Born to be wild? Get your training done first

  • Published
  • By JBER-Richardson Safety Office
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The snow has melted and the weather is improving in Alaska, so people have begun thinking about participating in many outdoor activities.

One of the most popular is motorcycling. Military members have a few things to keep in mind before they take to the roads.

At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the riding season is scheduled from April 16 to October 15 as long as the road conditions are 'green' during that time.

Military personnel are required to have completed an approved motorcycle safety course in order to operate any motorcycle.

Similarly, operators of a government-owned motorcycle are required to have completed an approved motorcycle safety course in order to operate that motorcycle.

Civilian visitors or contracted laborers who are properly licensed to ride a motorcycle are not be required to receive service-sponsored training, or to prove they have taken other motorcycle training to operate a motorcycle on a Defense Department installation.

Through the JBER Safety Office, motorcycle safety training will be provided at no cost to military personnel of all branches, Defense Department civilian employees, military dependants, and military retirees in that order of priority.

Contractors are not eligible to participate.

Proof of recent completion of approved, motorcycle safety training elsewhere is acceptable and meets this training requirement.

The two-day Basic Rider Course is the initial training (on a furnished motorcycle) and is designed for individuals with no riding experience.

The Basic Rider-2 Course (formerly the Experienced Rider Course) and the new Military Sport-bike Rider Course are one-day each, offered as equivalent follow-on intermediate training.

For the BRC-2 and the MSRC, motorcycles are not furnished.

After the BRC, Soldiers are required to complete intermediate training within 12 months.

Air Force members must complete intermediate training within 120 days (for Air Force Reservists or Air National Guardsmen, this deadline can be extended up to 180 days by the major command).

Once completed, a three-year refresher cycle is required for active riders.
To sign up for the class, visit www.militarysafepmv.com and select Elmendorf- Richardson; then choose a course and date.

Next, complete the Request for Motorcycle Safety Training memo and call the JBER-Richardson Safety Office at 384-2383/2382 to ensure someone is in the office.

Bring the completed memo to the office in Building 600 (Room B368, third floor).

This will allow us to confirm your tentative reservation according to your priority status. Classes will be conducted with as few as six students.

After successful completion of the multiple-choice test and the end-of-course practical skills test, your completion certificate will enable you to have a motorcycle qualification added to your Alaska driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles for a fee.