My brother had served four years in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and was in the Gulf War. I'm sure he considered facing the Iraqi Army a real danger, but like most of us, he may have taken the destructive power of his car for granted. If someone is injured in a car accident, they may not be able to uphold their duties they have sworn to fulfill. All injuries directly impact personal readiness and our ability to mobilize worldwide. Whether it's in peacetime or during war, our country needs us to be fully operational so we can accomplish the mission.
Prevention begins with our individual awareness.
Don't take your car for granted. Keep it in good running order, not just for your safety, but for the safety of others. I had driven the car two weeks before the accident, and I noticed I could turn the steering wheel half a turn before the worn teeth of the steering gear would engage and turn the car. My brother continued to drive the car, although the vehicle was unfit for highway use. That worn steering gear may have contributed to the accident, but it only played a minor role in comparison to my brother's attitude toward driving safety.