Riding onto a US military base

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:46 pm

Anyone want to shed some knowledge on their experiences riding onto a military installation?

Today, I decided to transit a military base to get to my destination. My dad was in the army so I grew up on these bases, but I don't have military privileges anymore so I just showed a passport card at the gate.

Going there was okay. Coming back, I was almost refused entry because I was not wearing over the ankle boots. I know each branch of the US military has its own motorcycle rules, but apparently the base commander can override certain rules and impose even stricter rules, including the requirement to furnish a MSF card. I don't even know where mine is at this point.

If the rules really are that strict, I might have to rethink entering a base again.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:52 am

mukaiboston wrote: I know each branch of the US military has its own motorcycle rules, but apparently the base commander can override certain rules and impose even stricter rules, including the requirement to furnish a MSF card.

Yes, a base commander can override more general rules about safety requirements, as well as most anything else. A particular base may also have specific rules for access by non-authorized personnel, for that matter. If you find any of that surprising, yes you should rethink transiting military bases.

Neurotic-Hapi-Snak · Post by **Neurotic-Hapi-Snak** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:04 am

Just be happy they didn't make you wear a glow vest (safety vest). Most Marine Corps bases require riders to wear safety vests.

Not surprising on how strict the rules are. Many, many, many service members have died on motorcycles because they lacked the training/experience necessary, many were recently back from a deployment overseas. On 29 Palms, a Marine just back from Iraq purchased a large displacement sport bike, was showing it off to his friends in the barracks parking lot, revved it, dumped the clutch, and proceeded to ride a wheely straight into the wall of the barracks. He was killed. IIRC, when I was in the Marine Corps, you had to have a Motorcycle license, not just a permit, AND MSF basic rider, just to purchase/ride a motorcycle on base for Marines. While in MOS school on 29 Palms, we had a motorcycle safety demonstration about once every 2 months, my school was 9 months long. Oh, and while you are in MOS school, you can't ride a motorcycle.

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:54 am

Beale afb is near by and I see guys like that all the time, camo on a bike, some wearing milspec vest at least, the others I scratch my head about...Me, I "borrowed" a level III safety vest from work to use that (neon yellow with broad reflective tape that's even wider than the II) our road crews use. It screams "YO DUMBASS, I RIDING HERE..." to put on in traffic, don't wear in the countryside though, probably should.....

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:30 pm

Interesting responses. Well, I might just not take my scooter onto the base though but I guess I shouldn't be surprised by these rules.

I remember when I was learning to drive a car, my dad would always tell me to go below the speed limit on post because if you are one mile per hour over the limit, you get pulled over for speeding.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 2:31 pm

Neurotic-Hapi-Snak wrote:Just be happy they didn't make you wear a glow vest (safety vest). Most Marine Corps bases require riders to wear safety vests.

Actually, I met all the other requirements except for the boots. I had on a glow jacket, face visor, gloves and long pants. Maybe that's why they gave me a break.

alleycat2332 · Post by **alleycat2332** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 3:21 pm

Yeah man, they are pretty strict. Just like everyone says, different branch, different rules. Really even different base, different rules. While I was stationed at Ft. Hood just a couple of years ago, the rules were pretty stringent.

On my way back from lunch one day, I misplaced my MSF card. I had all the required PPE but for the life of me couldn't find that damn card. Long story short, a guard (who knew me very well) wouldn't let me back on base. Try explaining that to your first line supervisor. I got a monster ass-chewing and wasn't allowed to ride for a couple of weeks.

It's all dependent on where you are, but that experience really soured me on riding on and off base.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:52 pm

I was not a motorcycle rider when I was in the Marines, but one of my commanding officers was. At that time, they did require reflective vests, over the ankle boots, etc. Our group commander was trying to prohibit his subordinate unit commanders from riding motorcycles on base and my commanding officer almost retired over the issue.
-A lot of young people were getting hurt on motorcycles and the group commander did not want them to ride at all. Seeing your commanding officer ride his Harley to work makes you think its OK to ride.
The thought of an 18 year old riding a liter motorbike through SoCal traffic can can keep you awake when you are responsible for that 18 year old NAFOD.

BeefSupreme · Post by **BeefSupreme** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:45 pm

Some bases don't even require helmets...

alleycat2332 · Post by **alleycat2332** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:24 pm

BeefSupreme wrote:Some bases don't even require helmets...

You...I like you.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:20 pm

BeefSupreme wrote:Some bases don't even require helmets...

I know it doesn't compete with Maverick, but.... FWIW

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:34 am

nobody cool in the movies ever wears helmets...

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:06 am

viney266 wrote:nobody cool in the movies ever wears helmets...

Oh, I don't know. Carly the T-Mobile rider looks pretty cool with her helmet on her Duc'.

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:28 am

She's only "holding" that helmet.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:10 am

KrispyKreme wrote:She's only "holding" that helmet.

Neurotic-Hapi-Snak · Post by **Neurotic-Hapi-Snak** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:00 am

That T-Mobile Carly was cute.

viney266 wrote:nobody cool in the movies ever wears helmets...

Not motorcycle, but your statement wasn't motorcycle specific.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:26 pm

When I was living in Boston, my boss would often ride into New Hampshire where there are no helmet laws.

He said he figures if you crash going over 35mph, you're dead anyway so there's no need for helmets

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:04 pm

mukaiboston wrote:He said he figures if you crash going over 35mph, you're dead anyway so there's no need for helmets

Shows you what your boss knew. I hope you avoided his advice as much as possible.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:21 pm

Growing up in New Hampshire, I was unaware of helmet laws (this was about 20 years ago...) and I rode my mopeds and Vespas without one. Can't recall even seeing a helmeted rider back then. I didn't have awareness of them until I was stopped for no helmet in Massachusetts. I'd ridden clear down to Boston and back and was within a hundred yards of the NH state line when I was stopped. Hefty fine.

Paid my fine, got wise to helmet laws. I again find myself living in a state without helmet laws (for adults), but I wear one on almost every ride I take. Older and wiser, maybe?

Looking back...I still think the Mass cop was just being a jerk.