Photo By Jean Graves | Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital motorcycle mentorship program attacks Soldiers and...... read more read more
By Jean Clavette Graves
BJACH Public Affairs Officer
FORT POLK, La. — Soldiers and civilian employees from Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital set out on the first motorcycle mentorship ride of 2021. The group travelled from the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk to Lafayette, La., on Jan. 8.
The Motorcycle Mentorship Program is a voluntary unit or installation-level organization where inexperienced and seasoned motorcycle riders are paired together to create a supportive environment that promotes safe and responsible riding.
Sgt. First Class Nathan Tormala, rehabilitation department noncommissioned officer-in-charge, is the senior mentor for BJACH. He said as a mentor he strives to give new riders the purpose, direction, and motivation of safe and responsible riding in a supportive environment.
“I don’t want to lose a Soldier from our formation,” Tormala said. “Accidents that are minor in a car can be catastrophic or fatal on a motorcycle. If I can influence Soldiers to ride within their capabilities and respond appropriately to the environment when riding, I’m winning.”
Tormala, volunteered to serve as the senior mentor for the program because he wanted to ensure all of his Soldiers and colleagues from the hospital are being safe while riding. Each month the BJACH Motorcycle mentorship program conducts rides with 10 to 30 riders from the hospital.
“As an NCO and the senior mentor for the program at BJACH, I coordinate and participate in every ride,” he said. “I want Soldiers and junior riders to embrace this amazing program and by being out there with them, leading it, loving it, living it; I’m not just paying it lip service, I’m showing them what right looks like when it comes to motorcycle safety.”
Tormala said a motorcycle accident can have a tremendous impact on unit readiness. He said by conducting monthly rides he can reinforce the importance of safety among BJACH motorcycle enthusiasts and maintain organizational readiness.
“During each ride mentors are able to observe and provide feedback to new riders. We conduct classroom training during our lunch break that covers a wide array of safety topics,” he said. “The rides also foster esprit-de-corps and promote comradery with our Soldiers and civilian teammates from the hospital.”
Jeff Stuhlman, a health systems assistant for BJACH, has been around motorcycles since he was a kid and rides his to work every day. He enjoys connecting with other motorcycle enthusiasts by serving as a mentor for BJACH’s program.
“In the motorcycle world there is more than just getting on the bike and pulling back the throttle,” he said. “You have to be aware of your surroundings. The first thing I tell new riders is to stay vigilant and aware of the vehicles around you. We must anticipate what other drivers will do and be prepared to react.”
He said the monthly safety rides at BJACH allow experienced riders to teach others how to ride solo or in groups safely.
The Army recognizes May as Motorcycle Safety Month, but with the mild temperatures year-round in Louisiana the BJACH motorcycle mentorship program coordinates rides regardless of the weather.
“We respect our community and fellow riders. We ride under beautiful sunny skies, when it’s hot and humid, windy, drizzling or in freezing temperatures,” Tormala said. “We ride in the day and into the night. The more we do this in a variety of conditions the more comfortable our riders become riding safely in the elements.”
The Fort Polk Garrison safety office manager, Shane Denning said motorcycle safety classes are offered several times each month.
“This program is a vital part of keeping our riders safe, by exposing new riders to more experienced riders,” he said. “This allows the direct conveyance of experiences between motorcycle riding enthusiasts.”
Denning said the classes offered include Motorcycle Basic Rider, Experienced Rider and Military Sports Bike Rider courses. Soldiers should talk to their unit or battalion level senior motorcycle mentor to register for training.
Editor note: For more information about the motorcycle mentorship program visit the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s website at https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/PMV-2-Motorcycles/MotorcycleMentorshipProgram(MMP)
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2021 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 386959 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 252 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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