Ancient Chinese philosopher and poet Lao Tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
For the 206th Military Intelligence (Aerial Exploitation) Battalion, that first step was a motorcycle mentorship ride after returning home from their most recent deployment.
"The purpose of the motorcycle mentorship ride is to establish riders, to develop their skill set, and to improve their skill set to make them safer, more responsible riders on the road," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Stevens, signal and communications noncommissioned officer in charge and battalion motorcycle mentor. "I'm very confident in all of the riders with us."
Fifteen motorcyclists of varying skills started their morning outside their headquarters building under clear skies. Their journey, a 150-mile ride around central Texas, was designed to test their skills on a variety of road types.
"My role [as the battalion motorcycle mentor] is to analyze and assess the riders' abilities and skill set based off of the training they've received and to do evaluations before, during and after the ride, as well as comply with III Corps policy," Stevens, a Conway, Arkansas native, said.
A pre-ride inspection to check their tires and wheels, controls, lights, and other parts of their bike ensured that all of the motorcycles were ready for the road.
Once the safety brief was complete and the route explained, the Soldiers fired up the engines and pulled out of the parking lot.
From winding back roads to the open straight lanes of state highways to Interstate 35, they cruised along in a staggered or line formation.
The first stop, a gas station in Burnet, allowed the Soldiers time to review their performance along the first stretch of the trip.
Stevens and other experienced riders on the trip reminded the less experienced about the use of hand and arm signals, how to negotiate turns and obstacle avoidance.
"There are a couple of new guys that this is their first time out on the road in a pack and you can tell they're a little nervous," said Staff Sgt. David Mengon, an all source intelligence analysts and native of Wheeling, West Virginia.
After the short break, the Soldiers mounted their iron horses and zipped down the state highways up onto Interstate 35.
A break for lunch, a tour of the Round Rock Harley Davidson, and a safety video marked the halfway point of the trip.
After lunch, the Soldiers talked with each other and the staff of the motorcycle shop about new equipment, new rides and safe riding practices.
"A lot of Soldiers are unaware of what can happen when they purchase a new vehicle like a motorcycle," Stevens said. "On a motorcycle whether you're right or wrong, you're always going to lose."
The trip filled its purpose.
"I learned that just because you have years of experience don't mean that you have a higher confidence level," said Staff Sgt. Ty Wilson, platoon sergeant for A Company, 206th Military Intelligence (AE) Battalion and native of Albertville, Alabama. "I hope the younger riders can take away a sense of development and pride."
The sun stretched toward the western horizon as the motorcyclists returned to their starting point. A quick after-action review and critique of each rider's performance ended the day.
"Two wheels are better than four," Stevens said with a smile.
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