Today's Focus:
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
SENIOR LEADERS ARE SAYING
"I don't want to suggest that achieving success in Afghanistan will be simple or easy. Far from it. Inevitably we'll face challenges, possibly setbacks, even as we achieve success. We need to recognize that things may get harder before they get better."
-Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, emphasizing to the House Armed Services Committee, that Operations in Kandahar will present fundamentally different challenges and will require coalition forces to adapt to changing conditions.
Policy chief 'cautiously optimistic' about Afghanistan
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"It means a lot to me -- I believe in freedom. There's no better way to go if you live in this country - I love this country. I want to be a citizen."
- Pfc. Andrew Smith, 400th Military Police Battalion, Fort Meade, Md., on becoming a citizen said that it was the professionalism of the Army that drew him in.
Servicemembers become U.S. citizens at White House
CALENDAR
May 2010
Mental Health Month
Asian Pacific Heritage Month : See Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Army Web sitec
May 7: Military Spouse Day
TODAY'S FOCUS
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
What is it?
May is the beginning of peak motorcycle riding season. Motorcycle safety awareness month is designed to raise awareness of the need to manage such a risky activity properly.
What has the Army done?
In 2008, the Joint Service Safety Council identified motorcycle safety as the number one non-combat safety issue facing the services. Accidents and fatalities were on the rise. Since then, the Army has been able to reverse the trend through training and education, and accidents and fatalities have decreased. Motorcycle safety and training remains a top non-combat safety concern.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center's website provides information on motorcycle safety tips, best practices, and training, as well as upcoming motorcycle safety events at Army installations such as the fourth annual Pentagon Motorcycle Safety Event at Pentagon North Parking on May 7-8, 2010. The Army's Motorcycle Mentorship Program connects less experienced riders with seasoned riders at installations to create positive conduct and behavior and serve as a force multiplier that supports a commander's motorcycle accident prevention program.
Why is this important to the Army?
More motorcycles than ever are registered on Army installations. Motorcycle riding has become the off-duty activity of choice for many Soldiers. Lessons learned in becoming a skilled and professional motorcyclist can be transferred to other Soldiering activities.
Roadways are kill zones. Other motorists often do not notice motorcyclists. Motorcyclists must be keenly aware of their surroundings at all times, abide by Army regulations and local law, and wear their personal protective equipment (PPE). There is no luck involved in motorcycle safety. It is about training, practice and preparedness. When motorcycling, you need to be good to be safe. A significant percentage of the accidents and fatalities involve new riders with limited experience in motorcycle handling and training in motorcycle safety. Alcohol and speed were factors in many of these accidents.
Motorcycle accidents impact readiness. The Soldier is our centerpiece, and the well-being of our Soldiers is the foundation of our readiness. As we enter the peak motorcycle riding season, we want to increase motorcycle safety awareness within the total Army family in order to decrease accidents and fatalities.
Resources:
U. S. Army Combat Readiness Center
Pentagon Motorcycle Safety Event
STAND-TO! NEWS
ABOUT THE ARMY
- Duckworth: Asians, Pacific-Islanders help keep Army strong (The U.S. Army)
- Army tries resiliency training to improve Soldiers' mental health (McClatchy Newspapers)
- Battle on troop stress expanded (San Antonio Express News)
- Soldier shows appreciation for spouse's support (The U.S. Army)
- Uncle Sam wants Micronesians for U.S. military (Christian Science Monitor)
- KBR gets no-bid Army work, even as U.S. sues (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Explosion at Redstone Arsenal (The U.S. Army)
- FORSCOM launches Web-based tool to support Army Force Generation (The U.S. Army)
OVERSEAS OPERATIONS
- Policy chief 'cautiously optimistic' about Afghanistan (The U.S. Army)
- In Afghanistan, the clock is ticking (Washington Post)
- Evidence mounts for Taliban role in car bomb plot (New York Times)
- U.S. to send Pakistan detailed request for help in Times Square bomb probe (Washington Post)
- Militants hit Afghan city, but are killed in firefights (New York Times)
- Pentagon 'cautiously optimistic' on Afghan war (Yahoo)
OF INTEREST
- Website solicits comments on repeal, promises not to tell (Stars and Stripes)
- 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' online inbox goes live (The U.S. Army)
- Psychologist says strip-searches traumatized embassy-bombings suspect plot (New York Times)
- Humanitarian Service Medal approved for Haiti (Army Times)
- Fort Hood officials ramping up security for Hasan hearing (Statesman)
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SOCIAL NETWORKING