Is a reflective vest no longer required at Ft. Hood? I'm seeing soldiers riding in just ACUs & helmets.

SSG Paul Ellis — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:26:09 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 12:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:29:25 -0400

Yes it is strongly suggested but it is no longer required to ride your bike it changed earlier this year

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 12:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:29:39 -0400

army policy and iii corp policy removed it

Response by SGT Kevin Turman made Jul 6 at 2015 12:29 AM

SGT Kevin Turman — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:29:40 -0400

To my knowledge it hasn't changed. It's required on and off post.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 6 at 2015 12:41 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:41:17 -0400

This has changed DoD wide as well. I work at Davis Monthan AFB as a contractor and the Air Force also does not require the safety vests anymore.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jul 6 at 2015 12:49 AM

SPC George Rudenko — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:49:10 -0400

I'd always wear one anyway. If you get hit, you get hit. But with the vest on your attorney can get you and your family more money.

Response by CW5 Michael Scheller made Jul 6 at 2015 12:55 AM

CW5 Michael Scheller — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:55:49 -0400

New policy: http://www.hood.army.mil/safety/PDF/Safety-01Apr112013.pdf

Response by TSgt David L. made Jul 6 at 2015 1:46 AM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 01:46:27 -0400

DOD dropped the requirement so the individual services have done so as well. It is up to individual installation commander to retain or drop the requirement. Most have chosen to drop it. A few will knee jerk and require it the first time a bike goes down...

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 5:31 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 05:31:47 -0400

The DoD policy has never mandated reflective wear during daytime hours as long as the rider wears high contrast clothing. A camouflage uniform by its very nature is not high contrast and as such a reflective vest is required while in uniform. Now then, like any other regs, the individual services can make this more restrictive as can post commanders but they cannot make it less so. Regardless of what a post commander says, if the DoD policy on reflective gear says its mandatory in uniform then it is. Whether the local post will enforce it is another matter entirely. I do not know what the current policy is but as of 2013 it was still required while in uniform or at night in any attire and I can't find anything that contradicts that. NOW some myths to dispel. 1. If you are a reservist you must wear PPE while on post HOWEVER unless you are on orders or at drill (after first formation on Saturday and final formation on Sunday night for example) you are not required to wear anything other than what your local jurisdiction requires out and about. If you read the regs it says all "military personnel" but when you look in the glossary of the same reg "military personnel" only includes active duty, gov civilians, drilling reservists/NG, and those on orders. NOT when off duty the other 28 days of the month.
2. No matter what you wear or don't wear, if you get in an accident you are still covered by Tri care. You will get your disability and you or your family with get your SGLI. I don't care what your 1SG or SGM say, I have that direct from Tri care and benefits. You could be driving around crazy and you will get your money.

If anyone has an updated version of the DoD safety policy and regulation please let me know the date. I like keeping up with the regs for just these situations as I have several troopers you ride, including myself. Safe riding, rubber side down!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 7:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 07:02:35 -0400

Stewart still enforces vest. Honestly though, I've almost been run off the road with vest on. Its all about the drivers attention span. The vest helps, but realistically, you have headlights and the ability to stay in the rear views of drivers; again, attention spans.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 6 at 2015 8:10 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 08:10:07 -0400

Has not been required by DOD for some time now, III Corps followed suite a little later, and then all subordinate commands to include finally 1CD did as well. Any commander below DOD can still require it ...so company grade to COPRS or installation.. always check your local policies.

Response by SSG John Gillespie made Jul 19 at 2015 6:30 PM

SSG John Gillespie — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 18:30:21 -0400

That's right. Since last year, III Corps policy is finally in line with DA policy on this issue. This goes for ALL riders on Fort Hood, not just the soldiers.