SGT. MICHAEL CUMMINGS
Detachment 2, C Company,
1st-168th General Support Aviation Battalion “Rainier Dustoff”
Washington Army National Guard
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
After nearly two decades of riding, my confidence level when operating a motorcycle is quite high. Having experience in varied conditions — from clear and sunny, rainy and overcast, hot and muggy, cold and snowy, and the bliss that is 68 degrees and light clouds — I just love the time spent in the saddle.
I attended the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic and Advanced RiderCourse, and learning new skills is something I’ve always embraced. This attitude toward learning should be promoted throughout our organizations. These courses are conducted in controlled settings and offer the riders open, safe opportunities to develop their skills. We, the riders in our organizations, should encourage any novice rider to attend a training course to prepare them for what lies ahead in their riding journeys. After all, the unexpected can sometimes surprise even the most seasoned riders, including me.
After a deployment to Kosovo, I was facing a long leave period before resuming duties. Of course, I planned a multiweek-long ride. Family time came first, but then it was time to begin my circumnavigation of the United States. In my planning process, I considered the factors — weather, motorcycle maintenance, finances — and compiled my emergency contacts. I even looked into events along my planned route. But there’s one thing I didn’t consider.
Starting early in the morning from my home in Washington, Day 1 included crossing three states. My daily riding timeline was from sunup to sundown so I would not risk riding at night in an unfamiliar location. It was on that first day that I realized I hadn’t planned for my physical limitations. Fatigue tends to sneak up on us when we are distracted by the just-get-there mentality.
By Day 3, I had covered six states and was only focused on my destination. I began each day checking the bike for mechanical readiness, using the T-CLOCS checklist as a guide, and pressed on to my next planned stop. What happened next was a series of moments that brought my overconfidence to a humbling halt. My focus in the saddle dwindled, starting as simple lane-following deviations. Eventually, I found myself missing gear shifts and actually dozing off briefly while riding. The mental light came on when I found myself at a rest stop, at night, searching for a hotel. I realized that I had been overambitious, not considering how long each day would wear on my physical state. I had put myself at critical risk by pushing my personal limits for days on end.
While I had experience and sharpened my riding skills with training, I was overconfident in pushing my physical state to its limits. I put myself at risk for a potential catastrophic incident. The training I received reminded me to keep all aspects of riding in mind and not allow fatigue to affect my safety. Leaders, get to know your organization’s riders and support them in developing all the skills that go with riding. When the unexpected happens, we all fall back to our level of training.
FYI
Army Regulation 385-10 requires Soldiers to successfully complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) Basic RiderCourse (BRC) before operating a motorcycle. Within 12 months of completing the BRC, Soldiers must undergo a second round of training in the Advanced RiderCouse (ARC). Sustainment training in the form of the ARC is mandatory every five years after initial completion.
For individuals who have been deployed for 180 days or longer, there is now an additional requirement to attend the Motorcycle Refresher Training course. This course can be taught at the local level without a certified MSF RiderCoach. These classes are free to Soldiers.