Which of the following expresses the principle not to accept unnecessary risk?

• A. Accept multiple unnecessary risks
• B. Accept some unnecessary risk
• C. Accept no unnecessary risk
• D. Always accept risk if it saves time

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is to avoid taking on risk unless it is necessary to accomplish the task. In risk management for small-unit leaders, you work to minimize risk and only accept residual risk that is required to achieve the objective within your risk tolerance. If a decision or action adds risk but doesn’t improve mission success or safety, you avoid it or choose safer alternatives and apply controls to bring the risk down to an acceptable level. This is why the statement that expresses no unnecessary risk is the best fit: it reinforces that every risk should have a justified purpose and benefit. Accepting some unnecessary risk or multiple unnecessary risks, or always accepting risk to save time, runs counter to disciplined risk assessment and mitigation.