To Live and Ride in Today's Marine Corps

Fiscal year 2008 was a dark time for the Marine Corps. Twenty-five motorcycle fatalities occurred that year, which is more than the number of combat deaths in Iraq for the same period. Concerned about these recent statistics, the Commandant of the Marine Corps CMC has put an emphasis on motorcycle safety and the continued improvement of the Marine Corps Motorcycle Safety Program. The CMC expressed how leaders and riders must work together to stem the drastic rise in motorcycle fatalities. He has placed a significant responsibility on the commands themselves to ensure that Marines are taking the appropriate actions to prevent injuries and deaths among their motorcycle-riding peers. The Marine Corps Motorcycle Safety Program suggests that commands form motorcycle safety clubs that enhance safety and awareness. To further address this challenge, the Navy and Marine Corps have developed the Military Sport Bike Rider Course MSRC. While introducing new requirements aimed at reducing motorcycle mishaps, the Marine Corps could take it a step further and require annual refresher training for motorcycle riders until they reach age 26, similar to the Drivers Improvement Course requirements for standard vehicles. This would target the at-risk bike rider category and compliment the motorcycle safety program to reduce motorcycle accidents and mishaps. Participation could be as simple as taking the Experienced Rider Course offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, or, if a sport bike rider, retaking the MSRC.