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LOGISTICS -
SUPPORTING THE OFFENSE

CHAPTER IV - SAFETY

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Safety is a key function of mission accomplishment. It is a concept that often falls by the wayside during offensive operations. Failure to follow safety at all times costs lives and degrades combat power. This is especially significant for logisticians. Four areas that must constantly be emphasized to both soldiers and leaders are:

Land Navigation
Vehicle Operations
Unexploded Munitions
Leaders Responsibility

Land Navigation: CSS soldiers too often become lost on the battlefield and wander into enemy areas. This is true at CTCs and was true during Operation DESERT STORM. During Operation DESERT STORM, a transporter, operating as part of a convoy, became lost and was captured by the Iraqis. At the CTCs, the term "attack ambulance" is often used. It alludes to the fact that some ambulances get lost on the battlefield and end up on the wrong side of the line of departure (LD). Every vehicle needs to be equipped with a map and a compass. Land navigation and map reading are skills that must be taught for all CSS soldiers. They must be emphasized and practiced during both day and periods of limited visibility. Training should be emphasized during ODP, NCODP, and SGT S TIME. These tasks should support every unit s METL.

Vehicle Operators: During Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, young truck drivers often traveled up and down main supply routes (MSRs) at hazardous speeds. This accounted for several unnecessary deaths. Another, often misunderstood, safety consideration involves the use of an assistant driver. Those vehicles that require assistant drivers must not be operated without one. Failure to use an assistant driver can lead to serious consequences, such as drivers falling asleep or becoming overworked. Fast-paced offensive operations require responsiveness. However, this can be offset with thorough planning. If a soldier must race to get supplies to a unit on time, then a leader has failed to plan properly.

Unexploded Munitions: Often, nothing can be more tempting to a young soldier than unexploded munitions. They are seen as "neat" mementos of combat actions, and trophies to display to their loved ones back home. During Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, several soldiers discovered, the "hard way," just how neat unexploded rounds can be. Educate soldiers on the dangers of unexploded munitions.

Leaders Responsibility: The burden of operating safely in combat falls squarely on the shoulders of leaders, officers and noncommissioned officers. Commanders must place increased emphasis on safety during combat operations. Safety must be the norm, not the exception. NCOs must ensure soldiers are coached on safe operating practices. Leaders must perform a safety assessment during the planning of operations to ensure that safety precautions are factored into the execution of missions.

VIGNETTE Two soldiers died during Operation DESERT STORM when their substandard fighting position caved in on them.

Leaders must perform during operations safety checks to ensure soldiers know, understand, and are applying safety standards. More soldiers died from nonbattle injuries during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM than from combat operations. Operating safely is not part of the job, it is the job! For further explanation of how to manage risks and ensure safety is factored into all planning, see CALL Newsletter, FORCE PROTECTION (SAFETY), December 1993.

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Chapter III: Supporting the Offense - After
Appendix - Glossary