New Motorcycle Regs for Navy Region Southeast

[squorch2]

Navy Region Southeast encompasses, among others, Corpus, Kingsville, Sherman, Whiting, Mayport, Jax, Key West. The regs apply to all active duty members riding on- and off-base.

Requirements include:

- DOT Helmet (full face, 3/4 face, 1/2 face, brain buckets not authorized)
- Eye protection
- Sturdy leather over-the-ankle footwear
- Long sleeve brightly colored upper garment
- Reflective upper garment during the night
- Full finger gloves
- Long legged trousers

Staring on March 8, riders who don't have the proper PPE on them won't be allowed inside the gate at Whiting. I don't know about other bases but I'm sure they'll be doing something similar. If you don't have the proper PPE, take this week or weekend to go ahead and get some before you get stuck outside the gate Monday morning.

I've got a powerpoint that covers examples of what is and isn't considered acceptable PPE, but can't upload it. If you'd like to see a copy of it, pm me and I'll send it to you.

 

[Schnugg]

Aside from the helmet specifics, this is the way San Diego has been...at least since 1999 when I rode a Harley to work there.

 

[SteveG75]

DELETED for posting bad gouge. Thanks to phrog and Flash for correcting me.

 

[scoolbubba]

I thought this was SOP already? what's new?

 

[squorch2]

Just a reinforcing message from CRNSE, plus some new regs at Whiting. Wanted to make sure that the word got out to people who may not have otherwise heard about it.

 

[OscarMyers]

Dont forget about the mandatory MSF courses, Beginner, experienced or sport depending on what you ride. they also provide beginner rider courses where they supply the motorcycle and PPE. If your in the pax river area PM me for details. Also I know they are doing this at pax not sure about other bases, if they stop you at the gate and you dont have your MSF class completion card they will scrape the stickers off your bike right there.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Also, for all you riders that plan on blowing this off when riding off base, if you get in an accident (even off duty) and not wearing the prescribed PPE, the Navy can determine that you were not in the "line of duty" which means ZERO medical coverage or benefits.

Actually, that is a normal misconception. The Commandant even published a MARADMIN saying pretty much the same thing. In order to be not in the line of duty, it has to be due to your own misconduct, or you have to be UA/deserter/confined as part of a courts martial/confined in conjunction with a civil felony. So, does blowing off that order constitute misconduct? According to the JAGMAN, no.

"Misconduct," as used in this chapter, is a term of art. It is more than just inappropriate behavior. An injury or disease is the result of a member's misconduct if it is either intentionally incurred or is the result of willful neglect which demonstrates a reckless disregard for the foreseeable and likely consequences of the conduct involved (for death cases, however, see sections 0225(c) and 0236). Simple or ordinary negligence, or carelessness, standing alone, does not constitute misconduct. The fact that the conduct violates law, regulation, or order, or is engaged in while intoxicated, does not, of itself, constitute a basis for a misconduct determination.

It takes a lot to determine that someone is not in the line of duty, due to his own misconduct. For example - in the Battalion, I had to do a LOD determination on a kid that got in a motorcycle accident. He didn't have a motorcycle license, wasn't wearing PPE, and used a parked car to stop the motorcycle and then tried to move the car that was next to it with his face. In the line of duty, not due to his own misconduct was the final determination.

Oh, and since I had to explain to the kid the details about what a LOD investigation is for - You aren't necessarily automatically denied medical benefits. The US Government CAN charge for your medical care, and they can also keep you in past your commitment (time on convalescent leave and what not doesn't count if you're not in the line of duty). Neither of which is automatic.

 

[Flash]

Also, for all you riders that plan on blowing this off when riding off base, if you get in an accident (even off duty) and not wearing the prescribed PPE, the Navy can determine that you were not in the "line of duty" which means ZERO medical coverage or benefits.

Bevo can correct me if I am wrong but having talked to a Marine Adjutant who used to handle casualty cases he was emphatic that they never withheld benefits, no matter the rules broken. It would make for the worst kind of press and would be unfair to the families. I think it is pretty stupid to threaten that kind of stuff in the first place, and I don't think it is enforceable.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Bevo can correct me if I am wrong but having talked to a Marine Adjutant who used to handle casualty cases he was emphatic that they never withheld benefits, no matter the rules broken. It would make for the worst kind of press and would be unfair to the families. I think it is pretty stupid to threaten that kind of stuff in the first place, and I don't think it is enforceable.

Prior to 2001, any death of an active duty service member was automatically in the line of duty, not due to his own misconduct. After 2001, you have to do LOD determinations in the cases of death. However, you can do a PI instead of a full investigation. If he is found not in the line of duty in a death case - the GCMCA has to forward this to the beneficiary so they can comment before final determination is made. If it's due to a previous medical condition or enemy action - no investigation is required, he's in the line of duty. I haven't seen any cases where a death was not in the line of duty.

 

[Flash]

Prior to 2001, any death of an active duty service member was automatically in the line of duty, not due to his own misconduct. After 2001, you have to do LOD determinations in the cases of death. However, you can do a PI instead of a full investigation. If he is found not in the line of duty in a death case - the GCMCA has to forward this to the beneficiary so they can comment before final determination is made. If it's due to a previous medical condition or enemy action - no investigation is required, he's in the line of duty. I haven't seen any cases where a death was not in the line of duty.

It was about when the rules changed that I talked to him, thanks for the info and update.

 

[PropAddict]

- DOT Helmet (full face, 3/4 face, 1/2 face, brain buckets not authorized)
- Eye protection
- Sturdy leather over-the-ankle footwear
- Long sleeve brightly colored upper garment
- Reflective upper garment during the night
- Full finger gloves
- Long legged trousers

This is all standard for Hawaii, has been since I got here. The big differences going from Jax to here were the "sturdy, over the ankle boots are required" vice just "encouraged", and the interpretation of "light colored long sleeve top."

Somewhere out there (and I don't know where), there is a direction stating that technically "uniform tops are insufficient to satisfy this requirement" and you need something over your regular bag or uniform jacket. It's mercifully unenforced here, but I've seen other bases where it's an issue.

 

[Brett327]

Once again, Meat is talking out of his ass. All of the above requirements have essentially been standard for a while. Nothing to see here, move along, people.

Brett

 

[OscarMyers]

This is all standard for Hawaii, has been since I got here. The big differences going from Jax to here were the "sturdy, over the ankle boots are required" vice just "encouraged", and the interpretation of "light colored long sleeve top."

Somewhere out there (and I don't know where), there is a direction stating that technically "uniform tops are insufficient to satisfy this requirement" and you need something over your regular bag or uniform jacket. It's mercifully unenforced here, but I've seen other bases where it's an issue.

I was attending a class at NOB and lived in va beach, they turned me away at the gate for just having my utilities on. Nothing a reflective vest couldnt handle, i just had to head home and pick it up. Since then I always carry a reflective vest in my saddle bag.

 

[insanebikerboy]

Also, for all you riders that plan on blowing this off when riding off base, if you get in an accident (even off duty) and not wearing the prescribed PPE, the Navy can determine that you were not in the "line of duty" which means ZERO medical coverage or benefits.

But, the ironic thing is, life insurance still pays.

 

[SteveG75]

Once again, Meat is talking out of his ass. All of the above requirements have essentially been standard for a while. Nothing to see here, move along, people.

Brett

Hey, I made a mistake. Bad gouge deleted.