Riders from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Power not too long ago traveled to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to work collectively towards one widespread, vital objective: making their motorbike riders safer.
Hosted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps Security Division (CMC SD) on Quantico, practically 30 active-duty and civilian motorbike riders participated within the Division of Protection (DoD) Bike Mentorship Program beta check Aug. 14-18, which was facilitated by the Bike Security Basis (MSF).
In contrast to different driving programs, which focus totally on studying and mastering the technical expertise required to function a motorbike, the mentorship program is targeted extra on decision-making and relationship-building moderately than skill-building, stated Dale Wisnieski, visitors security supervisor for the Commandant of the Marine Corps Security Division and beta check occasion facilitator.
“Inside the army providers, all of us have points with sure behaviors and poor decision-making in terms of driving our bikes,” Wisnieski stated.
As of Aug. 23 this fiscal yr, the Navy and Marine Corps have misplaced a complete of 25 service members, with the Navy dropping 19 Sailors – the best variety of motorbike fatalities for the service in six years, in keeping with Naval Security Command information. Many of those fatalities had been brought on by poor decision-making equivalent to extreme pace and improper maneuvers.
“Whereas different coaching programs concentrate on expertise, the mentorship program covers all facets of driving and supplies beneficial data to riders to assist them make the very best choices attainable whereas out on a trip,” Wisnieski added.
The beta check mentorship program additionally differs from different programs in the best way data is introduced – and who presents the knowledge. As an alternative of instructors offering classes and administering and grading assessments on skill-based information, this program encourages skilled, volunteer mentors to fulfill with one to 3 junior riders on a recurring foundation in a extra relaxed setting. Right here, the mentor can consider the junior riders’ talent and information ranges whereas addressing totally different facets of driving throughout every session.
Though mentorship packages have been round – and been required in a single type or one other by all providers for roughly a decade, the shortage of standardized, constant coaching materials or tips for motorbike mentors inside DoD is an ongoing problem.
“The Marine Corps has had the requirement to fulfill on a quarterly foundation, and riders have performed group rides, however they’re not coordinated to guage the abilities of newer riders,” Wisnieski stated. “And that is what this coaching might present – it can provide mentors the path and expertise they should consider new riders and decide how they may help right and information them. It is not meant to be a expertise check; it actually is supposed to be mentoring.”
The mentoring materials offered throughout the beta check supplied advised matters, quizzes and motorbike workout routines mentors may use to gauge the information and talent ranges of their junior riders – and that’s precisely what the check volunteers did.
The primary group, 16 coach rider-mentors, started within the classroom Aug. 14 to study not solely methods to put together to show different riders methods to develop into rider-mentors, but in addition to develop into aware of greater than 50 matters that can be accessible to the brand new mentors to make use of in discussions with their junior rider mentees.
“The data is there – MSF developed 52 matters that can present riders the training they want in all facets of driving,” Wisnieski stated, “And the objective is to lower poor choices via higher training and steering.”
Monday afternoon, the trainers-in-training headed to the motorbike vary to run the workout routines they might be conducting with the incoming rider-mentors later within the week. For the subsequent two days, the volunteers honed their expertise as trainers, alternating between the classroom and the motorbike vary at Camp Upshur whereas working collectively to find out the easiest way to current the knowledge to new rider-mentors.
Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Matthew Sharp, an teacher on the Heart for Naval Aviation Technical Coaching Unit Oceana, Virginia, and one of many coach rider-mentors, stated though he thinks the mentorship program will assist, Sailors, particularly junior riders, additionally need to be receptive to this system.
“We are able to do all the things in our energy to assist them hone their expertise and make smarter decisions, however actually, once they depart, it’s going to be as much as them to make use of that data,” Sharp stated. “I believe that’s the most important challenge we’re having – dropping service members over poor judgement.”
The ten rider-mentors started class Aug. 17, which was now being taught solely by the coach rider-mentors, with the MSF workers observing and suggesting course corrections as wanted. Later that afternoon, the trainers headed again to the vary, solely this time working workout routines with their rider-mentors in coaching.
U.S. Marine Corps Employees Sgt. David Prepare dinner, an intelligence analyst at Marine Forces Command, Virginia and one of many rider-mentors in coaching, stated though he was trying on the mentoring program via a extra vital lens, it was as a result of he needs this system to be nearly as good because it probably can – particularly for younger Marines.
“For being a beta check, I believe it’s going effectively, however there may be room to develop,” Prepare dinner stated. “I hope they take all of the issues we critique and make it higher, however I’m excited to see the place that goes.”
Prepare dinner added that he’s comfortable the DoD is seeking to improve motorbike packages, which sends a transparent message to all providers and their motorbike riders.
“There are people on the high that proceed to wish to make these packages higher as a result of that hammers it residence for lots of younger [riders] that you just’re not only a quantity; you are an individual with a household, and your service – Marines, Navy, Air Power, Army – they need you to get residence secure, and so they’re providing you with the instruments to take action.”
The final day of coaching for each teams included a morning on the vary, and simply earlier than one remaining journey to the classroom, Matt Gentile, one of many two MSF workers members main the beta check, gave some suggestions on how he thought the check was going and the way this system may enhance.
“I believe it’s going improbable,” he stated. “We’re discovering areas we will enhance the content material and its supply. Based mostly on what we’ve got seen right here, we are going to add extra data to our mentor coach information so the trainers can facilitate an excellent higher course of to the rider-mentors.”
Suggestions from check members and service-specific security representatives who noticed the check program will decide updates to this system and whether or not one other beta check is required earlier than completion.
As soon as this system is accomplished and launched, Wisnieski stated the Joint Security Council and Protection Security Oversight Council will assess the best way forward for the DoD motorbike mentorship program.
“Management help is vital in transferring ahead,” Wisnieski stated. “As a collective service, our objective is to roll this out as a joint initiative, and management help is vital in implementing a program that may scale back the variety of motorbike mishaps and doubtlessly save the lives of our service members and civilians.”
References to non-federal entities don’t represent or indicate Division of the Navy endorsement of any firm or group.
