Summary of II MEF Motorcycle Mishaps

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Summary of II MEF Motorcycle Mishaps
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Motorcycle Mishaps Summary FY-06 to Present

Note 2d MAW had 51 Motorcycle incidents in FY-07
Total
10
(X) Total USMC Deaths
(3)
(17)
(19)
12
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Note Does not include 2 ATV and 3 Dirt Bike
Incidents
18
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Detailed Mishap Data

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Detailed Mishap Data

8 N/A
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Detailed Mishap Data
Post Deployment

13 within 1 yr post deployment
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Detailed Mishap Data
Training and Experience

Only 2 above the age of 26 17 were 22 yrs old or
younger No one above 32 yrs of age
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Current II MEF Policies

• MCO 5100.19D
• Training
• Must Complete Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
  or Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA)
  approved curriculum.
• Hands on Training.
• Performance Based and Knowledge Based Evaluation.
• Commanders may authorized operation for 30 days
  while Marines await training.
• Provided at no-cost to Marine or sailor.
• Entered in SRB/OQR and Unit Diary.
• Licensing
• Appropriate State License
• PPE Requirements (Punitive in Nature)
• Properly fastened Helmet that meets SNELL, ANSI
  or DOT standards.
• Impact or shattered resistant goggles.
• Brightly covered outer garment or reflective
  upper garment (at night)
• Hard soled shoes with heels
• Long sleeve shirt, long pants and full-fingered
  gloves
• Off-road above plus knee and shin guards and
  padded gloves

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Current II MEF Policies

• MCBCL BO P5560.2M
• Training
• Same as the MCO
• Base Registration Requirements
• Appropriate State License with appropriate
  Motorcycle endorsement.
• Proof of completion of MSF Training.
• If not trained may get 3-day temp pass to
  complete training on base.
• Current State Registration.
• Current State Inspection Sticker.
• Proof of Insurance.
• PPE Requirements
• Same as MCO except
• Must wear an approved reflective vest that is
  international orange, bright yellow or lime green
  in color. Black reflective vest are not
  authorized. Each vest will have a minimum of two
  reflective stripes which goes from hem to hem and
  side to side.
• Sandals, open toe or soft-shell athletic shoes
  are prohibited.

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Current II MEF Policies

• II MEF Policy Letter 01-04
• II MEF Force Preservation Campaign Plan
• Mentoring/ORM
• Under review by II MEF SgtMaj

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Current II MEF Policies

• II MEF Policy Letter 03-06 - II MEF Motorcycle
  Club Program
• Mandatory for all Battalion/Squadron level
  commands and higher.
• Leverage of the most seasoned and experienced
  riders to mentor new riders
• Club Participation is mandatory for all Marines
  and Sailors who own or operate a motorcycle on or
  off base.
• Have monthly meetings during duty hours
• Club President assigned by commander based on
  seniority, maturity, professionalism and overall
  motorcycle riding experience.
• Club President required to keep on file with unit
  safety department
• Appointment letters
• Enrollment rosters
• Member Statement of Understanding
• Monthly training attendance roster
• Monthly training events
• Sets MSF Beginners course as the minimum
  requirement.

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Current II MEF Policies

• Beginner and Advance MSF Training
• Coordinating agency is MCB Camp Lejeune Base
  Safety
• No cost to service member or DOD civilian ( II
  MEF reimburses MCBCL)
• Beginner Course - 100
• Advanced Course - 50
• Course primarily taught at CCCC.
• High demand the Base seeks quotas from
  surrounding community colleges
• Commands with certified MSF instructors can hold
  their own courses
• Marine goes to MCB Safety to get voucher and sign
  up for class.
• Normally accommodated within 1 week of request
• Perceived backlog occurs when the individual
  Marine or Command places caveats to when Marine
  can attend. (not during week days, cant/wont
  use own Motorcycle)
• Course completion should be annotated in the
  marines SRB/OQR and a unit diary entry should be
  made.
• CCCC has 10 Motorcycles for use by Marines that
  are on the fence as to buy or not buy or Marines
  that do not yet own motorcycles
• Advanced course is rarely requested ( last course
  in May 07 only 3 requested a seat)
• Focus is on orientation, familiarity and slow/low
  speed handling

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Current II MEF Policies

• Keith Code Advanced Motorcycle Training
• 2 Classes of 30 Marines in FY-07/1 Class of 30 in
  FY-06
• Anticipating 8 Classes in FY-08 ( 2 x MCAS Cherry
  Point, 2 x MCAS Beaufort,
• 4 x MCAS New River)
• Focus is on MC Club leadership IOT facilitate
  training and mentorship at the clubs
• Two-day course.
• Cost is 30K per class of 30
• Prior to initiating training, technical
  inspections were performed on all motorcycles.
• Following skill sets were covered
• Low speed steering drill
• High speed steering drill
• Multiple speed braking drill
• Braking form drill
• Complex control sequences
• Throttle control drill
• Peripheral vision drill
• Rider input drill
• Line selection drill

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Current II MEF Policies

• Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach
  Preparation Course MSF RCP
• Sponsored by Naval Safety Center
• Train candidates for MSF RiderCoach
  certification.
• Two different courses offered
• RiderCoach Trainer Preparation Course - the
  graduates from this course of instruction are
  authorized to train candidates in the RiderCoach
  Preparation Course for MSF RiderCoach
  certification.
• RiderCoach Preparation Course - this course
  qualifies the graduate to
• teach the MSF's Basic Rider Course (BRC) and in
  some cases the Experienced Rider Course Suite
  (ERC).
• Course is 65 hours long and takes 7-10 days to
  complete

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Current II MEF Policies

• Take Charge Video
• MCB/II MEF Produced Motorcycle Safety Video
• Target audience is young and inexperienced
  motorcycle driver
• Has vignettes for commanders to facilitate
  discussions.
• MSF award winning video

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Non-military Venues

• Coastal Plains Raceway
• Offers Motorcycle Racing.
• Called Street Legal Racing
• Allows both cars and motorcycles to run the drag
  strip.
• They have two distances the motorcycles run.
• 1/8 Mile
• Must have an approved helmet and leather coat.
• 1/4 Mile
• Must have an approved helmet and full leathers
• Each motorcycle has a safety inspection before
  they ride.
• No special license is required.

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Urban Legends

• The West Coast Commands owns motorcycles and
  conducts FAM rides for Marines thinking about
  buying a motorcycle
• FALSE
• The Facts
• Due to the backlog of getting Marines through
  MSF Basic course, some installations on the west
  coast own motorcycles.
• These motorcycles are used for the sole purpose
  of conducting MSF training.
• Marine who do not own motorcycles may use the
  bikes to take the course. They are not allowed
  to ride them just to see if they want to buy a
  motorcycle.
• II MEF Situation
• No backlog in getting quotas for training.
• Utilize surrounding Community Colleges and if the
  demand get to high
• Self taught on the Camp Johnson course utilizing
  MSF certified Marines
• Coastal Carolina Community College has 10
  Motorcycle for use by
• Marines that do not own a motorcycle or do not
  want to use the one they own
• Marines that want to test the waters. This is
  not a Fam ride, they complete MSF basic course,
  which allows them to learn/decide in a safe and
  controlled environment .

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Urban Legends

• Alcohol is a contributing factor in a majority
  of mishaps.
• FALSE
• The Facts
• Only 2 of the 34 motorcycle mishaps within II
  MEF were alcohol related.
• Marines return from deployment feeling 10 feet
  tall, bullet proof, with a pocket full of cash
  and immediately go out and buy a motorcycle and
  engage in reckless behavior.
• FALSE
• The Facts
• Only 8 of the 34 mishaps involved Marines that
  had recently returned from deployment.
• 11 of the 34 mishaps involved Marines that had
  not deployed at all.

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Areas Of Concern

• Experience
• Speed/Loss of control primary causal factor in
  65 of mishaps
• Over 50 not trained or have less than 1 yr
  riding experience.
• Only 10 of 26 riders that are required to be Club
  members are confirmed members. Defeats
  mentorship, which is one of the primary purposes
  of clubs.
• Leadership at Battalion/Squadron level and below
• Number of riders not trained
• Number of riders not members of the unit
  Motorcycle club
• Number of riders without a license
• Number of Motorcycles not registered on Base
• Number of fellow Marines and immediate leadership
  knowingly turning a blind eye to violations of
  USMC and II MEF Directives and Policies
• Post deployment Safety emphasis

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Recommendations

• CG II MEF conduct Command Interest Brief with
  Bn/Sqd level Commanders and above.
• Review II MEF Motorcycle Mishap statistics
• Review available tools to help mitigate risk
  associate with riding
• II MEF Motorcycle Club Mentorship Program
• MSF Basic and Advanced course
• Ability to take Basic course using CCCC
  motorcycle to test the waters
• Keith Code
• NSC Rider Coach program
• Leadership concerns
• Lack of adherence to II MEF Motorcycle Club
  Policy Requirements
• Collateral leadership those who know a Marine
  is in violation but do nothing
• Have Appropriate Commanders give MC death briefs
  to facilitate lessons learned with other
  Commanders.
• Require all commands to hold a safety stand-down
  within 2 weeks. Covering the items contained on
  the following slide.

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Recommendations

• Squadron/Battalion level commands and higher
• Conduct Safety Stand-down for entire unit and
  cover the following at a minimum
• USMC Policy on requirements to own and operate a
  Motorcycle
• MCB Camp Lejeune Base Registration requirements
• II MEF Motorcycle Club Policy
• Ability to take MSF Basic course at CCCC before
  owning a motorcycle
• Conduct Unit Motorcycle Club Safety Stand-down
  and cover the following at a minimum
• Update Membership roster with new II MEF detailed
  membership roster. Forward to II MEF. Update
  roster, by the 5th of each month and forward to
  II MEF
• Revise/develop mentorship program to target those
  riders with less than 2 yrs riding experience
• Review Im in Charge Motorcycle Safety Video

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Other Possible Actions

• Develop II MEF Motorcycle Club Membership Cards.
  Require all members to carry card as they do
  Motorcycle License and MSF completion card. This
  will help identify those riders who are not Club
  members
• Conduct 1 time special interest inspection by IG
  targeting compliance with II MEF Motorcycle Club
  Policy and applicable MC/MCBCL Orders and
  Directives that pertain to Motorcycle ownership
  and usage.
• Work with PAO to Advertise the availability of
  Motorcycle riders to utilize Coastal Plains
  Raceway. This allows speed in a controlled
  atmosphere.
• Make MSF Advanced course mandatory for at risk
  age group (below 26)
• More Keith Code
• More NSC Rider Coach Quotas

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Guidance/Decisions