Soldier Motorcycle Training

Soldiers schooled on driving motorcycles By: Natasha Smith "Three weeks ago, Sgt. Carl Coleman, 41, of the Mississippi Army National Guard bought his first motorcycle - a red Kawasaki. Tuesday found Coleman taking a class to learn to ride his new toy around Camp Shelby. "I'm learning things that make me a much better driver, a more cautious driver," Coleman said. Coleman was one of eight soldiers participating in a motorcycle training course for Camp Shelby soldiers at the Lamar County Fairgrounds. Sgt. 1st Class Dave Metzler, also with the Mississippi Army National Guard and the course instructor, said the purpose is to lose less soldiers to motorcycle accidents. The course is mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army if soldiers want to ride their private motorcycles at Camp Shelby. Metzler said the agencies made the mandate because of the number of soldiers who died in motorcycle accidents. From Oct. 1, 2004 to Sept. 30, 2005 the U.S. Army lost 45 soldiers in motorcycle-related accidents." Continue Article