Posted on Mar 26, 2014
What are your thoughts on active members of the military joining veteran motorcycle groups?
19K
55
31
4
4
0
<font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">There are many Veteran motorcycle groups / clubs out there
(Warrior Brotherhood, Combat Veterans Association and many other small ones)
Without taking away from any one organization what does the community thing of
active military participating with these groups. As far as I can tell there is
nothing that says no. I have talked to a couple of my PM friends and they say
the same thing. What are the group’s thoughts?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></i></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">There are many Veteran motorcycle groups / clubs out there
(Warrior Brotherhood, Combat Veterans Association and many other small ones)
Without taking away from any one organization what does the community thing of
active military participating with these groups. As far as I can tell there is
nothing that says no. I have talked to a couple of my PM friends and they say
the same thing. What are the group’s thoughts?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></i></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
Motorcycles
Officers
Enlisted
Guidance
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
7
7
0
MSG Frank, one postive aspect I have seen come from veteran motorcycle groups is that some of them partner rather well with other veteran groups, such as the VFW. As far as active military participation, I can't really see too many problems arising, as long as the groups avoid any and all illegal activities. Although my knowledge is limited, I know many of these groups are proud military supporters and I can't find much fault with an organization that offers veterans and active military members fraternal commraderie based off of a shared interest. If I had a Soldier who wanted to ride on the weekends with the CVA, I would encourage them to have fun in a responsible manner and stay safe.
(7)
(0)
6
6
0
As long as it does not take away from the military or condone anything that goes against our ethos, why not?
(6)
(0)
4
4
0
I do not see any issue with them belonging to one of the many veteran clubs out there; as long as the individual is not doing anything that discredits the Army, then there should not be a problem.
(4)
(0)
2
2
0
MSG Franks,
I do not see anything wrong with active duty join these groups. I myself who is active duty belong to a veteran motorcycle group called Veterans Enforecers Motorcycle Association. The purpose for our group is to give back to our vets, police, fireman, and first responders. We raise money and awerness for charities and problems like PTSD. Thats why alot of active military joining these groups to give back to our brothers and sisters who need help.
I do not see anything wrong with active duty join these groups. I myself who is active duty belong to a veteran motorcycle group called Veterans Enforecers Motorcycle Association. The purpose for our group is to give back to our vets, police, fireman, and first responders. We raise money and awerness for charities and problems like PTSD. Thats why alot of active military joining these groups to give back to our brothers and sisters who need help.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
As long as they aren't doing anything that is illegal and/or immoral, affects your ability to perform your duty, or brings embarrassment to the service, what you do in your personal life is none of my business.
(2)
(0)
CSM (Join to see)
thank you for the response to pose another question to you would you support a soldier in your unit to participate with a VMC / RC for a charity event that would be publicized?
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
How is a motorcycle group any different than any other hobbyist group? Some groups like the Hells Angels are criminal organizations, but that doesn't mean that all motorcycle groups are.
I was a member of my local Harley Owners Group chapter until I sold my V-Rod, and it was just a good group of people, many of them veterans (I was the only current military member), who owned and enjoyed riding motorcycles. It was no different than my camera club, which also included many veterans, and was made up of people who enjoyed taking pictures.
If a group is a criminal organization, whether they are a motorcycle, camera, model airplane or whatever group, that is when military members should not participate, and a commander always has the right to "black list" such organizations.
I was a member of my local Harley Owners Group chapter until I sold my V-Rod, and it was just a good group of people, many of them veterans (I was the only current military member), who owned and enjoyed riding motorcycles. It was no different than my camera club, which also included many veterans, and was made up of people who enjoyed taking pictures.
If a group is a criminal organization, whether they are a motorcycle, camera, model airplane or whatever group, that is when military members should not participate, and a commander always has the right to "black list" such organizations.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I have no issue as long as they are not part of a 1% or a supporter of a 1%, then go for it.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
<div>MSG William has a very good point. As an avid Harley owner and member of a club (Law Enforcement), I think the big question is: How do we monitor what club they belong to. </div><div><br></div><div>In the early to mid 80's I had a Retired E-8 working for me. He was a member of one of the Big 4 outlaw clubs. We didn't know it until he was involved in a criminal situation that brought it to light. We were in positions that required "Q" clearances. The majority of the team consisted of people that had come from what is now considered Tier One Units and had Top Secret SCI clearances.</div><div><br></div><div>The clubs you mentioned are social in nature. How do we monitor the membership?</div>
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Monitor? Is it our job to monitor the motorcycle clubs? This is a slippery slop. I know on Camp Pendleton motorcycle riders are not supposed to wear their colors, to avoid confrontation with others. But to monitor the choices of which group the service member chooses is opening a door to all kinds of off duty monitoring. Awareness, sure but monitor is not something I'm comfortable with.
SPC (Join to see)
SSgt Henry Phillips - When did that policy begin? I rode to Camp Pendleton with an entire pack, big pack, of riders all wearing colors. Gate guards let us all in after checking ID's, where polite, and made no mention of any kind of no colors policy.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
SSgt Henry Phillips - Thank you SSgt. The amount of resources that would need to be brought to bear to "MONITOR" all of the personal choices made by our personnel would be daunting to say the least. I believe that education would prove a better use of resources. Not sure what a Motorcycle Mentor is (love to hear where that came from) but it sounds like a positive step. Let us not forget, our people are still adults. They are still Americans. They should be counted on to make the right decisions when given "complete" information. Regardless if it is a motorcycle organization, chess club or hunting club, all decisions carry benefits and consequences.
0
0
0
Bikers are some of the most accommodating people anywhere. I'm sure that a group of us old timers would welcome a young buck.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google