Marine Corps Base Quantico -- For the first time this year, Headquarters and Service Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico combined its annual safety stand-down with a field meet co-sponsored by the Consolidated Substance Abuse Counseling Center (CSACC) to kick off the 101 Days of Summer Safety campaign. The event was held at Butler Stadium May 25.
“This is 101 days of safety awareness with an emphasis on alcohol safety,” said Jackie Williams, CSACC director. “During the summer there are more barbecues and outdoor events and more opportunities that can lead to drunk driving. We want to demonstrate how the influence of alcohol impacts mission readiness.”
She added that the event tied in to Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller’s theme of “protect what you’ve earned,” meaning that Marines have worked hard to obtain their ranks and positions and should make decisions that will support that position and not jeopardize it.
The Marines competed in field meet favorites such as tug-of-war, but they also had to ride laps around the Butler Stadium on a tricycle while wearing alcohol impairment simulation goggles to give them the experience of operating a vehicle while drunk. For another activity, they completed a “dizzy izzy” and then had to roll a heavy tire while recovering from the dizziness.
“It was really disorienting,” said Lance Cpl. Jason Estevez, who works in the Combat Visual Information Center (CVIC), of riding the tricycle while wearing the vision impairment goggles. “It was very hard and I know it would be even worse if I actually were drunk.”
“I couldn’t see anything,” said Lance Cpl. Steve Goettlich, G-6. “Everything was blurry. It was scary and dangerous.”
While there was a serious element to some of the activities, the Marines enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and participating in the athletic events.
“It gets the different companies together for good friendly competition and camaraderie,” said Cpl. Kemerly Espinoza, Combat Development Company (CDC).
Combat Development Company won the day’s competitions. CVIC and Service Company tied for second place.
After the games, Maj. Ross Garnett, safety officer for H&S Battalion, delivered a safety brief. He talked about speeding and distracted driving—particularly texting, but also eating, paying attention to children or smoking while driving.
“It’s not worth it to send a text while you drive,” he said. “Just pull over or wait until you stop. In this region, with all the traffic, there’s very little margin for error.”
He also addressed firearm and water safety during the long Memorial Day weekend. Capt. Robert Altman, Service Company commander, spoke about the financial costs of driving under the influence.
“If you have two beers, you’re over the limit on base,” he said. “If you get a DUI, that’s $10,000 in court fees. Then you lose money from forfeiting your rank and you lose access to your GI bill benefits. So, one extra beer could end up costing you $66,000.”
Sgt. Maj. Thomas Johnson, H&S Battalion sergeant major, told the Marines not to take their uniforms for granted.
“We all have a common sense degree,” he said. “As Marines, you have a lot more to lose from bad decisions.”
Col. Todd Oneto, H&S Battalion commanding officer, gave the Marines who participated in the field meet the rest of the day off.
Writer: auphausconner@quanticosentryonline.com.
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