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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -Rear Adm. Brian C. Prindle, commander of the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Va., speaks with Lt. Col. Brian Kane, deputy director of Training Support Division, Marine Corps Base, while touring the mine resistant ambush protected armored vehicle egress trainer here, April 3. The admiral’s visit, which included a meeting with unit motorcycle safety representatives from Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, was part of a weeklong tour dedicated to emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety within the Navy. , (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jovane M. Henry), 4/2/2012 9:33 PM
By Cpl. Jovane M. Henry, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Rear Adm. Brian C. Prindle, commander of the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Va., met with unit motorcycle safety representatives from Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar at the Pacific Views South Mesa Club here, April 3.
The admiral’s visit, which included a tour of the mine resistant ambush protected armored vehicle egress trainer, was part of a weeklong tour dedicated to emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety within the Navy.
Several Marine Corps and Navy bases, including Camp Lejeune, King’s Bay Submarine Base and Oceana Naval Air Station, were designated as stops on the tour.
The visit also served to raise awareness for the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative, a program established by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and designed to better serve sailors, Marines and their families by focusing on readiness, safety, physical fitness, inclusion and continuum of service.
“When we talk about taking care of Marines and sailors more holistically, concern for their safety is at the top of the list,” said Prindle. “Making sure we’re tracking and contributing to motorcycle safety is essential to mission readiness.”
Throughout the presentation, Prindle reiterated the importance of utilizing the training available to Marine sand sailors to prevent mishaps.
“In more than 50 percent of motorcycle mishaps that occur amongst Marines and sailors, the driver failed to complete the Basic Rider Course,” said Prindle. “Attending the BRC and other safety courses makes them four to five times more likely to not have an accident, which is why it is vital that every Marine with a motorcycle complete the necessary training.”
Several Marines shared their stories of close calls and survival, also drawing attention to the issue of safety.
Gunnery Sgt. David Smith, a Marine currently on temporary additional duty with the Wounded Warrior Battalion- West, shared his experience of suffering extreme injuries at the hands of a drunk driver, and surviving despite the odds.
“The driver hit me going 50 miles per hour, and I was thrown more than 97 feet after impact, but I’m still here,” said Smith. “Driving safely and wearing proper personal protective equipment doesn’t fully exempt you from being involved in an accident, but it is extremely important to be trained to know how to react in certain situations that could cost you your life.”
At the end of the presentation, Prindle awarded several unit motorcycle safety representatives with letters of commendation and coins to thank them for going above and beyond the call of duty when it came to teaching Marines and sailors how to operate safely.
“Being an MSR is a collateral duty, and the job these guys have done is phenomenal,” said Prindle. “They genuinely care about making sure that each and every motorcyclist has the skills, training and experience they need to be safe on the road.”
When the tour ends, the Naval Safety Center will continue to help units be successfully safe by building safe thinking into the culture of the Navy and Marine Corps, said Prindle.
“Our job is to make sure there is a foundation of safe thinking so that it becomes second nature to each and every member of each and every unit,” said Prindle. “If we focus on the basics, we can get the number of motorcycle accidents down to zero.”
The admiral’s visit, which included a tour of the mine resistant ambush protected armored vehicle egress trainer, was part of a weeklong tour dedicated to emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety within the Navy.
Several Marine Corps and Navy bases, including Camp Lejeune, King’s Bay Submarine Base and Oceana Naval Air Station, were designated as stops on the tour.
The visit also served to raise awareness for the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative, a program established by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and designed to better serve sailors, Marines and their families by focusing on readiness, safety, physical fitness, inclusion and continuum of service.
“When we talk about taking care of Marines and sailors more holistically, concern for their safety is at the top of the list,” said Prindle. “Making sure we’re tracking and contributing to motorcycle safety is essential to mission readiness.”
Throughout the presentation, Prindle reiterated the importance of utilizing the training available to Marine sand sailors to prevent mishaps.
“In more than 50 percent of motorcycle mishaps that occur amongst Marines and sailors, the driver failed to complete the Basic Rider Course,” said Prindle. “Attending the BRC and other safety courses makes them four to five times more likely to not have an accident, which is why it is vital that every Marine with a motorcycle complete the necessary training.”
Several Marines shared their stories of close calls and survival, also drawing attention to the issue of safety.
Gunnery Sgt. David Smith, a Marine currently on temporary additional duty with the Wounded Warrior Battalion- West, shared his experience of suffering extreme injuries at the hands of a drunk driver, and surviving despite the odds.
“The driver hit me going 50 miles per hour, and I was thrown more than 97 feet after impact, but I’m still here,” said Smith. “Driving safely and wearing proper personal protective equipment doesn’t fully exempt you from being involved in an accident, but it is extremely important to be trained to know how to react in certain situations that could cost you your life.”
At the end of the presentation, Prindle awarded several unit motorcycle safety representatives with letters of commendation and coins to thank them for going above and beyond the call of duty when it came to teaching Marines and sailors how to operate safely.
“Being an MSR is a collateral duty, and the job these guys have done is phenomenal,” said Prindle. “They genuinely care about making sure that each and every motorcyclist has the skills, training and experience they need to be safe on the road.”
When the tour ends, the Naval Safety Center will continue to help units be successfully safe by building safe thinking into the culture of the Navy and Marine Corps, said Prindle.
“Our job is to make sure there is a foundation of safe thinking so that it becomes second nature to each and every member of each and every unit,” said Prindle. “If we focus on the basics, we can get the number of motorcycle accidents down to zero.”
