June marks National Safety Month in the Army, and gives us pause to reflect on an important, yet sometimes forgotten, cause. While all Army organizations have a safety program, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command has had many of its commands and employees successfully achieving the highest standards in safety.

Marvin Saunders, from the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity and USAMRMC's Geoffrey Phillips both were recently presented with safety awards from the U.S. Army Medical Command at an awards ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, June 10.

Saunders, a safety officer at the USAMMDA, received the U.S. Army Medical Command Individual Award for Excellence in Safety Non-Safety Professional category for the exceptional safety program he oversees at the USAMMDA.

Saunders has worked diligently to develop a successful safety program at the USAMMDA; completely surprised when receiving this prestigious award as he was nominated without any knowledge.

'I had no idea that I was submitted for the award,' said Saunders, 'But to win it is humbling.'

Safety is a major focus area for organizations within the Army. All Army units have safety officers, whether a safety and occupational health safety officer (career program 12), collateral duty safety officer (civilian) or additional duty safety officer (military), as required by Army Regulation 385-10.

Phillips, USAMRMC's safety and occupational health manager, won the Individual Award for Excellence in Safety in the Safety Professional category.

'It's an honor to be the recipient of this award,' said Phillips echoing Saunders' sentiment while including his team in the accolade. 'Congratulations need to go out to all of the safety officers in the USAMRMC. These folks work hard implementing the successful safety programs that supported my receiving of this award. '

Phillips received his award due to the success that the USAMRMC has had in implementing the Army Safety and Health Management System throughout the command. This is a challenging and time consuming process to implement. The USAMRMC has seven star sites with the final four preparing for final assessments.

Being awarded the U.S. Army Medical Command Individual Award for Excellence in Safety proves that the USAMRMC and its employees are dedicated to making strides to bring safety to the forefront and solidifies the work being done to achieve safety in all areas of the USAMRMC and its subordinate commands.