More troops killed by motorcycle accidents then OEF

[brewmonkey]

According to the article below we have had more troops killed in motorcycle accidents since Sept 11th then we have had killed in combat in Afghanistan and a good portion of those seem to be coming from the Marine Corps.

It is sad to think that these men are making it through a tour of duty, sometimes multiple tours, in OIF and OEF only to come home and die in this manner. This is a serious problem as many of those who riding those bikes seem to be saying it is akin to the adrenaline rush they experienced during their tours. It makes me wonder what those others who don't ride are doing to get their "high"?

Are these deaths a result of recklessness or the fact that novice riders are buying bikes outside their capabilities? Are these numbers any different to a similar period prior to the start of OEF/OIF? What are commanders going to do to get these troops help? If they are turning into adrenaline junkies what are those who are not riders doing to get their "high"?

This is a serious problem and even though the commands seem to be aware of it this does not sound to me like an added safety class is really going to solve the problem, or really make a dent in it.


http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...20/detail.html

[jbour13]

This issue was addressed while I was stationed in Hawaii. By addressed I mean it was talked about and had a minor implementation of rules, regs and courses that one must meet before being approved to ride a bike on post. That's great to ensure that the rider is safe on post and in the 3+ year period I was stationed at Schofield, no motorcycle rider lost his/ her life on post.

Off post was a completely different affair. In one week alone (6 days) we lost 3 soldiers to fatal motorcycle accidents. The command had good intent in creating a motorcycle rider course. Basically ensuring a person could handle to bike on small obstacles, balance it while moving slowly, etc.

Of the two killed in that one week both were doing speeds in excess of 100mph. It is a chronic problem that has been around for a long while and will only get worse unless we (NCO's and Officers) add this to things that will get you hammered. People love thrills, some are more apt to take bigger risks to meet the need for adrenaline.

We as soldiers take calculated risks and that may engender a slight sense of invincibility, especially after withstanding and addressing sustained combat operations. A soldier may miss excitement and the lure of danger. After some of the experiences the young men and women go through they may not get the "high" they got from the old things they used to do. At that point they will seek out other thrills that meet the need. I'm sure that those of past generations and the QP's on this board have had a handfull of run-ins with this mentality and problems like this.

Anyone have any recommendations on how to address this and fix it. Realistic approaches are appreciated, humorous ones are as well. As an NCO I'm sure that I'll need to counsel a soldier on behavior like this. Hopefully I get the chance to address it before PVT Snuffy becomes PVT Snuffed.

[Sten]

Ban motorcycles. It is draconian but it solves the problem.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Sten

Ban motorcycles. It is draconian but it solves the problem.

Might as well ban alcohol consumption as well, it seems to be working in theater and is a factor in most of the bike accidents.

And marriage, as it is the primary cause of divorce.

Finally, you can add cars and trucks, as most of the other vehicle accidents seem to involve them. At least require five point belts, a full roll cage and a helmet.

TR

[Roguish Lawyer]

TR:

You forgot to say we should ban guns.

RL

[Bravo1-3]

I'm not sure that TR is capable of uttering those words in an affirmative context.

[CRad]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Might as well ban alcohol consumption as well, it seems to be working in theater and is a factor in most of the bike accidents.

And marriage, as it is the primary cause of divorce.

TR

Funny you should mention that - According to the Pentagon 56,000 divorces in the Active duty Army, National Guard and Reserves since 2001.

I thought this part of the article was interesting -

Younger troops favor shrieking, race-bred sport bikes while officers and senior noncommissioned officers often cruise on the more laid-back Harleys. Parking lots for special operations units sometimes look like someone issued an order allowing only motorcycles and pickups.

[QRQ 30]

Originally Posted by Sten

Ban motorcycles. It is draconian but it solves the problem.

You forgot the smilie. When I was in Thailand the AFT Cdr was an Air Force General. He did just that, banned motorcycles because they were too "dangerous".

Biggernshit, I had to lease a car and totaled it, and almost myself, within a month. So much for that theory.

OTOH I feel the above stats fail to take into consideration the relative numbers of MC riders vs. military in combat.