Army Seeks to Keep Tanks Off Its Soldiers

The Army, alarmed by the number of soldiers who are being run over in their sleep by tanks and other vehicles, has started a safety campaign and demanded stricter disciplinary action by officers against personnel who ignore safety guidelines.

“Getting run over by a tactical vehicle is not and should not be something soldiers expect to happen--especially when they are sleeping. But happen it does--and too often,” according a report appearing in Countermeasure, an Army safety publication.

The report said that, from March 25, 1984, to Oct. 28, 1986, 22 sleeping soldiers were run over in 19 separate accidents during field training exercises.

“Seven of the soldiers died,” the report said. “Eight of the accidents involved tracked vehicles; the other 11 involved wheeled vehicles. In three of the accidents, two soldiers were run over.”