MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
Returning to
work after the holidays presents unique challenges. Service members have been
away from their work stations enjoying time with friends or family. Re-focusing
on the mission or task at hand is essential for productivity and safety remains
extremely important.
Marines, sailors
and civilian personnel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort attended
mission-oriented training upon returning to work from the end of the year
holidays throughout the month of January. Back in the saddle training was
developed to help service members re-examine the safety concerns around them.
“We know that
everything’s been kind of [relaxed] for about a month,” said DelRoy Tingley,
the explosive safety officer aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “Now we
focus again on what we’re doing and how to do it safely.”
The training is
composed of multiple elements; reviews of local standard operating procedures,
walk-throughs of work areas, guided discussions led by staff noncommissioned
officers and officers in charge, and voluntary protection program classes, said
Stanley Dutko Jr., director of safety aboard MCAS Beaufort.
Subjects
covered during the training included risk management, sexual assault and
harassment prevention, Victims’ Legal Counsel Organization, off-duty education,
and Semper Fit.
“The purpose of
BITS training is to provide a reorientation period for all personnel, military
and civilian,” said Dutko. “We want to focus on the ‘task at hand’ with an
emphasis on policies, procedures, processes and safe operations.”
Back in the saddle
training focuses on making sure every work station is safe in their day-to-day
operations. Every unit has unique safety concerns and each individual command
has an opportunity to brief their Marines separately.
“If you see
something, say something and do something,” said Tingley. “You want to be
concerned about your safety as well as the safety of those around you. It’s
just like combat, if you’re watching his back and he’s watching yours, then
things are better.”
The training
gave Marines perspective on what happened throughout the previous year, and
what they can expect in the current year such as deployments and training. BITS
training is held annually so Marines have the tools to maintain operational
standards, unit readiness and the image the Corps has shaped over the past 240
years.
Training events
are mandatory for all military personnel and Department of Defense civilians.
For more information about specific dates and times, consult your chain of command.