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Marines combat a growing problem
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We count on the Marines to keep us safe, but there’s an issue that they are facing that has had dire consequences-there were more motorcycle fatalities in 2008 than the Marine Corps sustained in the Iraqi war.
To combat this issue, the Marine Corps has begun several initiatives, including mandatory basic skills classes and unit riding clubs. Realizing that even a seasoned rider may need a refresher, they have also begun a pilot version of the Moto Mark I Motorcycle Assessment Course, launched in September at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, NC. The course was created by Mark Brown
The veteran riders chosen for this were hand picked by their commands due to their character as a Marine, their riding skills and their participation in past riding courses. After these Marines have completed the course, they are certified as motorcycle safety assessors and will mentor other riders, assessing their skills and showing them how they can improve.
As part of the course, riders must complete the “iron cross”, figure 8’s and do so while instructors tried to distract them with things such as blowing airhorns in their faces. After repetitively negotiating the course despite the distractions, they are put through their final test before heading out into traffic.
The course is difficult, with students in the classroom and riding 11 hours a day, but for these Marines, it is all about camaraderie and encouragement to their fellow soldiers. Hopefully, this new direction within the Marine Corps will greatly reduce the number of accidents.
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