R 211722Z MAY 25 MARADMIN 245/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC// SUBJ/2025 MARINE CORPS 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER SAFETY MESSAGE// REF/A/MSG/ALNAV 039/25/13MAY25// REF/B/DOC/ACMC/08FEB22//  AMPN/REF A IS ALNAV  039/25, 2025 101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER  MESSAGE.  REF B 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 BRACH 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.  Whether operational or recreational, the Marine Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to a culture of mitigating  risk.  This especially holds true during the 101 Critical Days of  Summer (CDS) which occurs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day  (24 May to 1 September 2025).   2.  Historically during this period, the Marine Corps loses more  Marines to preventable off-duty recreational mishaps than any other  time of the year as leisure travel and outdoor high-risk activities  surge.   3.  Over the past 5 summers, 59 Marines died in off-duty  recreational mishaps with private motor vehicles (26), motorcycles (15), and water-related outings (9) being the leading activities. 4.  As encouraged in reference (a), personnel must properly prepare themselves when planning for and conducting summertime activities  with known elements of risk.  Understanding hazards and taking  action to mitigate and manage risk is a personal endeavor.   Accepting or tolerating unnecessary and uncalculated risk endangers risk-takers, innocent bystanders, first responders, and those who answer the call for help.  Equally important, preventable off-duty mishaps have added consequences by needlessly contributing to strain on our resources and unquestionable stress on our families, friends, and co-workers. 5.  Off-duty risk mitigation training prior to commencement of the  CDS period and during the permanent change of station onboarding  process has proven to be an effective means for minimizing the  likelihood of preventable off-duty mishaps.  6.  In support of this cause and per reference (b), all Marines and Sailors shall receive documented summer safety briefings prior to each extended holiday liberty.  Recommended key topics include private motor vehicle and motorcycle operation, water excursions,  responsible alcohol consumption, heat illness and injury prevention,  inclement weather conditions, barbecue and camp fires, fireworks,  camping, trekking, and any other recreational off-duty activity that  increases the probability of a mishap.  7.  Commanders and leaders at all ranks have a profound impact on our readiness by inspiring individual and unit risk mitigation  measures and reinforcing established safety protocols.  I encourage all leaders to be creative when conducting CDS training by choosing a location that complements the significance of summertime safety and its underlying message.  Both the Naval Safety Command  (https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/Off-Duty/101-CDOS/) and your  local installation safety office serve as great resources for summer  safety products and information.  8.  By cultivating a safety culture in which calculating and managing  risk is part of the decision-making process, we enhance readiness  and build strong relationships of trust through demonstrating a  genuine concern for the welfare of our warfighting team.  Having the courage to speak up and take action to break the cycle of events  that leads to a preventable loss aligns with our warrior ethos and  is a trait each of us must strive to exemplify. 9.  This summer, I encourage you to have fun with family and friends,  while also keeping safety and risk management an integral part of  your decision-making, on and off duty.  By working together, sharing  knowledge, and adhering to established safety protocols, we can  mitigate risks and ensure a safe and successful summer. 10.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock, Jr.,  Director, Marine Corps Staff.//