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SUBJ/2024 SECNAV HOLIDAY SAFETY MESSAGE//

RMKS/1.  Season's Greetings to all our dedicated Sailors, Marines, civilians, 
and their families at home and abroad.  As 2024 comes to a close, I wish you 
all a wonderful safe and secure holiday season.

2.  The holidays are an excellent time to connect with family and friends, 
and I ask you to be mindful of those around you who may be struggling.  Your 
local resources, including your Fleet and Family Support Center, Marine and 
Family Services, Military Family Life Counselors, Deployment Resiliency 
Counselors, your command's chaplain, your leadership, Military OneSource 
(800-342-9647 / https://www.militaryonesource.mil/, and the Military Crisis 
Line (Dial 988 and press 1, or Text 838255) all offer multiple resources to 
rapidly provide support and maximize outreach during a stressful season.  
Taking care of each other, especially during our time of need, is an 
important part of building resilience and readiness across the enterprise.

3.  As members of the Department of the Navy (DON), we are made of strong 
warfighting teams built by proactive, critical-thinking people!  We sometimes 
find ourselves so wrapped up in what we're doing that we forget to take a 
step back, relax, and strengthen our relationships with our families, 
friends, and support networks.
This holiday season, take the time to reflect on all that you have 
accomplished personally and professionally and enjoy the moment!
Allow this holiday season to minimize your stress by doing things like 
unplugging from your email, reading a book, taking a walk, and making a point 
to spend quality time with your loved ones.  Not only will it make you feel 
good now, but it will also help build resiliency that's so important when 
times are tough.

4.  Just as it is important to remind you to focus on your personal well-
being, it is also important to remind you of how important it is to focus on 
your personal safety.  Throughout this season, we too often lose members of 
our force to off-duty mishaps-particularly due to motor vehicle accidents.  
Each year, there is an increase in off- duty mishaps due to holiday travel 
and inclement weather.  In Fiscal Year 2024, the DON lost 58 Sailors and 
Marines to motor vehicle- related mishaps.  We must remain diligent in 
recognizing hazards that have catastrophic consequences especially during the 
winter holidays.  To avoid these mishaps, ensure you have a plan, exercise 
proper risk management, and apply sound judgement to every situation.  
Remember that safety is everyone's responsibility!  If you are traveling and 
conditions become hazardous, act accordingly and arrange to return when 
conditions are safe.  I want you to enjoy the holidays, but you are all 
essential to the mission and I need each of you back safely.

5.  In conclusion, take time to relax this holiday season, recharge your 
batteries, build your resiliency, be aware of your fellow Sailors and 
Marines, and stay safe.  I look forward to seeing you well rested and ready 
to move forward into the New Year!

6.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.//

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