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[bobroadglide]

The gate guard (Airwoman) at CCAFS told me this morning that I have to wear a RED or ORANGE reflective vest if I want to ride my bike on the base.  I have been riding on the base for the last 8 years, and have not had to wear a vest.  Both of my jackets are reflective silver and black jackets, one Gericke, one Joe Rocket.  I told her the AFI stated a brightly colored contrasting reflective outer garment.  She is standing there in a green vest telling me it has to be red or orange.  Does anyone else ride on military stations and what do they have to wear?

[kb]

Navy Base @ Newport RI. Florescent orange or green and helmet.

[Ultra2010]

McChord/Lewis in Washington State:  Reflective vest, long sleeve shirt (outer garment), full fingered gloves, helmet.  Next thing ya know it'll be one of those glow in the dark rubbers  (guess y'all call them condoms now days).  

Let me add, I do not ride on base BUT I do wear a bright orange reflective vest when I get caught in bad weather.  Keep it in my bike at all times.

[bobroadglide]

You know, I already wear all the required safety attire, not because the Air Force tell me to, but because I want to.  I have chosen motorcycle attire based on contrasting colors, reflective panels, and rider protection.  I have installed headlight and rear stop light modulators. I even keep those offensive reflectors on my bike despite Larry's objections to them (I kinda agree with him, they are ugly).  But I object to the vests.  My jackets have larger reflective panels than those stupid, nonfunctional vests.  I think a vest is as useless as a tie.  Next thing you know I will have to install a rotating beacon on my helmet to make some General think he has made his precious Airmen and Airwomen safe. 

[Fired00d]

I just did a Google search on DOD motorcycle requirements on military bases and it doesn't seem that the request of reflective vest is out of the ordinary sorry to say.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[VaEagle]

The servicemen in our area wear vest like this ICON vest made for military with a clear pocket on the chest for the military ID:
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PAR_2830-0091_G

[marshall10]

The requirements for the army per AR 385-10 states that service members(read all, I'm just quoting the army because that's what I'm in) will wear a DOT approved helmet, long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes that cover the ankle, a face shield or DOT approved eyeglasses, and full finger gloves. As far as the "vest" goes the Reg says that during daytime it must be of "contrasting color" and during the night time it must be "monochromatic reflective". Also ALL military members must complete a MSF approved course before they are allowed to ride. The military offers these classes, and you should be able to sign up in the Post Safety Office. The problem is that we have these mashed up assholes guarding the gate, not even military personnel in most cases, that don't know what the reg states, and they start making their own rules. Here at Fort Gordon motorcyclists are treated like we are criminals. Every time I go through the gate I get the 3rd degree, while they don't even check driver's license for most caged traffic. I would, and I do, carry a copy of your reg with what applies to what you are doing highlighted. Several times I've had to chew out the civilian gate guards because they don't know what they are doing. On the other hand; while I was stationed at Fort Bliss they had D.A. Police guarding the gates and I had no problems what-so-ever. Also I have ridden on several Air Force bases, and Navy Bases in Northwest Florida with no issue, but those we guarded by active duty personnel or D.A. Police. Long story short: the REGULATION clearly states what you must wear. Highlight that information and keep it in a saddle bag, let them argue with the reg...they'll ALWAYS lose.

[marshall10]

Just so you know I'm not shooting from the hip: AR 385-10 PARA 11-9 states (as copied and pasted from regulation):
11–9. Motorcycle safety
  a. Licensing.
   (1) Operators of Government–owned and privately owned motorcycles (both street and off–highway versions) on
56 AR 385–10 • 23 August 2007
Army installations must be appropriately licensed to operate on public highways except where not required by the
applicable SOFA or local laws.
   (2) A valid OF Form 346 or DA Form 5984E (Operator’s Permit Record) fulfills the licensing requirement for
operators of tactical motorcycles.
   (3) Where state or local laws applicable to the installation require special licenses to operate privately owned
motorcycles, motorized bicycles (mopeds), motor scooters, or all–terrain vehicles (ATVs), such license requirements, at
a minimum, shall be required for operation of those vehicles on Army installations.
   (4) Minibikes, pocket bikes, and similar vehicles do not meet Federal highway safety standards and therefore will
not be operated on installation roads. These vehicles may be operated in designated areas (off–installation roads) as
designated by the installation commander.
   (5) Motorcycle riders who operate motorcycles on or off post must comply with the skills training, licensing, and
permit requirements of their state, HN, or SOFA.
 b. Motorcycle training.
   (1) Prior to operation of any motorcycle, Army personnel will successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation
(MSF) or MSF–based approved motorcycle rider safety course. Commanders are not authorized to waive or defer
the training.
   (2) Anyone who operates a motorcycle on an Army installation, to include Government–owned motorcycles, shall
successfully complete a MSF–based rider safety course, or present documentation of previous attendance.
   (3) The Army standard motorcycle rider’s course is an MSF–based Basic Rider Course (BRC). Commanders may
offer the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) in addition to the BRC, but not in lieu of the BRC. The ERC is designed to
provide additional highway safety skills for experienced motorcycle riders. It is highly encouraged that both courses be
offered to ensure adequate training for both new and experienced riders. The ERC builds upon and provides additional
skills taught in BRC or gained through previous experience. Anyone who has documentation of prior completion of the
ERC will be in compliance with the Army standard for motorcycle training and will not be required to attend the BRC.
   (4) Operators will not be required to repeat BRC training when relocating to a new assignment. This does not
restrict commanders from requiring additional motorcycle safety training specific to that location.
   (5) Licensed motorcycle operators who have not yet completed the requirements of paragraph 11–9b(1), may
operate their motorcycle to travel to the rider course training site. When the training is offered on an Army installation,
the licensed operator may enter the installation for the sole purpose of attending the course. The rider will have
documentation in their possession to show the date of the course.

[marshall10]

continued from above:

   (6) Personnel who operate privately owned ATVs or motorcycles off–road should complete appropriate operator
safety training.
  c. Motorcycle vehicle equipment.
   (1) When operated on any DOD installation, in both on– and off–road modes, all Government–owned or privately
owned motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and ATVs (when equipped) must have headlights turned on at all times,
except where prohibited by military mission, the SOFAs, or local laws.
   (2) Motorcycles shall be equipped with both a left–hand and right–hand rear view mirror mounted on the handlebar
or fairing. (Note that Government–owned off–road motorcycles on tactical missions or training are exempt from this
requirement.)
  d. Motorcycle personal protective equipment. The following PPE is mandatory for the following personnel while
operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, moped, or ATV: all Army military personnel at any time, on or off
a DOD installation; all Army civilian personnel in a duty status, on or off a DOD installation; all personnel in or on a
DOD–owned motorcycle; and all persons at any time on an Army installation.
   (1) Helmets, certified to meet DOT standards, must be properly fastened under the chin. Outside CONUS riders may
wear HN helmets if the helmet meets or exceeds U.S. DOT standards.
   (2) Impact or shatter resistant goggles, wraparound glasses, or fullface shield properly attached to the helmet must
meet or exceed ANSI Safety Code Z87.1, for impact and shatter resistance. A windshield alone is not proper eye
protection.
   (3) Sturdy footwear, leather boots or over the ankle shoes must be worn.
   (4) A long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a
motorcycle must be worn.
   (5) For on–road operations, a brightly colored, outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment
during the night. Military uniforms do not meet this criterion. The outer garment shall be clearly visible and not
covered. Items may be worn on top of the outer garment, but they must meet the same visibility requirements of the
outer upper garment.
   (6) During off-road operations, operators and riders must use additional PPE, such as knee and shin guards and
padded full fingered gloves.
   (7) Installation commanders will ensure motorcycle operators, when entering the installation, are properly licensed,

have successfully completed a motorcycle rider course, and are wearing the required personal motorcycle safety
equipment.
  e. Tactical motorcycle and all–terrain vehicle operations.
   (1) For tactical motorcycle operations, the wearing of PPE will be based on the commander’s composite risk
assessment of mission requirements.
   (2) Prior to tactical motorcycle and ATV operations, operators will be trained on the tactical operations and on the
controls that have been implemented to mitigate hazards. Curriculum and proficiency training for tactical motorcycles
and Government furnished (tactical and non–tactical) ATVs will be tailored to satisfy specific mission objectives. In
addition to the above training, governmental motorcycle operators will have completed the training required in
paragraph 11–9b(2). Government ATV operators will complete the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America based
course.

[bobroadglide]

Thanks for the responses, I thought it particularly interesting that the Army had to tell it's members that uniforms do not meet the criteria.  Hummm, camouflage does not show motorists the motorcyclist?  I once told the Marines at a Navy Base that their camo and branches did not hide their armoured vehicle while on a wharf, suggested asphalt camo scheme.  And thanks dOOd for showing me what military folks wear, I see some with earrings too.  Below is an excerpt from the AFI that is provided to motorcyclists as requirements for motorcycle useage on-base.

SECURITY FLASH - CAPE MOTORCYCLE PPE
1.  Military Members:  Will be required to park their motorcycles on the spot until they can acquire the appropriate PPE.  They will also receive a traffic citation and points will be assessed against their on base driving record and the incident reported to their First Sergeant for additional action.
 
2.  All Other Riders:  If entering the installation, they will be refused entry!  If stopped while operating on the installation, they will receive a traffic citation and be escorted off the installation.
 
3.  The following are the mandatory PPE requirements:  NOTE:  The current AFI 91-207 states that contrasting colors may be worn for the outer upper garment referenced in item e below.  However, an interim change has deleted the use of contrasting colors.  The garment must meets the requirements below.
 
    a.  Helmets. Certified to meet Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards properly fastened under the chin. If stationed outside CONUS and
the host nation does not have an equivalent helmet standard, the helmet will meet the
U.S. Department of Transportation standard.
     
    b.  Goggles and Face Shields. Impact or shatter resistant
goggles or full-face shield properly attached to helmet. A windshield or eye glasses
alone are not proper eye protection.
   
    c.  Sturdy Footwear is mandatory. Leather boots or over the
ankle shoes are strongly encouraged.
 
    d.  Clothing. Long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and
full-fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle.
 
    e.  Garment Visibility. A brightly colored outer upper garment
during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night. Outer upper garment
shall be clearly visible and not covered.

I have forensically searched this document and do not find the word red or orange or vest.

 

[Gunny4Sawx]

We (USMC) have done away with the reflective vest requirement in favor of a (strong recommendation) that a  MC specific riding jacket be worn since most manufacturers incorporate safer design and reflectivity requirements. My legal challenge to the vest requirement is that if the USAF is requiring you to wear it, they must provide it, (undue financial burden) just like the training is provided at no cost. ie if car drivers aren't required to purchase and wear it why are only riders? A car may break down or get a flat tire so the driver would need to be seen. I also point out when talk of restricting military riding that corvettes and convertibles should be banned, they are more dangerous than a Kia (maybe we should be provided gov't approved safe transportation) LOL the talk of restrictions usually stops at that point.