overdoing it
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
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From:
overdoing it
I'm all about safe riding, but the Army is getting a little crazy. We now not only have to wear a reflective vest while on a military installation, but are forced to carry our cycle safety card whenever we enter and exit a military facility......I'm just venting a little here, but the folks that always show up on the "preliminary loss reports" are generally young soldiers on crotch rockets that have not even taken a safety course.
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Sycamore, Illinois
RE: overdoing it
I'm ex military so I think I have an opinion on this. You are government property, Your first priority is the military, they have a lot invested in you and you will recieve great benefits and memories for your service. Don't be surprised if the military restricts motorcycle riding even further or eliminates it all together. I wouldn't want to ride with a vest on either, but at least they are still letting you ride. Peace brother and thank you for your service...
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Eastern NC
RE: overdoing it
Air Force here (7yrs) Prior service Army (6yrs/68X). Same deal. It's only getting worse. They (units I have been assigned to) havetried to mandate that vests be orange or yellow and have a specific amount (24 sq in) of reflective material. Can't do it because they don't issue them. They tried to mandate full face helmets, again, wouldn't issue them, can't require them. I've been required to join the on base riding club, in an attempt to make the 'sport' of motorcycle riding safer. I was appointed my units Motorcycle Safety Rep because I voiced my displeasure with the whole system in the wrong venue. It's not a sport to me, it is part of my life, and happens to be my primary mode of transportation.
I've seen required riders courses for sportbikes called the 'strategic riders course'. I was scheduled to gothrough a course designed to 'reduce sportbike fatalities'. None of this applies to me when I'm on the Harley, just the sportbike. So, I sold the sportbike, which, as far as I am concerned, is the underlying goal of most of this. To eliminate the 'safety concern' attached to motorcycle riding. My last CO was a motorcycle rider, felt bad for him sometimes, he had to put up with twice the crap any of us did. Guess it could be worse, I still have the choice, and the ability to throw my leg over a bike. So I dress in the gear, carry the paperwork and smile my a$$ of as I set car alarms of on base. Because allot of guys have $hit a whole lot worse. Thanks for your service.
I've seen required riders courses for sportbikes called the 'strategic riders course'. I was scheduled to gothrough a course designed to 'reduce sportbike fatalities'. None of this applies to me when I'm on the Harley, just the sportbike. So, I sold the sportbike, which, as far as I am concerned, is the underlying goal of most of this. To eliminate the 'safety concern' attached to motorcycle riding. My last CO was a motorcycle rider, felt bad for him sometimes, he had to put up with twice the crap any of us did. Guess it could be worse, I still have the choice, and the ability to throw my leg over a bike. So I dress in the gear, carry the paperwork and smile my a$$ of as I set car alarms of on base. Because allot of guys have $hit a whole lot worse. Thanks for your service.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 15
From: West side of indianapolis
RE: overdoing it
I feel your pain. I hate having to wear a vest working construction but it is getting to be like that so here is a tip: go to the Sears Work Shop and they have really nice safety vests, Craftsman and Carhartt both. They are pretty close to bearable. We were begining to get away with wearing yellow t-shirts but they are cracking down on that.
Please nobody take this as endorsing this mandate, I am just trying to help them out. If any one wants to vote every nanny state office holder out I am 100% for it.
Please nobody take this as endorsing this mandate, I am just trying to help them out. If any one wants to vote every nanny state office holder out I am 100% for it.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Alexandria, Va
RE: overdoing it
ORIGINAL: Maj Franklin
I'm all about safe riding, but the Army is getting a little crazy. We now not only have to wear a reflective vest while on a military installation, but are forced to carry our cycle safety card whenever we enter and exit a military facility......I'm just venting a little here, but the folks that always show up on the "preliminary loss reports" are generally young soldiers on crotch rockets that have not even taken a safety course.
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
I'm all about safe riding, but the Army is getting a little crazy. We now not only have to wear a reflective vest while on a military installation, but are forced to carry our cycle safety card whenever we enter and exit a military facility......I'm just venting a little here, but the folks that always show up on the "preliminary loss reports" are generally young soldiers on crotch rockets that have not even taken a safety course.
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
RE: overdoing it
Sir, the reg say reflective item it does not say vest.( In some places they wear the PT belt)Post Co's have in some places required vest.
If you look these reg have been in place many years and apply on or off post for active duty.And to guards soldier when in duty status including to and from drill.
I to felt as you untillI looked into it.
We lose a lot of soldiers on bikes, most are to metrics, and drinking is a part of it. However if you do some research you will see that areas were the regs have been enforced to the letter.
Soldiers stop getting killed.
After doing my research I bought a brighter vest and made sure my soldier seen me wear it.
I do not know about you butI am darn tired of coming home just to have them killed on the bike.
Last thing I have to say IF WE HAD done our job better kept snuffy off the darn thing when he was drinking, if we had enforced rider traing and slapped the crazy riders around a bit it would have not come to this.
Over regulation is a direct result of thefirst few trys not being enforced.
Fort MCoy 2006 SoldierLic taken away drunk on very hot Metric leaves post showing off killed. In front of his units convoy.Everyone of his NCO's and officer's knew he had no Lic and was drinking.
I do not need to tell you what went on at the commanders call.
They medicaly retired me in Nov. But I can still find the numbers if you would like them.
Good job for one of your NCO's to research and do sometraing on.
PS I took the advance course every year so they saw me do it andI would invite them to ride it with me. What soldier turns down a ride with his 1SG of CO.
If you look these reg have been in place many years and apply on or off post for active duty.And to guards soldier when in duty status including to and from drill.
I to felt as you untillI looked into it.
We lose a lot of soldiers on bikes, most are to metrics, and drinking is a part of it. However if you do some research you will see that areas were the regs have been enforced to the letter.
Soldiers stop getting killed.
After doing my research I bought a brighter vest and made sure my soldier seen me wear it.
I do not know about you butI am darn tired of coming home just to have them killed on the bike.
Last thing I have to say IF WE HAD done our job better kept snuffy off the darn thing when he was drinking, if we had enforced rider traing and slapped the crazy riders around a bit it would have not come to this.
Over regulation is a direct result of thefirst few trys not being enforced.
Fort MCoy 2006 SoldierLic taken away drunk on very hot Metric leaves post showing off killed. In front of his units convoy.Everyone of his NCO's and officer's knew he had no Lic and was drinking.
I do not need to tell you what went on at the commanders call.
They medicaly retired me in Nov. But I can still find the numbers if you would like them.
Good job for one of your NCO's to research and do sometraing on.
PS I took the advance course every year so they saw me do it andI would invite them to ride it with me. What soldier turns down a ride with his 1SG of CO.
ORIGINAL: Maj Franklin
I'm all about safe riding, but the Army is getting a little crazy. We now not only have to wear a reflective vest while on a military installation, but are forced to carry our cycle safety card whenever we enter and exit a military facility......I'm just venting a little here, but the folks that always show up on the "preliminary loss reports" are generally young soldiers on crotch rockets that have not even taken a safety course.
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
I'm all about safe riding, but the Army is getting a little crazy. We now not only have to wear a reflective vest while on a military installation, but are forced to carry our cycle safety card whenever we enter and exit a military facility......I'm just venting a little here, but the folks that always show up on the "preliminary loss reports" are generally young soldiers on crotch rockets that have not even taken a safety course.
Common sense should prevail....any thoughts on this?
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Junction City, KY
RE: overdoing it
Well I get emails from are safety officer everyweek about this soldier and that soldier had fatal accident. More and more of them have all there gear on and msf trained. So what does this reflective belt do? I think we should watch who is riding the bikes and how they are riding them more than what the have on. If the new guys to are way of life ride with someone that rides safe with more experince they would learn better than they do in a days worth of classes with there reflective belt on. Just my 2cents. Jimmy
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Junction City, KY
RE: overdoing it
I'm not saying that you don't learn anything from the MSF course. It is a good course you can pratice/learn some good skills at the course, but I think most soldiers just do the course becouse they have to and really take nothing home from it.