Photo By Master Sgt. Vin Stevens | Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Sustainment Brigade and 1st Theater Sustainment Command...... read more read more
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LILLINGTON, N.C. - The roar of approximately 60 motorcycle engines filled the 82nd Sustainment Brigade parking lots before brigade motorcycle mentor and Manchester, N.H., native, Sgt. 1st Class Gus Vignart, signaled the start of the brigade’s quarterly Motorcycle Mentorship Program ride Sept. 7.
Each rider turned their throttle with confidence as they had just completed a morning class covering motorcycling safety topics taught by Vignart and brigade safety officer Armando Alfaro, a Fayetteville, N.C. native.
“Soldiers are attracted to motorcycles,” said Alfaro, a retired command sergeant major and motorcyclist with more than 10 years riding experience. “There’s risk in what soldiers do in their jobs and there’s risk with riding motorcycles. Soldiers tend to gravitate towards those high-risk activities for the rush,” continued Alfaro.
Brigade commander, Col. Chris Sharpsten, recognized the risks soldiers take with motorcycling more than a year ago when he assumed command. Sharpsten and Alfaro created the brigade’s Motorcycle Mentorship Program to mitigate those risks.
“It reinforces motorcycle safety,” said Alfaro. “We share trends and stats during the quarterly meetings. We also pair young riders up with senior riders to practice good riding habits.”
Before the class began, participants were given long-sleeve T-shirts that signify the brigade’s motorcycle mentorship program. Many of the participants wore the T-shirts during the group ride.
“The program conducts group riding similar to a motorcycle club,” said Vignart. “It’s organized and each rider is dedicated to safely riding motorcycles. Wearing the T-shirts, they feel like they are part of a brotherhood,” continued Vignart.
The class began with a basic motorcycle safety knowledge test, which was reviewed later in the morning. Alfaro and Vignart discussed the different types of motorcycles with the class, as well as the different types of bike modifications. They also discussed the most current installation and brigade requirements to ride a motorcycle. Vignart finished the class with an overview of basic bike maintenance.
Following the class, riders performed an inspection on their bikes using a checklist summarized by the acronym T-CLOCS, which involves checking tires/wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands. With the inspection complete, the riders mounted their bikes, formed up and awaited the start signal from lead rider Vignart.
This quarter, participants rode staggered formation, approximately 27 miles to East Coast Classic Cars in Lillington. Riders toured the showroom full of vintage cars from the early 1900s to the 1980s. The East Coast staff welcomed the riders with handshakes and thanked them for their service.
After the tour, the riders stopped in to the No. 1 Chinese restaurant in Lillington (as the sign denoted) for a buffet lunch. With full stomachs, the group mounted bikes for the return trip to Fort Bragg.
For Spc. David Skinner, a signal corpsman and Charleston, S.C., native, assigned to 178th Signal Company, this was his second quarterly motorcycle mentorship ride. “I really enjoyed this ride. I learned how to do some basic repairs from the class. The group ride helped me with navigation and learning how to deal with different scenarios on the road,” said Skinner.
“As an NCO, I’d be negligent not to share my skills with junior riders,” said Vignart, who has more than 27 years riding experience. “I’ve known individuals in both fatal and non-fatal motorcycle accidents. This program can effectively reduce and/or eliminate those statistics,” said Vignart.
Recently, military police assigned to Fort Bragg have been cracking down on riders who are not complying with garrison policy governing the use of personnel protective equipment and administrative requirements for motorcycle riders. Random checkpoints have been set up at various gates throughout the installation to ensure riders are wearing the proper equipment, are licensed and have attended the required motorcycle safety foundation courses.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2012 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 94944 |
| Location: | LILLINGTON, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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