Military Motorcycling

Motorcyclists in the United States military face an interesting mix of advantages and disadvantages based on our choice to motorcycle and voluntarily serve our country.

We are required to obtain training (provided at no cost or leave charged) on motorcycling safety.
This is an advantage no other employer I’m aware of provides.

On the other hand, our pursuit of the freedom motorcycling gives us—and we fight to defend—can sometimes conflict with military regulations.

Military Regulations
[Note: References are current as of 18 Jul 09.]
(All linked regs are in PDF format)

Department of Defense
(All branches of the military fall under DoD guidance)

DoD Traffic Safety Program
(DoDI 6055.04, 20 Apr 09)

Air Force

USAF Traffic Safety Program
(AFI 91-207, 22 May 07)
old version if you'd like to see it...(AFI 91-207, 1 Oct 95)

Army

The Army Safety Program
(AR 385-10, 23 Aug 08;
Rapid Action Revision 7 Nov 08)

Navy

Navy Traffic Safety Program
(OPNAVINST 5100.12H, 7 Mar 08;
Change Transmittal 1, 25 Jun 08)
old version if you'd like to see it...(OPNAVINST 5100.12G, 7 Feb 01)

USMC

Marine Corps Traffic Safety Program
(MCO 5100.19E, 29 Dec 00)

Military references are available (to the public) at:

Dept of Defense - http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/

Air Force - http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/

Army - http://www.usapa.army.mil/

Navy - http://www.navycs.com/navypublicationinstruction.html

USMC - http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/service_publications_marinecorps_pubs.htm

Each of the Services has a safety web site:

Air Force - http://www.afsc.af.mil/

Army - https://safety.army.mil/

Navy - http://safetycenter.navy.mil/

USMC - http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/

Reflective Safety (Dork) Vests

The topic of the 'dork vest' often comes up with other RiderCoaches and motorcycle enthusiasts.  As such, I've decided to consolidate my thoughts on the vest in one page here.

Davis-Monthan AFB (Tucson) Arizona went through period of confusion on safety vests.  Read more here.