Arrive Alive Program, ensuring safety of Marines

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Medina | A U.S. Marine displays a blank Arrive Alive card from Marine Corps Community Services Camp Pendleton, Sept. 5, 2023. The Arrive Alive Program is an MCCS effort working with local taxi services ensuring Marines who have consumed alcohol return home safely, without getting behind the wheel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Medina)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

09.05.2023

Story by Cpl. Daniel Medina 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Marines are known for their resilience and tenacity to push beyond their feasible limits to complete the mission. It’s what they’re molded for. However, this hard-headed spirit can easily be misplaced.

Marines are known to work hard and play hard. When alcohol becomes involved, well-deserved recreation can quickly turn into senseless tragedy.

Marine Corps Installations West is doubling down their efforts to reduce incidents from driving under the influence. The Arrive Alive Program is a Marine Corps Community Services effort working with local taxi services ensuring Marines who have consumed alcohol return home safely, without getting behind the wheel.

“It comes down to giving Marines another way to get back to their residence whether on-base or off-base safely, so we can avoid any incidents that may come from a bad decision,” explains Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Huff, a Rushford, New York native, and the MCCS operations chief for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

The recently published and updated order for the AAP explains all units from MCLB Barstow, MCAS Yuma and MCB Camp Pendleton will be able to receive Arrive Alive cards from their unit readiness or deployment readiness coordinators to keep with them on liberty. This card will carry the Marines name and logo of their respective unit, and will include a number to contact a participating local taxi service. The card serves as initial payment to the cab service for a ride to the Marine’s home.

After using the Arrive Alive service, the service member has a designated window of time to inform their unit and re-pay half the of amount accrued for the fare. The program is a shared responsibility between MCCS, the service member's unit and the service member.

The usage of the AAP does not reflect negatively on the Marine who uses it and, is instead encouraged as an emergency tool. The Marine Corps does not condone excessive drinking or failure to plan properly, however situations do occur where Marines find themselves unfit to drive and without a designated driver, or in an unsafe situation requiring them to make immediate, but safe, decisions. It’s times like these the AAP can help save lives.

“I’m hoping it’s a highly utilized program, or just utilized at all, so it can keep Marines safe and keep them going,” said Huff.

Please visit the recently published order, MCI-West-MCB CAMPEN Order 5100.7 for full information. If Marines would like to learn how to get an Arrive Alive card, they can reach out to their unit’s deployment readiness or unit readiness coordinator.

• Date Taken: 09.05.2023
• Date Posted: 09.06.2023 12:20
• Story ID: 452783
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
• Hometown: RUSHFORD, NY, US