MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - As the holidays end, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Marines, Sailors and civilians might find it difficult to get back into a work mindset. As part of a Corps-wide initiative, all station service members and civilian employees attended Back in the Saddle training Jan. 6-10.
B.I.T.S. training helps service members and civilian employees refresh their knowledge of safety standards and Marine Corps and local policies.
During the training, Marines and civilian employees review workplace safety and potential hazards; Marine Corps and station policies regarding hazing, equal opportunity and inclement weather; and best practices to avoid possible injuries while on and off duty, said Michael P. Granger, a safety and occupational health specialist with Marine and Family programs.
“During the holidays, when the operational tempo tends to slow down and personnel take leave to enjoy time with their families and friends, they may lose focus on their role in the accomplishment of the mission,” said Granger. “The purpose of the Back in the Saddle training is to refocus and reengage operations in a safe manner and for all personnel to be ready to execute the complex and demanding mission at the start of the New Year.”
B.I.T.S. training helps service members and civilian employees refocus on their duties after what is traditionally a period of low operational tempo during the holidays, said Granger.
“Stopping to refocus and reengage operations affords leadership and management the opportunity to review how they do business,” he said. “By reviewing all these procedures we ensure they are sound and in place to not only accomplish the mission, but to safeguard our Marines, Sailors and civilian employees.”
The Voluntary Protection Program, a new incentive program for civilian employees sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, recognizes employers who set the standard in safety excellence, said Granger.
“This new program was signed by Col. Pappas and makes it very clear about his commitment to creating and providing a safe work environment for the employees of Cherry Point,” he said.
Reviewing job hazards and SOPs can help build strong unit cohesion and morale, according to Lance Cpl. Adrian Mendoza, a training clerk with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2.
“This type of training is necessary for us to review and create a safer working environment as well as getting back to the mission,” said Mendoza. “When we create a safer work environment, we remove some of the stress the job may present.”
In addition to creating a safer work environment, the training help service members focus on reviewing recent mishaps causing restricted duty or lost-time injuries.
“I feel it’s important to review past mishaps so we can learn from our mistakes,” said Mendoza. “When something bad happens we take the proper steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
B.I.T.S. training is important for unit cohesion and overall safety and efficiency, according to Granger.
“With this training, we definitely get back to the tasks at hand,” he said.