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DLA director: ‘Our fallen served a higher purpose’ their shoulders rests the security of our nation. “They possess a sense of duty I think is truly special. Our nation endures because of citizens like those who love our country and are also willing to fight for it,” Williams said. “What binds those who are currently serving today to the ones who have served over the past two and half centuries, is that they step forward, when required, to answer our nation’s call.
The people behind the numbers
and began to search a group of insurgents. One of the insurgents resisted, and engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. Atkins realized the insurgent was attempting to trigger a suicide vest that was under his clothing. Despite Atkins’ best efforts, he finally succeeded in reaching his vest. Rather than run, Atkins tackled the bomber in a bear-hug, pinning him to the ground and shielding his fellow Soldiers from the imminent explosion. He saved the three others who were with him, at the cost of his own life. “So, the next time you visit our national cemeteries, or our American cemeteries overseas, and you gaze down the row upon row of headstones marking the final resting places of our fallen heroes, understand that each name etched in stone has its own story. How they died is not as important as how they lived,” he said. “These individuals served a higher purpose; they accepted hardship at great risk to themselves. They embodied the most important values and the very best of our nation. “If we truly want to honor our fallen heroes, and give meaning to their sacrifices and longevity to their names, we’ll resolve to strengthen our commitment to our nation and the values for which they stand.”
Williams urged the audience to not lose sight Col. Michael Greenberg, Belvoir Garrison commander, left, and Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams, DLA director, salute during the Memorial observance in Thurman Auditorium, of the fact that those aren’t just numbers, but May 21. are people. They are By Paul Lara individually unique and they have Belvoir Eagle families and loved ones they’re connected to. he possibility of rain brought Williams highlighted a couple this year’s Belvoir Memorial of personal stories, including Day observance indoors, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Adkins, and the very real risk of infectious who was serving in Iraq with D spread meant the annual event Company, of the 10th Mountain was shared via Facebook live, Division. While conducting a route with a small number of people in security mission in the town of Thurman Auditorium. Abu Samak, Atkins apprehended Col. Michael Greenberg, Garrison commander, noted that Honoring the Fallen Memorial Day is a chance to honor the many who served to give their last measure of devotion. Photo by Paul Lara “Our nation has been shaped Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams, DLA and made possible by those who director, speaks at the Memorial have served and by those who observance in Thurman were lost. We remember and honor Auditorium, May 21. our warriors who have fallen, not only on Memorial Day, but every in the midst of the COVID-19 day, said Greenberg.” pandemic,” Williams said. Greenberg introduced keynote “As we take time to remember speaker, Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams, those who made the ultimate Defense Logistics Agency director. sacrifice for the freedom and security of our nation, thousands A special sense of duty Photo by Nathan Becker of men and women continue to Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston, commanding general, U.S. Army serve on active duty, and in the “By holding this ceremony, on Intelligence and Security Command; and Sgt. Maj. Stanley L. Hall Jr., Guard and Reserves, across the this critical installation, we’re INSCOM acting command sergeant major, salute the INSCOM Fallen nation and around the world. showing, by example, that it’s still Soldier Memorial during INSCOM’s Memorial Day Ceremony held at Fort important to revisit the values and They’re volunteers – every single Belvoir, May 19. one of them,” he said. “And, on traditions of Memorial Day, even Photo by Tracy Woodward
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Expedited visitor pass
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BELVOIR HOUSING UPDATE Compiled by USAG Fort Belvoir Public Affairs
Enlisted leaders discuss stop-move during town hall “Every 15 days, we’re conducting a review to make sure that the implementation of practices makes sense,” Colón-López said. “And we’re taking a common-sense approach to everything that we’re doing, with regards to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Whether it’s going to be extended or stopped, it is yet to be determined.” Transcom has the responsibility for the moves, and France detailed some of the actions going on in anticipation of the go-ahead.
Housing.army.mil
/USArmyHousing
Safety first He said Transcom officials are meeting with the services, the Joint Staff and industry groups to Photo by Daniel Mayberry ensure proper communications. The command has also set parameters for moving in By Jim Garamone this environment. DoD News Essentially, Transcom mandates the enior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman moving industry must adhere to the Centers Ramón “CZ” Colón-López and U.S. for Disease Control and Prevention protocols Transportation Command’s senior regarding health protection while working in enlisted leader, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Service members’ homes. “Those measures Jason France, shed some light on moving in include face coverings, minimizing crew size the time of COVID-19 during a virtual town to enable social distancing, the fact that crews hall meeting. must practice good hygiene, and they also must The SEAC hosted the meeting, as the routinely clean frequently touched surfaces in two enlisted leaders answered Service our Service members’ homes,” France said. members’ questions. This applies whether the move is from an Mark Esper, defense secretary, froze on-base or off-base home, he said. Moving movements soon after the pandemic hit U.S. companies are also required to provide illness shores, which stopped most military and screening verification to Service members. civilian moves. Those deemed crucial required The priority list for those moving was an exception to policy. also a question to the SEAC and France, as Each year, the Defense Department relocates each service grants exceptions to policy a more than 400,000 Service members, DoD bit differently. Involvement of the chain of civilians and their families. Traditionally, command is crucial to the process, and France this would be the beginning of the prime and Colón-López urged those affected to work move season. The pandemic has changed that, through their leaders on the process. and it will change again, once the restrictions are lifted. What about moving with pets?
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When will the order lift? The current stop-movement order runs through June.
France said there were no real changes with the policy. But space for pets is at a premium, he said, and recommended getting a reservation early in the process.
Commander .................................... COL Michael Greenberg Command Sergeant Major .....................CSM Jason Young Director of Public Affairs ...................................Joe Richard Deputy Director Public Affairs................... Ganesa Robinson Managing Editor ................................................G.H. Cureton Assistant Editor ........................................... Margaret Steele Digital Editor .....................................................Terry Ruggles Reporter/Photographer .......................................... Paul Lara Reporter ...........................................................Dave Fawcett Page Designer ..................................................Betty Watson The Belvoir Eagle is published in cooperation with the Public Affairs Office, 9820 Flagler Road, Fort Belvoir, VA, 22060. To contact the Belvoir Eagle, email us at usarmy.belvoir.imcomatlantic.mbx.public-affairs-office@mail.mil. Submission deadline is noon Thursday. The Belvoir Eagle is published each Thursday — by Rappahannock Media LLC, 1372 Old Bridge Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192, a private firm in no way connected
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• Online - www.villagesatbelvoir.com • In-Person - Maintenance Facility Building 1108 • Phone - 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Request Line: 703.619.3880
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• Assistant Community Director, The Villages Management Office: 703.619.3861 • Contact Your Chain of Command • Fort Belvoir Housing Office: 703.805.3018/3019
LEVEL 3 – CONTACT GARRISON COMMANDER • Garrison Commander’s Housing Hotline: 571-259-9867 • Submit concerns to the Fort Belvoir Interactive Customer Evaluation ICE System: https://ice.disa.mil
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Eagle Volume 28 Issue 21
with the Department of the Army — as a civilian enterprise newspaper in the interest of Fort Belvoir, Va. Views and opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Military District of Washington or Fort Belvoir. Advertisement in this publication, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services by Department of the Army. Everything advertised
herein must be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to the race, creed, age, color, sex, or nationality of the purchaser, user, or patron unless precluded by applicable federal, state or local laws. For Classified advertisement information, call 703-771-8831. To advertise in the Eagle contact Rick Bockes at 703-987-0854. Belvoir Eagle is a registered trademark. Circulation: 19,000.
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Belvoir expedites visitor pass procedures By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle
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etting a Belvoir visitor’s pass just became easier, thanks to a new online process, Fort Belvoir’s physical security chief Amber Flores announced during a Facebook town hall, May 21. The new, virtual expedited process allows visitors to complete online applications to expedite background checks to get Fort Belvoir passes, without having to go into the Visitor Center. “We understand it’s been difficult and time-consuming to renew passes,” Flores said. “We have been extending the length of passes, but I think this is going to be much more helpful.” Flores said her office “teamed up with the public affairs office over the last couple of weeks to help streamline the process to receive” a new initial pass or requesting to renew a pass. Under the new procedure, visitors will only have to make one trip to pick up their pass, after they receive an automated message the pass is ready. Passes are usually ready within 72 hours of the online request. To begin the online application, visitors must go to Belvoir’s website, home.army. mil/belvoir, and click on the link on the right, installation access and gates. Once on that page, go to the installation access and visitor information link. The applications can be emailed or printed and
hand-delivered at the temporary visitor’s center at Tulley Gate for processing. Hand-delivered applications can be picked up after processing. Visitors have two renewable pass options: unsponsored and sponsored. An unsponsored pass is good for up to 90 days for use at Tulley or Lieber gates only. Sponsored passes are valid for up to a year and can be used at any gate. Visitors should be aware that due to the current Health Protection Condition status, only the Tulley, Pence and Farrar gates are open. Updated gate access information is available on the website. To get a sponsored pass, the visitor must be sponsored by someone who works or lives on Belvoir. The sponsor must be DoD civilian or active duty U.S. military. If living on the installation, the sponsor must be active duty military or family member 18 or older. Contractors, including those with a CAC that has a green strip, cannot be sponsors. Visitor groups can also use the new expediting process. Flores recommended group events submit an event pre-vet list. The combined list can be at the gate for the day of the event, instead of requiring each person to pick up a pass. Expedited visitor passes will only be granted when state-issued driver’s license or state-issued identification card information is included on the application. Taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, and other for-hire vehicles are not eligible for visitor passes.
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Program helps with job-transfer opportunities The expanded program makes it easier for Nonappropriated Fund-employed spouses to continue their own careers, even as they relocate with their spouse. The new Civilian Employment Assignment Tool, CEAT, was expanded due to an initiative to better support military spouse employment during a PCS. CEAT better supports the Army secretary’s initiative to hire and retain military and civilian spouses when they relocate with their family to another Army installation. “Our ability to enhance the working spouse transfer and placement processes will go a long way to reducing the stress points associated with a PCS move,” said Photo by Sgt. Melissa Lessard Max Wyche, AMC’s deputy chief of Families, like Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Hill’s family at Fort staff for human resources. Hood, Texas, can take advantage of an expanded Civilian While the expanded program Employment Assignment Tool developed for NAF-employed is a definite benefit for military spouses who need to transfer their employment to another spouses, it also benefits the military installation because of a PCS. Army, which can better retain experienced employees, regardless of where By Kari Hawkins their spouse’s career takes them. Army Materiel Command
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Supporting mobility
rmy Materiel Command is expanding an installation employment transfer program to provide NAF employees better opportunities as they move with their Soldier or civilian through a career that demands mobility.
The program started in 2018 for childcare positions, said Tara Ackeret, AMC’s chief of Civilian Human Resources Policy and Programs Division. To date, CEAT has been used to transfer more than 300 Army NAF
employees, 177 of them military spouses. “Because military spouses are employed in other NAF positions, it was important to expand beyond the original scope to reach all eligible transferring spouses,” Ackeret said.
Comparable position One key element of both programs is that spouses can move to a comparable NAF position during a PCS, without having to go through the competitive hiring process, Ackeret said. Military spouse Yolanda Bermejo and Kierra Davis, CYS employees working at day care centers, used the program last year, when their spouses transferred, with the Bermejo family moving from Louisiana to New York; and the Davis family moving from New York to Kentucky. “Once I was in the system, the process was extremely easy,” Bermejo said. “Within a month, I had a position at Fort Hamilton. It is a really good program for military spouses, because it’s so nice to have a job waiting for us when we PCS with our spouses. It shows the Army really cares about us.” Davis agreed, adding expanding CEAT to include more NAF positions and civilian spouses is better for families and the Army. NAF employees can register at go.usa.gov/ xvPtS. Registration must have an endorsement from the employee’s current supervisor. Registering notifies a gaining location an employee is requesting a noncompetitive transfer and the losing and gaining installations facilitate the transfer.
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Award recipient proud of Asian-Pacific heritage
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Meirong Magee, far left, with members of the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade staff at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. With their hands, they are flashing the shaka Hawaiian greeting, sometimes interpreted as “hang loose.” By Gary Sheftick Army News
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rowing up in a small fishing village on the southeast coast of China, Meirong never imagined that, one day, she’d be recognized as an elite leader in the U.S. Army. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Meirong Magee was recently selected for the Army’s prestigious Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. The human resources technician at 25th Infantry Division is one of only four warrant officers and two dozen captains to get the Army award this year for exemplifying the ideals of duty, honor and country. “It was not an easy path for me to be where I am and who I am today,” she said. “I cannot thank enough my past and present leaders and mentors who believed in me and guided me along the way.” She added the award is actually a reflection of their leadership.
Fisherman’s daughter Mei Wang was born in Dong Tou, a village in China’s Fujian Province where “everybody knows each other,” she said. Her father was a fisherman and her mother was a housewife. Her hometown was southeast of Fuzhou, a city with a population of about 7 million and the capital of the province. Fuzhou had been a thriving seaport since the days of the Ming Dynasty and was one of five cities in China completely open to western trade and missionaries. Mei’s family lived in a county directly across from the island of Taiwan. Beginning in the late 1980s, the people of her county
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Meirong Magee with her parents and brother, who visited her in Honolulu. began a massive emigration to western nations, like the U.K. and the U.S. As a young girl, Mei actually had dreams of someday joining the People’s Liberation Army in China. After beginning school, though, she was impressed with her instructors, there, and decided to instead aim her sights on becoming a teacher. She attended a competitive high school that’s one of the best in preparing students for college. At university, she studied hard for more than three years to become a physics teacher.
Faced with a dilemma Just months before graduation, however, she received word that her family had been accepted for immigration into the U.S. She could either finish college or go with her family, she said, and chose to accompany her family. She immigrated to the U.S. in 2007 and her family eventually settled in Massachusetts. Mei had learned some basic English words in high school and college, she said, but couldn’t hold a full conversation. She felt lucky she was given a chance to work as a waitress, which helped her learn English.
Courtesy photos
Then-Spc. Meirong Wang and Then-2nd Lt. Timothy Hughes make a mail run from Forward Operating Base Finley Shields to FOB Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan for the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division in 2009.
New adventure One day, she learned a customer she was serving was Chinese-American and a U.S. Soldier, and they began talking about the profession. “I said, ‘You know what, let me give it a try.’ I had a dream to be a Soldier. So I went ahead and took a test,” she said, adding she’s an ‘adventure person’ at heart. In October 2007, she enlisted in the Army. “It wasn’t easy at the beginning,” she said, because of the language barrier. She only understood about a third of what they were telling her at the Military Entrance Processing Station and was unsure of everything she was committing to. “I’m not a big fan of working outside,” she said, so they put her in an inside job, in an HR position that requires a high level of English. She met people who helped and mentored her. “The people around me supported me and believed in me,” she said. “They got me to where I am today.” Mei is getting to know new people now at the 25th Infantry
Division, having just transferred there, from the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade. There, the brigade commander nominated her for the MacArthur award. When she moves to a new location, she tries to spend time in one-on-one conversations to understand the Soldiers, she said. Some have clear goals. Others she must “help them to find their motivation.” “I wouldn’t say I can read people well, but I do my best to get to know them,” she added. Respecting each other is the most important thing, she said. She doesn’t believe the values of the people in China and America are all that different. “I think human beings, no matter what race or color, what country, are the same deep down. They all share the same “key core value” of caring about each other. It’s important to care for your Soldiers, she said, “because it’s not about you, it’s about how can you serve them.” Note – MacArthur Leadership awards ceremony, usually in May or June, has been tentatively moved to October.
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May 28, 2020
The loss of a friend, colleague By Margaret Steele Belvoir Eagle
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’m fortunate to have worked with some spectacular people in more than 20 years working for Army and Navy public affairs offices. As a military spouse, I worked for the U.S., in Japan and England, before relocating to the States. Belvoir is the second Army installation I’ve served, and, at more than a decade, my longest. Public Affairs professionals are a strange, yet meticulous, group who can often babble on about an Oxford comma, the merits of a well-placed semicolon or how truly fabulous a certain picture is. Rick Musselman was one of those strange, yet meticulous, professionals. The Belvoir Eagle’s sports editor, only the third I’ve known in 12 years – and the longest tenured, here, died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was always a logical, sensible, calming force in an office often filled with deadline chaos and mixed personalities. Rick spent hours away from home, covering Fort Belvoir sporting events on evenings and weekends. He got razzed by adult players who wanted their name in the next edition and the stink-eye from parents who wanted to ensure he featured their child in the best light possible. However, family was everything to Rick
… and, although exceptionally dedicated to Belvoir’s cool sports scene, in a heartbeat, he’d be checking on his family, helping them … or dashing unexpectedly from work when he couldn’t reach someone whose phone was off. Rick’s obituary reads: Rick spent the last nine years as the Belvoir Eagle’s Sports Editor. He loved the Soldiers and their families and took a great deal of pride in participating within the Army community; from watching the Soldiers compete and learning and reporting their stories, to watching the families’ children grow over the years through their respective teams, the relationships built with staff … he always took joy in cheering for the Bulldogs and had a special place in his heart for the Wounded Warriors and carried their stories with him always. In essence, Rick was a member of their families while cheering them on, watching them grow, writing about and sharing their stories. Jerry Arrington, Belvoir’s Youth Sports director, said he was sorry to hear of Rick’s death. “He was a great person and I’m going to truly miss him. He was a great friend to our Youth Sports Program and never missed a beat,” Arrington said. Rock on, Rick. You never missed a beat and we’ll debate Oxford commas another time.
Lacrosse leagues draft local, West Point senior By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle
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homas Rigney has more than just his military commitment waiting for him, once he graduates. The U.S. Military Academy senior also will have the option of playing professional lacrosse. Rigney, a Nokesville, Va., resident and Patriot High School graduate, was selected in the first round by two different leagues. On May 4, the Denver Outlaws picked the Army defenseman as the number 5 overall selection in the Major League Lacrosse Draft. On May 14, the Chrome Lacrosse Club took Rigney with the fourth overall pick in the Premier League Lacrosse Draft. Rigney must wait on his next move for lacrosse, since the 16-game MLL regular season, which usually begins in early June, is on hold because of coronavirus. Instead of having a full season, the seven-team PLL has
Photo by West Point Athletics
Two professional lacrosse leagues selected Army defenseman Thomas Rigney in the first round of their respective drafts. announced it will have a 20-game, two-week tournament, without fans, July 25-Aug. 9. Rigney said he should be able to play
professional lacrosse, while still fulfilling his five-year military commitment during the workweek, since games are on weekends. “In the past, they’ve been able to do both,” said Rigney, who graduates June 13 from West Point. Rigney was a team captain and an honorable mention all-American selection during this season, season shortened because of the pandemic. Rigney, a starter since his junior season, was a second-team all-Patriot League selection, last year. To keep himself busy, Rigney lifts weights in his family’s basement and goes to a nearby elementary school to bounce a lacrosse ball off a wall. “I have a lot of time to do a good amount,” Rigney said. Rigney’s father, Jim, introduced his son to See Lacrosse, page 8
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he U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the decommissioning and dismantling of Belvoir’s deactivated SM-1 nuclear power plant has been finalized. According to Brenda Barber, project manager with the Corps of Engineers – Baltimore District, the assessment determined the decommissioning would have no significant impacts. Most adverse impacts would be short-term and temporary, and be limited to onsite construction activities. “Overall, the EA determined that the removal of the deactivated SM-1 nuclear reactor would have long-term beneficial impacts on some resources assessed, primarily by returning the site to its natural state by removing all of the former reactor components, …and all associated low-level radioactivity in the soils,” Barber wrote in a media release. Barber said the team is now focused on completing the Decommissioning Planning in preparation for awarding a decommissioning contract, by September 2020, with work on site beginning in early 2021. “We are excited to be a part of this process,” said Chris Landgraf, acting director of Belvoir Garrison Public Works. “Fort Belvoir is looking forward to the successful completion of this project in FY25. We will work closely with the Corps to ensure this project meets all regulatory requirements and that Fort Belvoir receives a clean site back from the Corps, when this project is concluded.” SM-1 was the Army’s first nuclear powered, electricity-generating station and the first pressurized water reactor to be connected to an electrical grid in the U.S. SM-1 operated from 1957 to 1973 and was deactivated between 1973 and 1974. For more, see the Army Corps of Engineers project website: nab. usace.army.mil/SM-1. From Lacrosse, page B1
lacrosse after playing it as a club sport at James Madison University. Rigney flourished, becoming a two-time Cedar Run District Player of the Year and two-time U.S. Lacrosse All-American pick in high school. While he had opportunities to play college lacrosse elsewhere, Rigney was sold on playing for the Army. One of his former high school coaches, Carl Kielbasa, graduated from West Point and was the main driving force behind Rigney considering it. The school impressed Rigney, as did the educational offerings. The highly-regarded lacrosse program under head coach Joe Alberici only enhanced Rigney’s interest in West Point. “The guys in the locker room are the best I’ve ever met,” Rigney said. Rigney had hoped to finish out his senior year on a high note with his teammates. Although that didn’t happen the way he planned, he is grateful his lacrosse career isn’t over. “It’s just nice to get out there and play,” Rigney said. “I’ve been playing my whole life. That’s all I can ask for now.”
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New leave policy supports hina C civilians affected by COVID-19 en By Joseph Lacdan Army News Service
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he Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, allows civilians across the Defense Department to take up to two weeks of emergency paid sick leave from April 1 through Dec. 31, provided that they meet certain conditions. The new emergency sick leave will be separate from the normal sick leave civilians accrue and can be taken without using accrued sick leave. The leave is available to civilians required to remain in quarantine by a federal, local or state quarantine order, employees who have been advised by a health care professional to selfquarantine; and to employees who experience COVID-19 symptoms and receive a medical diagnosis. They must, however, provide documentation of the government agency that issued the quarantine order or the name of the health care provider who advised the self-quarantine. Employees who provide care for individuals who have been subject to a federal or local stay-at-home order or have been advised by a doctor to remain home can qualify, but will be paid two-thirds of their normal pay rate. This includes parents who care for a child under the age of 18 whose school may be closed or had their place of care closed due to quarantine restrictions.
According to Todd Fore, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for civilian personnel, the civilian pay system has not yet been adjusted for those that care for others and employees who take sick leave for caregiving may receive their normal full pay for now. Those employees would subsequently be asked to repay one-third of the sum. Fore said that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will take back the owed sum in future pay periods and increments. He added that DFAS has been working on updating the leave system so that employees will be paid the correct amount. Part-time employees will also be eligible for additional sick leave, but the maximum amount of leave will be based on the average number of hours that employee works over a two-week period. DOD employees who fall under certain exemptions may not be eligible for the emergency paid leave. Employees must have scheduled work hours in order to take the emergency leave, meaning that civilians in furlough status, employees who have been suspended or employees who are in leave-without-pay status will not be eligible. Emergency paid leave may also not be used on holidays or in conjunction with other leave. For more information visit: go.usa.gov/xwCdz
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May 28, 2020
Be safe, through 101 Days of Summer By James Peters Army Substance Abuse Program
weakness; fainting; nausea; and vomiting occurs as a body becomes more dehydrated. Take frequent breaks in the shade and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. • Wear loose fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses to prevent UV overexposure. • Remember sunscreen.
M
emorial Day marked the start of 101 Days of summer, an Army campaign that reminds Soldiers, civilians, retirees, and family members about following safety while involved in off-duty and summer activities. While safety is an all-year effort, this campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing summer activities present unique opportunities for risks. Therefore, we should plan summer fun with safety in mind and remind ourselves about social distancing to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases. Belvoir’s Army Substance Abuse Program wants everyone to enjoy their favorite activities, while avoiding alcohol impairment and large gatherings, to mitigate high-risk behaviors.
Tips to secure a happy and safe summer: Boating Alcohol impairs vision and motor skills to safely operate a motor vehicle in normal operating conditions. Therefore, drinking and boating poses additional risks. Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Additionally, intoxicated
Driving When on vacation, drivers may be on unfamiliar routes, hauling a boat or camper, and distracted by additional passengers. Adding alcohol to the mix puts many lives at risk – the driver, passenger and Courtesy photo collage by U.S. Army everyone else on the roads. Misusing alcohol or prescription drugs can have significant, traumatic effects on passengers can lead to slips on deck, falls health and financial wellbeing, especially if you overboard, or accidents at the dock. Everyone need medical treatment or are involved in a on board needs to wear a life jacket and vehicle accident. No one should ever drink and drinking while boating should be avoided. drive … not even one alcoholic beverage. Moreover, ensure someone on land knows The Fort Belvoir community cannot afford your water travel plans, in case you have an to lose a Service member, family member or emergency while boating. civilian employee to a preventable injury. Heat Now is the time to evaluate and ensure all aspects of your summer safety initiatives are in Whether on the road or outside, order. None of these tips do any good, if safety heat plus alcohol can equal trouble. isn’t a top priority in each and every 101 days Heat causes perspirations, while alcohol of summer. So, when you go out and enjoy ignites dehydration. activities, remember Be Safe and Stay Healthy. Watch for signs of heat stress and heat More information is available from the stroke. Some symptoms may include increased ASAP Prevention Coordinator, 703-805-1010. body temperature; dizziness; headache; muscle
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May 28, 2020
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Belvoir Eagle
www.belvoireagleonline.com
May 28, 2020
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