DPS, military train, ride together

By Joan VaseyFebruary 4, 2016

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During a recent joint motorcycle training session and ride, under direction of an officer from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Fort Huachuca motorcycle riders practice proper set-up when stopped behind another vehicle. The rider stops, sligh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Fort Huachuca, Arizona - At the invitation of the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, 111th MI Brigade, members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently held a motorcycle training session for riders from Alpha Company on the Fort Huachuca motorcycle safety training course and then participated in a joint ride with Soldiers and Civilians here.

Six DPS officers trained 10 Soldiers and Civilians basic accident avoidance techniques which focused on evasive actions motorcyclists can take including being rear-ended when vehicles fail to stop while cyclists are stopped on the road.

Sgt. 1st Class John A. Depto, training coordinator, Alpha Company, 304th MI Battalion, coordinated the training with DPS.

"I have been a motorcycle rider for a few years now and participated in many company and battalion level rides while here at Fort Huachuca and during my time in the Army," Depto said.

"I became a motorcycle mentor for Alpha Company about six months ago and took time evaluating the safety program and my mission as a mentor -- providing coaching, mentorship and training that would result in better and safer riders. The end-state should be fewer accidents and fatalities," he added. "My focus is on factors that we as riders can personally affect.

"My program's focus is on three As -- Anticipate (thinking past the throttle, thinking ahead), Avoid (being able to better position yourself when something goes wrong) and Acceptance (acceptance of responsibility as a Soldier and the risks of being a motorcycle rider, living the Army Values regardless of the situation in which we find ourselves)," Depto explained.

"We are easily identified by our PPE [personal protective equipment] and uniforms while riding and need to remember that we are being watched by the community at all times. In today's world that can also mean new threats from people who are looking for targets such as vulnerable Soldiers.

"I looked at the active programs available," he explained. "Most teach riding, rules of the road and conducting basic maneuvers. No one is teaching evasive maneuvers in realistic situational training. I wanted to challenge the riders. I also wanted trainers who bring with them experience and professionalism."

Depto contacted DPS' Sgt. Gregory 'Zac' Swalander, and coordinated a training session for his unit.

"We worked with our Fort Huachuca safety and training partner, Carla Kanak, to secure the closed course on post, the training tools and over-watch to execute a safe and effective event," Depto explained. "Sergeant Swalander's team educated our riders on everything from how to position themselves on the road, how to avoid bad situations, and lifting bikes properly after a fall. What goes beyond just another training event was the one-on-one coaching and mentorship provided by the officers on both the closed course and during the actual riding event afterwards.

"The riders received hands-on training after being physically shown what they should be doing and how to get there. The DPS officers pushed each rider to get better and understand that their bike can perform far beyond the rider's capability. The officers focused on repetitive training where riders are required to push a bit further each time they repeated the task. With each pass through the obstacle or event simulation, the riders' fears diminished. What was a stressful emergency reaction became an automatic, controllable response.

"By the end of the closed-course training, I was a better rider and believe my unit's riders are better too," Depto said.

The Soldier shared an experience that reemphasized his belief in motorcycle training sessions.

"A few weeks ago, I witnessed an accident on Fort Huachuca. The car did not see a motorcycle rider and there was a collision. I really believe that if that Soldier had been through our battalion's training session, he may have been able to avoid the car. If the other Soldiers [who witnessed the accident] had been through our training, they would have been able to react better, even being better prepared to lift the bike and move it after the collision.

"What I saw was that, regardless of what training you have had in the past, you are only as good as your last training event," Depto stated. "When something unexpected occurs, confusion sets in, and people stand around and do not react or do not know what to do. Basic buddy aid goes out the window and the crowd turns on their phones while a confused Soldier, just struck by a car, tries to lift a bike the wrong way in a street crowded by cars going to and from. We should be doing better [with our training]," Depto emphasized.

"There is a need -- great need -- for motorcycle training in the Army. There is also a great need for motorized vehicle training. There will always be those leaders who are too busy and just don't have the time or Soldiers who don't feel the need to train," Depto said.

"I am blessed to have leaders here at all levels of command who support our training. My company commander and battalion command sergeant major are riders and participate in motorcycle training events. This directly effects the attitude and participation. When leaders buy in, Soldiers benefit from their experience and support.

"My recommendation to motorcycle mentors is to understand your limitations and seek out real mentors in your unit and community," Depto advised. "Select trainers whose programs mirror your values and can provide a level of fun and excitement as well as focus for learning. That training may be the only thing that saves a life.

"To say that [the DPS motorcycle patrolmen] were professional riders who bring with them experience and exercise a list of values that mirrors the Army's would be an understatement," Depto said. "These are the best trained riders I have ever personally met. In addition, they have far-reaching experience on the streets, facing fear, danger and adversity on a day-to-day basis."

One participant, Staff Sgt. Matt Wolf, Fort Huachuca Safety Office, said the DPS training session was invaluable.

"The DPS officers undergo extensive training, the kind that Soldiers don't have the luxury to receive. They shared their skills and taught us to be better riders in adverse weather conditions. In addition, training together gave us an opportunity to get to know the officers behind the badge; they were friendly, enthusiastic and willing to train Soldiers. It gave us the chance to develop a relationship and rapport with DPS," Wolf said.

Another Safety Office participant, Joshua Crabtree, said he could see visible rider improvement during the single session.

"While I was unable to go on the ride, I was there for the training. It was really intriguing. The officers provided hands-on instructions and simple explanations. I could actually see the riders improve as they went through their [training] tasks multiple times."

Following the 2.5-hour class, riders headed out the Buffalo Soldier Gate to Bisbee, had lunch at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, drove to Tombstone and through St. David to Benson. From there, the DPS riders headed back to Tucson and the members of the Fort Huachuca community returned to the installation.