R 011322Z MAY 26 MARADMIN 205/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC// SUBJ/2026 MARINE CORPS 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER SAFETY MESSAGE// REF/DOC/ACMC/08FEB22// AMPN/REF A IS MCO 5100.29C w/ CH-2, VOLUMES 1, 2 AND 5, THE MARINE CORPS SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.// POC1/T. HINMAN/GS-14/SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH BRANCH HEAD/CMC SAFETY DIVISION/ 703-571-4599/[email protected]// POC2/S. CURTIS/GS-13/SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGER/CMC SAFETY DIVISION/ 703-571-4558/[email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Risk management is a core warfighting function - on and off the battlefield. This ethos is never more critical than during the 101 Critical Days of Summer (CDS), which occurs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (22 May to 7 September 2026). 2. The 101 Critical Days of Summer is historically our deadliest off-duty period. We lose more Marines to preventable mishaps during the summer than at any other time as Marines take well-deserved leave and engage in high-risk recreational activities. 3. Over the past five summers, we lost 51 Marines to off-duty mishaps, not to combat operations. The primary causes were private motor vehicles (25), motorcycles (16), pedestrian incidents (5) and water-related activities (5). Every one of these deaths was preventable. 4. Poor decisions while off duty have operational consequences. They cost lives, degrade readiness, and place unnecessary burden on families, units, and first responders. 5. Leadership engagement off duty is decisive. Off-duty risk mitigation training, delivered before the CDS period and during PCS check-in, is a proven tool for preventing these needless losses. 6. Per the reference, all Marines and Sailors shall receive documented summer safety briefs prior to extended liberty periods. Commanders will ensure training addresses the primary risk areas: Private motor vehicle and motorcycle operations, water safety, alcohol use, and environmental hazards. Leaders are accountable for enforcing these standards and intervening when risk is mismanaged. 7. Commanders and Noncommissioned Officers drive risk discipline. Make this training relevant - get out of the classroom and make it real. Leverage resources from the Naval Safety Command and installation safety offices. (https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/ Off-Duty/101-CDOS/) 8. Safety is leadership. Intervene early and stop bad decisions before they become mishaps. That is the standard. 9. This summer, enjoy your hard-earned time with family and friends, but do not relax your standards. Apply risk management in every decision. Look out for each other. Preserve combat power. Bring every  Marine back. 10. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock, Jr., Director, Marine Corps Staff.//