"Ride smart, ride safe, team up" are words Col. Kenny Crawford takes at absolute face value.

The U.S. Army Operational Test Command's chief of staff has ridden motorcycles since 1999, and he's seen the best and the worst in riding skills and behavior. One of his top priorities is to make sure the test command's soldiers, Army civilians and contractors have all the tools they need to reduce the opportunity for accidents and still have fun.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute I've spent riding my bike," Crawford said. "Motorcycle riding is one of the best leisure activities I know.

"It's hugely popular with our work force, and I think it will continue to gain popularity, which means leaders must go into proactive overdrive to do everything possible to keep our teammates safe."

Crawford is taking his lead from the Army's vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, who recently issued a memorandum supporting motorcycle safety through mentorship programs. In the memo, Chiarelli emphasized training and coaching as ways to help riders maximize their skills, eliminate reckless behavior and gain experience.

Last week, Crawford led a group of riders on the command's second-quarter Motorcycle Mentorship Program ride, the Icy Hearts Ride, which took them about 200 miles from West Fort Hood to Lake Buchanan and back with a lunch stop in Burnet.

"We enjoyed some great scenery and fellowship," said Bruce Raymond, information specialist who is command's appointed motorcycle mentorship coordinator. "Team spirit was high and the weather totally cooperated; it was an exhilarating ride."

Raymond said Crawford wanted to accomplish two major goals: increase confidence in avoiding obstacles and slow maneuvering, as well as building interest in command participation in the III Corps and Fort Hood Motorcycle Mentorship Ride scheduled for March 10.

"The chief's bottom line for this ride was safety," Raymond said. "We had an hour-long motorcycle training class before we took off where we concentrated on figure eights, avoiding obstacles and quick swerves. All of our riders have the basic course, so what we did was refresher training."

The end state of Chiarelli's Motorcycle Mentorship Program, according to the January 2011 memo, is to build an informal Army-wide network of motorcycle associations fostering relationships between riders creating a supportive environment that keeps soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors safe. In 2012, the Army plans to implement a Progressive Motorcycle Program focused on lifelong learning opportunities for riders that will require the Experienced and Military Sportbike Course in addition to the Basic Course, the memo stated.

As an experienced motorcycle rider, Crawford said he feels it is his unwritten duty to mentor novice riders to help them develop their skills and knowledge.

"As an officer, it is my duty to mentor soldiers throughout their careers," he said. "I think those who ride deserve mentoring just as much, and I'm going to do everything I can to encourage their participation in the mentorship program as well as our DACs and contractors.

"I'm going to pay close attention to riders who may be riding outside their capabilities and also those who are not yet ready for advanced challenges."

For those interested in learning more about Chiarelli's vision for motorcycle safety, go to https://safety.army.mil/mmp.