Back when reflective gear was required I was behind a bike that was wearing a reflective vest but was wearing a back pack over it and was wave through. I roll up and am asked wear my vest was. I told them my jacket is reflective and they said oh. And let me through. He said that the guys backpack didn't cover the front of the vest. Rules were always enforced differently by different people. Most of them are gate guards are their on temporary duty for six months and are just thrown out there knowing some of the instructions all too well so I always kept a copy of the instruction in my jacket copy to whip out. One other time I had to take off my black leather jacket (during the daylight) because it wasn't a bright color. I was wearing a white long sleeve tee under earth and was allowed to go through! A few years ago I had two of my sailors get hit by cars while wearing reflective gear and the drivers said they didn't see them.

I do like all of the free riding courses that we are required to take. That I think is a great requirement!

 

I have the HD version of the hi-vis vest. But, my id card holder blew off the front of the vest (held on by velcro) hitting an on-ramp in Brussels heading into NATO HQ. I guess I should have known better.

I do agree that the single best way to keep safe are the safety courses. I pick up something new (or maybe merely forgotten) each time I take one.

I really wish the Army would dictate from the top down (once and for all, for now...I guess) what the requirements are so it is not such a guessing game from post to post.

 

Our base required "visible/contrasting" color(s) during the day & "reflective" at night...base CC policy for anyone operating 2-wheel motorized vehicle...differs from base/base & cc/cc.

 

McGuire side of JBMDL here.
I'm actually proud to wear the hi-viz reflective vest, people know you're a serviceman, not a run of the mill biker. I can see people with these vests from far away. They just stand out. I've also been told that I am very conspicuous. There can be 2 sides to an accident, you and them. You take care of business by taking the safety courses and wearing the proper gear. I don't know about the other guy so the best I can do is hope they see me. When this unintended impact that we dread happens, we know we're gonna lose. I dunno about you, but I'd like to ride another day (and walk without a limp).

 

We haven't really parted ways. MCO dated 2012 and OPNAV dated 2012 did away with the reflective vest. Navy is also required to take ERC every 3 years.

However (and this is another reason why I love Marines), the MCO specifically states that "Local installation requirement variances shall not exclude Marines and military members assigned to Marine Corps commands from base access, when the rider’s training and PPE complies with this manual."

The OPNAV doesn't have that requirement, so local Navy bases are still free to impose whatever safety measures they want.

And CORRECTION to my OP: 32nd Street does require the vest, unless the rider's jacket has sewn-in reflective material.

I also found out today that Naval Base Coronado requires the vest (sigh).

It sure would be nice to have one policy to follow, especially in the San Diego area where I travel between 3 bases regularly (sometimes all in the same day).

 

Both times I was hit riding my bicycle, I was wearing the fluorescent vest mandated by my base safety officer.

 

Norfolk, Little Creek, Oceana all follow the Opnav, nothing more, nothing less. Its nice not having to worry about that crap anymore.

 

I think what leads to the most "issues" is that no one seems to have a one approach for this instruction. I know it is a hell of an idea but if they could just make one rule & call it a day.

 

Pearl Harbor makes you wear the vest unless you are wearing a white or orange shirt. All Marine Corps bases do not make you wear it to my knowledge.

 

The Marines ditched the vest thing a few years back and the MCO specifically states that bases and commands cannot add any PPE requirements. Was signed by the CMC and he said things would be the same throughout the Corps - keeps the local commands from playing some of the f--k f--k games.