Air Force inspires Army motorcycle mentorship program

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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (AFPN) --  The U.S. Army recently began testing its motorcycle mentorship program at selected installations since being inspired by the success of the Air Force's program.

Air Force officials claim about a 50-percent reduction in motorcycle accidents since introducing the program in 2004. Fiscal 2006 statistics show that Air Force motorcycle fatalities are about half those occurring in the Army.

While the Army has a greater population than the Air Force, both services agree that the loss of even one member to these preventable accidents is unacceptable.

In the first five months of fiscal 2006, five Airmen were killed in motorcycle accidents compared to 11 Soldiers. That's a figure Army leaders hope will change now that they have initiated their own mentorship program.

"We expect that the Army motorcycle mentorship program will have the same impact and help the less-experienced riders and seasoned riders create a supportive environment of responsible motorcycle riding," said Chief Warrant Officer Earnest Eakins, motorcycle safety program manager for the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

In support of the mentorship program, the Army "Own the Edge" campaign is kicking into full gear and helping Soldiers get into a new frame of mind in terms of motorcycle safety. Own the Edge is an Army initiative focused on reducing Army losses and teaching Soldiers how to stay in the fight through composite risk management.

After years of steady decline in motorcycle accidents, the trend has reversed as more people are taking up, or getting back into, motorcycling. More than 4 million motorcycles are registered in the United States, and the number of motorcycle fatalities across the nation was up 10 percent in 2003, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Similar statistics spawned the development of the Air Force's motorcycle mentoring concept. The Air Force suffered 44 motorcycle fatalities in fiscal 2002 and 2003, nearly triple the number of fatalities the two previous years.

The Army is currently experiencing its own increase. The service lost 45 Soldiers to motorcycle accidents during fiscal 2005, a dramatic increase from the 23 Soldiers lost in fiscal 2004.

"Each and every one of our Soldiers is an essential part of our Army force and combat readiness, and our goal is to empower Soldiers at all levels with tools and programs to preserve our greatest asset -- America's sons and daughters," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Smith, USACRC commander.

About 33,425 motorcycles are currently registered on Army installations, so it is important that commanders and unit supervisors ensure all their Soldiers who own motorcycles, or plan to own or ride a motorcycle, complete the required motorcycle safety courses and take part in the mentorship program, General Smith said.

Tech. Sgt. James Womack of the 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, said he agrees that leadership involvement is critical to motorcycle mentorship and saving lives.

"Commanders and supervisors can and must contribute to motorcycle accident prevention," the sergeant said. "Communication and proper training are powerful tools that prevent unnecessary accidents and mitigate the severity of those that do occur."

The NCO investigated a motorcycle accident earlier this year that he said he felt could have been prevented. Though the rider escaped death, Womack said the motorcyclist hadn't been trained and didn't understand his responsibilities.

"He said he believed he only needed training to ride on base," he said. "Don't assume your people are riding safely and are in compliance with regulations. Identify your riders and point them toward safer riding. Talk to all riders about their responsibilities for training and use of personal protective equipment. Recommend that riders, regardless of experience level, accomplish refresher training and take part in the mentorship program."

Though the Army motorcycle mentorship program is in a state of infancy, service leaders believe it will grow and make a great impact on reducing motorcycle fatalities by getting Soldiers in a new frame of mind. 

(Courtesy of U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center Public Affairs)