Fort Bliss Monitor

35th ADA stands down for safety

Staff Sgt. Dave Enders
35th ADA Bde. Public Affairs

More than 500 Soldiers from the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade took a new approach to routine training when they relaxed in casual civilian clothing at Kelly Park for Safety Day Training, May 18.

Training and Doc-trine Command re-quires Soldiers to at-tend Safety Day Train-ing annually.

“Since this is a TRADOC post we must conduct the training,” said 1st Lt. Lilia Coleman, who organized the activities. “Our installation commander in turn determines his training requirements for the installation.”
Soldiers met and exceeded the Fort Bliss requirements by participating in hands-on training in motor vehicle safety, heat injury prevention, recreational and water safety, risk management, fire and grill safety, alcohol awareness, child car seat safety and motorcycle safety.

“I’ve always known our brigade to conduct Safety Day at the motor pool in the duty uniform,” explained Coleman. “When Soldiers think of Safety Day, they usually think of another day of mandatory training and are not too enthused to conduct the training. I wanted to go with civilian clothes to break the monotony.

“I already knew that the weather would be very hot so I opted for the casual clothing so everyone would feel comfortable. We also allowed Soldiers to bring lawn chairs for added comfort. I think the fact that we were in civilian clothes and at the Park allowed the Soldiers to relax and just enjoy the training.”

For lunch, the dining facility provided a barbeque, said Coleman. “I would definitely recommend that other units use the more casual approach. Al-though the training is mandatory, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun. When Soldiers enjoy what they are doing, everyone benefits.

“Safety Day should not be a long drawn-out day. Soldiers should walk away from Safety Day and be able to say they actually learned something new or that they got something out of the training.”



www.bliss.army.mil		Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 27, 2004

<font size="-1"><em>‘Safety Day should not be a long <br> drawn-out day. Soldiers should walk away from Safety Day and be able to say they actually learned something new or that they got something out of the training.’</em></font> <font size="-1"><br> 1st Lt. Lilia Coleman<br> Training Day Organizer </font> <MAP NAME="boxmap-p11"> <AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="13, 588, 102, 600" HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > </MAP>	35th ADA stands down for safety Staff Sgt. Dave Enders 35th ADA Bde. Public Affairs More than 500 Soldiers from the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade took a new approach to routine training when they relaxed in casual civilian clothing at Kelly Park for Safety Day Training, May 18. Training and Doc-trine Command re-quires Soldiers to at-tend Safety Day Train-ing annually. “Since this is a TRADOC post we must conduct the training,” said 1st Lt. Lilia Coleman, who organized the activities. “Our installation commander in turn determines his training requirements for the installation.” Soldiers met and exceeded the Fort Bliss requirements by participating in hands-on training in motor vehicle safety, heat injury prevention, recreational and water safety, risk management, fire and grill safety, alcohol awareness, child car seat safety and motorcycle safety. “I’ve always known our brigade to conduct Safety Day at the motor pool in the duty uniform,” explained Coleman. “When Soldiers think of Safety Day, they usually think of another day of mandatory training and are not too enthused to conduct the training. I wanted to go with civilian clothes to break the monotony. “I already knew that the weather would be very hot so I opted for the casual clothing so everyone would feel comfortable. We also allowed Soldiers to bring lawn chairs for added comfort. I think the fact that we were in civilian clothes and at the Park allowed the Soldiers to relax and just enjoy the training.” For lunch, the dining facility provided a barbeque, said Coleman. “I would definitely recommend that other units use the more casual approach. Al-though the training is mandatory, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun. When Soldiers enjoy what they are doing, everyone benefits. “Safety Day should not be a long drawn-out day. Soldiers should walk away from Safety Day and be able to say they actually learned something new or that they got something out of the training.”