FORT BENNING, Ga., (Jan. 21, 2015) -- The Motorcycle Mentorship Program keeps Soldiers sharp and safe on the roads with their two- and three-wheeled vehicles by assigning a mentor to familiarize riders with the area and safety protocols.
Commanders assign mentors to the Soldiers, said Shawn King, Maneuver Center of Excellence safety and occupational health specialist and MMP contracting officer representative.
A mentor is always a rider, usually a senior NCO, and has years of safe riding experience, making him the most competent rider of his command, King said. Mentors keep records, hold refresher training for riders in their area and are accountable for all riders in their area.
"What this does is it gives the Soldiers, the riders, a direct person to contact, and the motorcycle mentor answers direct to the commander," he said.
With the responsibility of being a motorcycle mentor comes the task of doing inspections of riders' motorcycles, doing quarterly rides and identifying high-risk drivers.
Mentors must have met the qualifications, as far as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation programs, having completed the Basic Rider and the Advanced Rider courses. The advanced courses include the Experienced Rider or the Motorcycle Sport Bike Course.
"The Army was (seeing) a lot of accidents involving motorcycles," King said. "This (program) was one solution that (Fort Benning) came up with to prevent accidents, promote safe driving, and teach new skills to new and experienced motorcycle riders."
Group motorcycle safety rides are held quarterly for all riders in an area for the purpose of team building and so mentors can ensure their riders are sustaining safe riding practices, King said.
"The MMP identifies high-risk drivers and it teaches the motorcycle riders - especially the beginners - what to do and what not do," King said.
Riders are required by regulation to complete the Basic Rider Course before they ride, said Wes Lee, rider coach instructor of the riding courses on post.
Following the completion of the Basic Rider Course, riders are required to complete the advanced course within 12 months.
"They learn everything from how to ride to managing their motorcycle safety," Lee said. "We'll take brand new Soldiers who have never ridden before who want to get in the habit of riding motorcycles and we teach them how to do that, from knowing what the parts are of the motorcycle and how to operate them to putting it back in motion.
"Hopefully we get them down the road a little bit smarter and a little bit safer."
Soldiers interested in purchasing a motorcycle should contact the motorcycle mentor in their area, King said. The mentor may have tips on the right bike to purchase and can direct their Soldiers on the steps toward being allowed to ride on post safely.
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