MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The cool, Southern-California breeze blows in your face as you roll on the throttle of your two-wheeled machine. Proper training is key to enjoying your new mode of transportation safely – and is a requirement before driving your motorcycle on base.
Camp Pendleton’s Base Safety Center offers different courses designed to ensure military personnel reduce the risks associated with riding a motorcycle. According to Base Order 5101.7E, riders are required to report their ownership to their commanding officer within 48 hours of purchasing a motorcycle or when checking in to a unit aboard the base.
In addition to reporting their new bike, the order also states that they need to register the motorcycle within five days of purchase, regardless of their intent to ride on base.
Once riders have reported their motorcycle(s), proof of enrollment in the two-day Basic RiderCourse is required to ride on base.
“The BRC is a 15-hour introduction to (riding a motorcycle),” said Joie S. Malinski, traffic safety specialist, Base Safety Center, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and a rider with more than 20 years of experience. “We focus on the fundamentals with students. Most students have either been taught from a friend or by themselves. We ensure that they are learning the proper techniques.”
According to the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, students attending the two-day class can expect to learn about the different types of motorcycles, layout and operation of the basic controls, and how to become a safer, more responsible rider. The new riders head to the riding range after their classroom instruction where they practice straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, turning and eventually working up to swerving and emergency braking.
“The course helped me a lot,” said Cpl. Ricardo Padilla, administrative clerk, Alpha Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton. “I think a lot of riders had an idea of how to operate a motorcycle, but this showed them the ‘right way.’”
For those with a motorcycle learner’s permit, the BRC provides an official DL 389 form from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, waiving the requirement to complete a skills test at the DMV. Once the DMV receives the form, an M1 endorsement, or motorcycle license, is added on to their current license for California. In addition, most insurance companies offer a discount for having completed the course.
The course is open to all active-duty and reserve military and Department of Defense employees. In addition, dependents, contractors and retired military are welcome if there is space available. Those interested can register for a class online, or can arrive early to wait on standby for a possible opening.
For more information regarding motorcycle safety courses, contact the Base Safety Center at 760-725-2897 or refer to Base Order 5101.7E. To register for a class, visit http://www.ca-msp.org.