"Do you own a motorcycle"

BSCAR

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I was filling out my ROTC forms today and on one of them asked me to indicate whether I "own a weapon" and whether I "own a motorcycle".

The former I sort of get, they may be trying to determine who has experience with firearms, but the latter perplexes me. What concern is motorcycle ownership to them?
 

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I was filling out my ROTC forms today and on one of them asked me to indicate whether I "own a weapon" and whether I "own a motorcycle".

The former I sort of get, they may be trying to determine who has experience with firearms, but the latter perplexes me. What concern is motorcycle ownership to them?

Safety. There's a reason midshipmen aren't allowed to operate or own a motorcycle their entire time at the academy, I can only assume it's because the investment your country is putting into you would be shamefully lost to a silly motorcycle accident
 
I was filling out my ROTC forms today and on one of them asked me to indicate whether I "own a weapon" and whether I "own a motorcycle".

The former I sort of get, they may be trying to determine who has experience with firearms, but the latter perplexes me. What concern is motorcycle ownership to them?

Pure stats. All those other males (not you, of course, if you are a trained and careful rider) under 25 who drive up the motorcycle fatality and severe injury accident rate above all other demographic segments is the basis. The SA is trying to minimize risk to its investment.
 
A slightly different spin on your question... Does it bother you to answer questions, such as this one, for which you don't understand the underlying logic? If so, you may want to re-think your fit within a military organization. While the military is not looking for mindless automatons, you'll likely face many questions and situations will you will need to act (and potentially act quickly) without having a fully understanding of the logic/background.
 
A slightly different spin on your question... Does it bother you to answer questions, such as this one, for which you don't understand the underlying logic? If so, you may want to re-think your fit within a military organization. While the military is not looking for mindless automatons, you'll likely face many questions and situations will you will need to act (and potentially act quickly) without having a fully understanding of the logic/background.
No it doesn't bother me. I don't own a motorcycle either. In the greatest of American traditions, dating back to Friedrich von Steuben's training of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, I like to know the whys and wherefores :p

I already turned in the document without knowing the answer. I'm a curious guy and if I can learn something I will. I hate wallowing in ignorance.
 
I agree with the others, it is more about the risk. You are an investment, even in the active duty world there are some CCs that frown upon members owning a motorcycle.
 
If it's for NROTC, there are now motorcycle safety and reporting requirements for midshipman riders.
 
If it's for NROTC, there are now motorcycle safety and reporting requirements for midshipman riders.
Please tell me more. My Midshipman DS just got his Motorcycle learner's permit and he will be taking the driving test tomorrow.
 
I grew up in the Norfolk, VA area. I can't tell you how many times the newspaper reported that a young Navy man had died in a motorcycle accident. I haven't lived in that area for over 30 years, but that has stuck with me all this time.
 
Please tell me more. My Midshipman DS just got his Motorcycle learner's permit and he will be taking the driving test tomorrow.

He most likely will be required to take an approved safety course and will need to let his Cadre know that he has a motorcycle or use of one and have it registered with his unit. The military is getting strict with motorcycles. Once he commissions and reports to his training and subsequent unit, he will need to register a motorcycle and probably have to do more safety training. The rate of injuries due to motorcycles in the military is higher then you might think and are what has led to the stricter regulations.
 
Pure stats. All those other males (not you, of course, if you are a trained and careful rider) under 25 who drive up the motorcycle fatality and severe injury accident rate above all other demographic segments is the basis. The SA is trying to minimize risk to its investment.

My late father, a surgeon, never failed to tell us about every mangled motorcyclist that came through the hospital doors. We knew never to ask about owning or even riding one. He'd sooner give his boys a black mamba as a pet. It didn't help that a self-styled neo nazi kid in the neighborhood had a huge, loud Triumph; the kind with a big bicycle seat. My father would joke that the kid's politics resulted from an untreated head injury. Did we neighborhood kids take rides on that back of that beast? Of course.

Those were pre-rollbar days, when safety equipment consisted of Frye boots, Levis, a leather jacket, and wrap-around shades. WWII vintage German Army helmets were also popular with the safety-minded.
 
Since my state passed a no-helmet-required law a few years ago, we've taken to calling them 'donor-cycles' when a bareheaded rider passes us...
 
Just don't ride a motorcycle. Chances are much greater than you will die from your injuries.
 
Please tell me more. My Midshipman DS just got his Motorcycle learner's permit and he will be taking the driving test tomorrow.

Beginning this year, NSTC is requiring NROTC units to track which midshipmen own motorcycles/ride motorcycles, and also to strongly encourage them to follow Navy motorcycle program PPE rules regardless of where they ride (they HAVE to observe them on base). They can't send mids through Navy rider courses at this time, but we're to strongly encourage that mids enroll in some sort of civilian rider training course. Units may also conduct safety discussions with student riders periodically.
 
They can't send mids through Navy rider courses at this time, but we're to strongly encourage that mids enroll in some sort of civilian rider training course.

There are Navy [motorcycle] rider courses? Come on!

What would Maverick Say? "You mean I HAVE to wear a helmet!"
 
Son is in NROTC at the university of Michigan, he has a Honda Ruckus, which is basically a moped, under 50cc, 35 mph max; he said as of last year all MIDS who ride motorcycles (regardless of size) must follow the active duty rules, which includes boots, pants, long sleeves, gloves, helmet with motorcycle approved shield or goggles (not just sunglasses). Second son who will start NROTC at Auburn next month just bought a KTM sport bike and wearing all that in the Alabama heat will hopefully (for his mama's concern) park the bike more than ride it!
 
Agree. Those courses existed at least 35 years ago. In those days, military requirements for Safety were more stringent than state laws (as were DUI punishment)
 
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