Six motorcycle riders stationed aboard Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) took part in an opportunity to refresh their skills during their command motorcycle safety course at Naval Station Norfolk, April 22.

The refresher course was an additional measure pushed by the boat's commanding officer, Cmdr. Burt Canfield and boat's Traffic Safety Officer (TSO), Information Systems Technician 1st Class Jason Maguglin, native of Kansas City, Missouri, to increase motorcycle safety within their command.

The group gathered for the one-day course aimed to reinforce basic safety knowledge. The session started with a safety brief and continued with a range of exercises that allowed the riders an opportunity to apply their skills under strict supervision in a controlled atmosphere.

According to Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (Nuclear Power) Jacob Sicta, a native of Norfolk, one can never receive too much training.

"No matter how experienced someone might think they are, you need to do the training," said Sicta. "The training might reveal that whatever you thought you were doing right, you may have in fact been doing wrong."

Sicta agreed with Maguglin's philosophy of going back to the basics.

"Trying to get to and from work tends to be the most challenging," said Sicta. "Most of the time people aren't considerate or mindful of where the motorcycles are on the road. We have to take additional safety precautions to respond to those careless drivers."

Statistics released by the Naval Safety Center revealed there have been six motorcycle fatalities in fiscal year 2016.

"We all have likely known someone previously or been stationed with someone that was lost to a motorcycle tragedy," said Senior Chief Electronics Technician Mark Eichenlaub, assistant navigator aboard John Warner. "I instantly think back on the motorcycle accident that took the life of Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Michael P. Jones who was stationed on USS Maryland (SSBN 738). By providing the training, we are better preparing our Sailors who are operating their motorcycles in the high traffic density often experienced in the Hampton Roads area."

According to Eichenlaub, the loss of Jones in September 2013 serves as a reminder to the submarine community to reinforce motorcycle safety.

Maguglin concluded the training with a group 'Ride for Safety.' The ride was geared toward bringing awareness to the dangers and vulnerabilities motorcyclists face on the road. For Sicta, the 'Ride for Safety' provided him an unexpected first-time opportunity.

"It's a very different dynamic than riding by yourself," said Sicta. "The training gave me a chance to ride with a group, learning how to communicate with other riders, and how to look out for each other on the road."

In addition to the mandatory three-year training, John Warner Sailors can expect to participate in a yearly refresher course.

"We conducted all the different exercises to improve their skills so they can be better riders on the road and avoid any risks that are out there" said Maguglin. "Sometimes it's a simple as re-learning the basics."

According to OPNAVINST 5100.12J, all Sailors who ride motorcycles (operators and passengers) must wear proper head protection, eye protection, protective eye devices designed for motorcycle operators, foot protection and protective clothing while riding on and off base.

With May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, Sailors can expect the see an increase of awareness fleetwide.

For more detailed information on motorcycle training, visit the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic web site at: http://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/om/safety/traffic_safety/motorcycle_training.html

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/.