How sad.

It's tough to come down from that combat "high."  Bikes have helped me through some really rough spots.

Say a prayer for the affected families.

Umm, Paladin I don't think that whom ever wrote this article was out to 'dis' motorcycles, nor to justify the war or play down combat deaths.
In fact I don't think the article had a political agenda one way or the other, I just think that the author doesn't know much about motorcycles or the war. He was just trying to write a story about some interesting statistics that he was presented with.
In further consideration of the article since I posted it, I have begun to reflect upon some other aspects of what may be going on here.
Some troubling statistics that I have become aware of, and certain aspects of these statistics might be influencing the dynamics of what is occurring here.
It is a fact that over 50% of the troops returning from the war zones suffer from one type or another of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and they currently receive little or no treatment from the US government to address this dibilatating and devasting psychological disorder.
They arrive home with tons of ready cash to spend.
They long for a continuation of some kind of adrenalin pumping high and cutting edge excitement.
Perhaps they simply purchase too much bike for their limited skill level, drink a couple of cold ones and head out on the highway as the song goes. This happens all the time to non military kids with a few grand to spend and a fun filled summer break on the horizon
.
On a darker note, it is also a statistical fact that a large percentage of untreated military PTSD victims are pron to, and often carry out a suicide attempt....but think about it. If you deliberately carry out an obvious suicide, no benifits are paid to your family....have a fatal accident, and full benifits are forthcoming and promptly paid....just a thought, and albiet a macabre scenario...well who knows.
I myself spent eight years in service during the Vietnam conflict, and to me this latter scenario although sad, (even unthinkable to most) is never the less well within the parameters of possibility.
Whatever the cause and effect of the dynamics in play here, prayers for our brothers and sisters in arms are most deffinatly in order.   Peace, Starlifter.     :'(  

I gotta agree with Paladin on this one.

It sounds compelling to equate death in battle to death during recreation. Lump two unrealted metrics together and a single story and it sounds like we have a relationship. But where are the numbers we are not seeing?

-How many military (lets not say troops as it is miss leading) deaths on motorcycles occurred in the years prior?
-What was the age of those riders?
-How long have they been in the military?
-Many, many other factors.

I entered the Navy in a male only field when I was 18. We were basically a group of guys that lived under our parents rule, got yelled at for a few months for making a bed and trained for a couple of years before we hit the fleet. Regular paychecks, no real bills (room, food, etc), and lack of constant supervision. Couple that with the phrase 'instant financing E-1 and up' and you will see problems.

I applaud this General for trying to save lives (short of giving them the Armour they need in combat). I think safety awareness is not enough. I would impose class and CC restrictions for base decals. Want to buy a 1000cc sport bike? Fine, but you are not bringing it on base. You just bought a EX250? You get better parking at all base facilities. You have to encourage the safest alternative or 19 year olds will be walking in mass to the new bike storage place that opened up .25mi from the base.

This is just a guide and I wouldn't react from the gut. I would grab all available statistics and see what the major factors are.

Non Vets may think this is too harsh. Trust me, service men and women deal with much crazier restrictions on their liberty.

I noted they also stated:
Quote:


Article

8)As a former soldier of the gulf war,and spending much time overseas.One does when home push the envelope of life!Cut me a break bullets could'nt kill me!!
That's what i said to myself and others as all laws were broke on the road of adrenaline!! Thanks to a preacher my father and caring wife i grew up. I do understand the vets way of dealing with a sacrafice only they feel.Not much is done by Uncle Sam to help unwind.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

'there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent the accident'

False.  However, what could be done is unacceptable in a free society.

You cannot protect a Free Society by taking away our freedoms to dress as we wish, ride/drive what we wish, to talk privately with whom we wish, go where we wish, etc..

As for the Marines -- we ask them to put their lives on the line to protect our Freedom.  We cannot complain when they put their lives on the line to enjoy that Freedom.