Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Banzhaf | Sgt. Dwayne Mazone, a San Antonio native and paralegal noncommissioned officer with...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – With a roar emanating from the muffler every time the throttle is twisted, a Soldier prepares to get evaluated on how well he implements safety measures as he rides.
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop “Hammer,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division provides motorcycle riders with experienced mentors to help stress the importance of safety while riding on a motorcycle on Fort Hood, Texas.
“I’ve been riding motorcycles my whole life,” said Sgt. 1st Class Corey Cornell, a Midland, Michigan, native and HHT motorcycle mentor . “It’s great being a mentor for Soldiers wanting to ride motorcycles. I’m able to teach them how to do it safely.”
Different reasons pull Soldiers to the powerful two-wheeled machines. While some like motorcycles because they are fast, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Clemans enjoys the flexibility the bikes offer.
“I like the idea of freedom,” said Clemans, a Del Rio, Texas, native and the all-source intelligence technician with HHT. “A bike is like a convertible but with two wheels and less car.”
In addition to feeling free, the good gas mileage and low maintenances costs can persuade Soldiers to test the gauge of motorcycle riding.
“I’ve noticed the younger Soldiers tend to ride the sport bikes,” said Cornell. “I prefer more of a cruiser style bike.”
Cornell said he often rides to unload the stress of the day.
“When I have a long day at work, I take the long way home,” said Cornell. “It’s a big stress reliever.”
Soldiers must check a series of boxes in order to be cleared to ride. The mentorship pushes them to learn how to be vigilant and safe.
“The first thing a Soldier should do is to address their command and let them know they are interested in purchasing a bike,” said Cornell. “They could attend the Basic Riders Course, where the course provides the Soldiers a bike to get familiar with riding before they buy a bike.”
By providing a beginner-level bike to Soldiers curious about riding, course participants gain riding experience and determine if it is for them.
“I have never ridden before, but if I’m going to learn, I’m going to learn the proper way,” said Clemans.
The course curriculum contains basic motorcycle knowledge, controls and maneuvers. The sponsor of the course, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, has a website where riders can learn more about safety.
The MSF encourages the riders to pretend other drivers can’t see them. This will help them take initiative to ride more defensively.
“As I’m coming to a stop, I’ll pull as far over to one side of my lane as I can, because you never know if the person behind you is paying attention,” said Staff Sgt. Renardo Prevo, a Fontana, California, native and HHT automation platoon sergeant.
Once a Soldier completes the basic course, instructors inspect each participant’s personal protective equipment. An approved helmet, gloves, reflective vest, long sleeves and pants are some examples of basic equipment each rider is required to have.
“Reflective vests are worn to provide other drivers a better chance of seeing the motorcyclists on the road,” said Cornell. “Another way to increase your visibility is to turn on your high beams.”
The inspection doesn’t stop at the protective equipment but continues on to the rider and the bike itself.
The tires, cables, oil and other parts of the motorcycle are checked to ensure the bike is properly maintained.
“We check also the administrative details, from insurance information to licenses and certificates,” said Cornell. “I keep track of all 17 current riders’ records in the troop.”
But the mentorship isn’t just about classes and getting inspected. The group of qualified riders come together to enjoy group road trips.
“Our trip is probably about 120 miles total,” said Cornell. “We ride out, get a burger, and head back.”
HHT’s motorcycle mentorship program builds an environment that encourages safety and camaraderie among riders.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2014 10:37 |
| Story ID: | 139289 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | DEL RIO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | MANHATTAN, NY, US |
| Hometown: | MIDLAND, MI, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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