JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. -- The instructors of the motorcycle safety courses here have increased the number of weekly courses available in preparation of the fair summer weather and large number of Soldiers returning from deployments.

Department of Defense and Army regulations require all DOD personnel to successfully complete an approved rider or operator safety course that consist of classroom instruction, hands-on training and written evaluations.

As part of the Traffic Safety Training Program, motorcycle instructors at JBLM provide the Basic Rider Course, Motorcycle Refresher Training, Military Sports Bike Rider Course and Experienced Rider Course to all DOD personnel.

"What [BRC] is, is a curriculum of about 15 to 16 hours. Five to six hours are in the classroom and approximately 10 hours out here on the riding range," said Jim Paulsen, lead instructor for the Army Traffic Safety Program.

The course's focus on safety and basics empowers new and seasoned motorcycle riders with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent themselves from becoming a fatal statistic. As of July 6, 20 Soldiers Army-wide have died this year from motorcycle accidents.

"[BRC] really covers the basics," Paulsen said. "The highlights are cornering, braking, swerving...obstacles are one of the exercises that are covered but it is not one of the focuses of the exercise. It focuses more on the control of the motorcycle and what could be a lifesaving skill."

Staff Sgt. Matthew T. Sanders, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, has recently returned from a deployment and bought a motorcycle. He is completing the BRC in order to fulfill his requirements to ride his motorcycle on the installation.

"This is fantastic. It's free. It's thorough instruction. The instructors are informative. It's fun," Sanders said. "I would suggest this to anyone who's even thinking about getting a motorcycle that they should take part in this."

In reaction to a large number of units returning to JBLM in the upcoming months, the Army Traffic Safety Program has increased the number of BRC classes and MRT classes it provides weekly.

"We have a mobile surge team that we call a Surge Reaction Team that's en route now from Fort Stewart down in Georgia literally driving across the country," Paulsen said. "We'll have another range over at the American Lake Club where they'll be stationed for the next couple of months helping out with that surge."

"[MRT] is designed for someone who has been deployed typically for six months or longer, or somebody who rides seasonally is also welcomed to take it," Paulsen said. "That is just what the title says. It is refresher training, so it's for an extended period where you're not on your bike to come out in an area with a low-threat environment"

The courses provided also help prepare new and experienced riders to cope with and handle the unique weather conditions of the Pacific Northwest.

Paulsen said that people can be intimidated by riding in wet weather conditions, but once they actually get out to do it they will realize that it is just water.

"Anybody that's lived here for any length of time knows that the weather is unpredictable at best," Sanders said. "They cover the environment and it's going to make me more of a conscientious rider and prevent me from hurting myself or anyone else."

"I endorse the course. I suggest you get the appropriate motorcycle for you, have somebody who's ridden for awhile take you out and get in the class before you even hit the road," Sanders said.

Personnel who would like to sign up for traffic safety classes can register online at www.airs.lmi.org. 

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