Does the U.S. Army no longer require motorcycles riders to wear a reflection vest when riding a motorcycle?

MSG(P) Michael Warrick — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:14:09 -0400

Does the U.S. Army no longer required motorcycles riders to wear a reflection vest when ridiing a motorcycle? I was on Fort Bragg and not one rider was wearing a reflection vest. I was wondering if it just a Fort Bragg policy.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 28 at 2014 8:27 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:27:00 -0400

I will check with my motorcycle safety NCO and believe its still required here on Ft Benning. I haven't noticed any of them without a safety vest.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2014 8:34 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:34:03 -0400

I'm not sure of Army policy, but Tricare won't pay if you are injured and not wearing PPE.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 28 at 2014 10:47 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:47:32 -0400

When I retired last October, the reflective vests were no longer required during hours of daylight, most riders still wore them out of habit from what I noticed...as for the TRICARE/SGLI myths, that is exactly what they are, myths. This myth is similar to the one if you committed suicide or were driving drunk and killed, SGLI wouldn't pay, which is a falsehood.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made May 28 at 2014 11:55 AM

MAJ Jim Woods — Wed, 28 May 2014 11:55:51 -0400

It would appear that who, what, when, where, and why is different at each instillation. When I was at Benning going through pre-deployment training as a contractor...... all riders wore PPE.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2014 12:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:30:31 -0400

As a current rider, my command states that I must wear all required PPE (helmet, gloves, over ankle boots or shoes, long sleeve and pants)Brightly colored clothing OR reflective clothing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2014 2:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:34:02 -0400

When I was at Ft. Belvoir I was shocked by the number of folks that didn't wear reflective gear. It may only be a night time thing now but best to have a pt belt handy just in case!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 12:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 12:41:18 -0400

It depends on the installation. I know Fort Bragg no longer requires it prior to me leaving there. However, at Fort Lee, it is still a requirement I think.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 3:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 15:06:26 -0400

Reflective gear in the daytime is a post policy.

AR 385-55, Appendix B, paragraph B-3

All soldiers, DA civilians in a duty status, and all persons on a DA installation, must properly wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) listed below while operating or riding a motorcycle,

(5) A brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2014 3:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 May 2014 15:53:58 -0400

I don't think the issue is wearing reflective belt or not. We need to be safe. Bottom line reflective gear helps because too many drivers don't see you being on their cell phones and eating a five course meal at times.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 9:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 21:56:35 -0400

All: I'm a USASOC Motorcycle RiderCoach for both BRC and ERC (BRC II) and I was also the Battalion Safety Manager from 2011-2013. I am still active in Safety through my group Safety Manager: While the Army policy still states that you should wear a reflective vest, it is no longer enforced.

The only enforced standards are helmet, long sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and over the ankle shoes. The reflective vest/belt is not required. Note: Other posts may still choose to enforce the Army Policy, but Fort Bragg no longer does.

As far a a LODD goes, if you are wearing everything but a reflective vest, you will be a LOD "yes", unless you are speeding, driving recklessly, drunk, or high.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 1:01 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 01:01:45 -0400

I know the Corps has gone without it for a while now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 2:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 02:52:10 -0400

AR 385-10, Chapter 11-9 specifically states what is the minimum requirements for ALL Army motorcycle riders. In addition, the use of a reflection vest during the day time will depend on the post commander. For example, while I was on Fort Lee I would use either my bluish PSG vest or a PT belt. Here at Hood, you MUST wear some type of reflective vest. There is a giant poster in Clothing Sales that depicts the various authorized and unauthorized vests to wear. You'd have to check with local policy as to what the riders at Bragg must wear. If it's at night time, they MUST wear some type of vest no matter who they are. If they're not, then they are definitely in violation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 7:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 07:11:41 -0400

It's just a ft Bragg policy! Only in the evening time do we need to wear our pt belts or reflective vest.

Response by SSG Dan McIntosh made Jun 1 at 2014 12:05 PM

SSG Dan McIntosh — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:05:54 -0400

SFC Warrick,

Your reference to AR 385-55 is no longer valid since the publication of AR 385-10. Refer to 385-10 para 11-9 d.

"Commanders will ensure that all individuals covered by this regulation wear the following PPE while operating MCs, off-road vehicles, and ATVs on the installation and all Soldiers at anytime on or off Army installations."

Ar 385-10 para 11-9 d (4)
"Protective clothing.
Protective clothing includes long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full-fingered gloves or mittens made from leather or other abrasion-resistant material. MC jackets and pants constructed of abrasion-resistant materials (such as leather, Kevlar®, or Cordura®) and containing impact-absorbing padding are strongly encouraged. Riders are encouraged to select PPE that incorporates fluorescent colors and retro-reflective material."

Had this argument with an E-5 recently in my station, so looks like its not a requirement, but can be a post requirement if the commander deems so.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 18 at 2015 12:38 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:38:40 -0400

Correct, DOD policy changed a few months back and the Army followed suite.
many commanders still require the vest to be worn however, so the suggestion I make to all my Mil students is to check with the unit Motorcycle Mentor, and ask that the local policy be placed in the required counseling.. so its clear (and written/recorded) for all to understand.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2015 5:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 17:49:08 -0400

They do across all branches of services and all military posts, including the safety course card, all proper gear, long sleeve, gloves, eyepro, helmet, over the ankle boots, endorsement on your license, and you need to submit all that to your CO/S1. So they were clearly going against the standards.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 9:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:51:17 -0400

it is the same at Campbell, I still wear mine just in case they decide to change their mind and not tell anyone.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 9:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:50:54 -0500

the new DODDI 6055.4 no longer states that the reflective material is mandatory, although not all posts have reflected this just yet (motorcycle mentor on FT Drum)

Response by SFC Derrick Hardison made Aug 20 at 2017 11:55 PM

SFC Derrick Hardison — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 23:55:11 -0400

When I left Fort Carson back in 2012, they had did away with the policy for reflective vests, but my Battalion Commander still required us to wear it day or night.