"The program promotes safe riding," U.S Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Stewart, Motorcycle Mentorship Program lead, Staff Sgt. Eric Blue said. "Basically, we want to make sure all of our riders are doing the safest riding possible. We want to make sure that their bikes are up to standard. Just like we conduct POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) inspections, we conduct motorcycle inspections."

The drive coincides with the beginning of riding season for MEDDAC Soldiers and serves as an early commencement for the U.S Army's critical 100 days of Summer Safety Campaign. Blue explains the importance of maintaining a culture of safety and building readiness for all riders who work at MEDDAC.

"We want to make sure our riders are taken care of," Blue said. "It's a readiness issue, so we don't want to deny anybody the right to ride a motorcycle, but we want to make sure that when they're out they can actually come back alive ... in one piece … and ready to work again."

Behavioral Health Technician at North Troop Medic Clinic, Sgt. Christopher Sorensen, is no stranger to the open road.

"I ride because it's been in my Family," Sorensen said. "Both my mom and dad had bikes, so I grew up on the back of a bike."

Sorensen has a unique understanding of the challenges that arise while riding, and champions the importance of the Motorcycle Mentorship Program.

"I think it's important because without it, it's not like driving a car," Sorensen said. "On a bike, you really don't have much protection outside of what you wear, so it's good to have someone to ride with or someone to teach you the latest in safety."

Besides promoting the importance of correct driving and safety measures, the program also advocates the use of Department of Transportation or DOT certified safety gear, which can be the difference between life and death when riding.

"It's important to have, because everything you're supposed to have and everything we're told to wear is ultimately for the rider's protection," Sorensen said. "It may be hot out, but we're told to wear long sleeves, and that's if you go down that's one more layer against you versus the road. [It] kind of helps you to fight road rash and stuff so you're not scrapping skin."

Blue chose a scenic route starting from the Motorcycle Safety Course on Fort Stewart and ending in Brunswick. The purpose of the ride is to promote camaraderie with the other riders, but to also gauge their knowledge on safety procedures while riding.

Motorcycle Safety Month runs till the end of May, but the lessons that are learned during the ride today will help better prepare MEDDAC riders for 100 days of summer safety and the rest of the year.