and fishing from Brandon McBride, a beach lifeguard with Marine Corps Community Services.
“I would recommend it for any unit,” Nicholas said. “Guaranteed it will pique the interest of your Marines and sailors.”