Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Vance Zimmer heads out with his son Aaron during the “Ranger Resiliency...... read more read more
Approximately 40 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment pulled out of the unit parking lot upon a collection of street motorcycles and sport bikes, and headed down back-country highways during the “Ranger Resiliency Ride,” July 7.
The ride was the first group ride for the battalion since their redeployment from Iraq in May. As part of the battalion’s Motorcycle Mentorship Program it was designed to mix both new and experienced motorcycle riders together, while building camaraderie away from work and outside of the office.
The primary focus of the event was to mentor new riders and build and inspire the confidence to travel safely on their own.
“[The Resiliency Ride] really helps the younger riders gain experience,” said Staff Sgt. Vance Zimmer, one of the Battalion’s senior riders who went on to say the ride helps builds unit cohesion as well.
As the battalion continues their resiliency training and settles back into life after deployment, several Soldiers have shown a newfound interest in motorcycles. Sgt. Whitney Reed from Company B, was one of six soldiers at the event who recently began riding. He purchased a sport bike shortly after returning from Iraq and completed his Basic Riders’ Course within days of his company’s redeployment.
In order to build on his limited experience, Reed was paired up with Staff Sgt. Lucas Horn from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, who has ridden sport bikes for many years, and has participated in battalion rides several times. The two began discussing motorcycles during the deployment.
“Staff Sgt. Horn has been mentoring me on riding for a while now and helped me pick out my bike while we were still deployed,” Reed explained.
During the ride, the two were able to share and actualize their interest on the road, not just around the unit.
The morning began early, as most of the riders were either pulling into the front of the battalion or were already parked, showing off their motorcycles.
“Everybody here loves to ride, and it is fun to see everyone else’s bike,” Horn explained.
The line of cruisers and sports bikes filled the parking lot, and any enthusiast could have spent the entire day viewing the marvel that was the menagerie of machinery.
Before setting out on the road, all riders ensured that their bikes were inspected for serviceability by senior riders. They then sat down for a class focused on the fundamentals of group riding, and hand and arm signals. Command Sgt. Maj. Wylie Hutchison, the battalion command sergeant major, spoke to the group regarding the importance of mentoring new riders and paying attention on the road.
As the group moved to don personal protective equipment, Command Sgt. Maj. “Buddy” Wallace, 1st Infantry Division command sergeant major-rear, stopped by to shake hands with several Rangers and take pictures of some of the motorcycles.
Once the pictures were complete, the group revved their engines and hit the high road, leaving in a cacophony of sound.
The battalion will conduct another ride as part of the ongoing Motorcycle Mentorship Program when Company A, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment redeploys from Iraq later this summer.
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2010 03:44 |
| Story ID: | 52569 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 97 |
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