"Risk Management Policy"

"Safety is an outcome of well executed Operational Risk Management

Missions do not accomplish themselves; they are accomplished by Marines and Sailors, and the equipment we use.  In order to accomplish our mission and continue the fight we must preserve our Marines/Sailors and our equipment; we will use the tenets of Operational Risk Management (ORM) to do this.

ORM is just a common sense cycle of anticipating and/or identifying risks (threats to our health or equipment), implementing measures to mitigate those risks, monitoring the effectiveness of those measures, and then beginning the process of anticipating/identifying risks again.

There are two types or phases of risk management: deliberate (proactive) and dynamic (reactive).  Deliberate risk management is what we use before any action begins.  We consider our planned activity, anticipate potential risks, and develop measures to mitigate or avoid those risks.  As we begin the activity, we shift to dynamic risk management where we – all hands – monitor the effectiveness of planned risk mitigation measures and make adjustments as necessary.  But not all risks can be anticipated in the deliberate phase (this is an inherent aspect of our profession -- the "fog of war").  So the other part of dynamic risk management is to be alert to emerging/unanticipated risks and to quickly develop additional mitigation measures.  During the dynamic phase, anyone identifying an unmitigated risk has the responsibility to suspend activity until the risk can be resolved (sometimes this will call for moral courage).  Some individuals will be more tuned-in to risks based on their situational awareness at the moment.  Even if we do not perceive the same risk, we must honor this individual's concern by suspending activity until we can gain situational awareness and/or mitigate the risk.

Acceptable levels of risk will be different based on the situation and importance of the mission (e.g. combat mission versus training mission).  It is the Commanding Officer's unique responsibility to determine what level of risk is acceptable based on the situation.  All hands are then responsible to exercise risk management in accordance with the CO's guidance.

CO's Guidance #1: There is nothing we do in a training environment that is worth the life or limb of a Marine or Sailor.  We have to preserve our equipment as well, but Marines and Sailors take priority.

CO's Guidance #2: There is nothing we do in an off-duty status that is worth the life or limb of a Marine or Sailor.  I hold every Marine and Sailor responsible and accountable for doing their own personal "deliberate" and "dynamic" risk management in their off-duty activities.

Just as a mission does not accomplish itself, neither does risk management.  It is accomplished by Marines and Sailors who are constantly alert for threats to themselves and others, and who are prepared to proactively and reactively address those threats.

On Target/On Time, Home Safe, Honor Clean

                                            T. J. NEMETH

 

 

Official Marine Corps Website      Accessibility and Privacy       Email Webmaster