Live from AUSA at the IMCOM Booth: SGT Woof

Sergeant Woof here, bloggin’ at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Expo in D.C. I’m here every day of the event to woof about UXO safety.

For you civilians out there, UXO stands for “unexploded ordnance,” and it can be a real danger in areas where the military has conducted training in the past. Some of these areas are now available for public uses, such as recreation, business or residential. In some cases, UXO is known to be present on such land; in others it may have gone undetected for years. It could be laying on the ground, be buried or found in water.

My motto is “If you did not drop it, do not pick it up,” but there is another simple way to remember what to do if you see something that might be a UXO – I call it the “3Rs” of UXO safety: Recognize, Retreat, Report. First, recognize when you see a UXO. Second, “retreat” -- do not touch or disturb it and move carefully away. Finally, report what you saw and where you saw it by calling 9-1-1.

Understanding the risks associated with UXO and knowing what to do can help keep you safe. So don’t forget to Recognize, Retreat, and Report!

C’mon by the IMCOM booth (#3511) to grab some UXO safety materials, find me on the stage for a photo op or to scratch me behind the ears 0900-1000 today through Wednesday, 1200-1300 today, 1500-1600 Tuesday or 1400-1500 Wednesday.

If you can’t come by to see me, go to http://aec.army.mil/usaec/cleanup/mmrp02.html for more UXO safety information.

WOOF!