Riders gear up to coach Published June 29, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Danielle Campell Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. -- Servicemembers completed an eight-day Rider Coach training course June 27 at the Dead Runway here. This course is different from other courses because it is designed to teach coaches how to conduct motorcycle safety training in a student-teaching environment. Dobbins hosts rider courses throughout the year. Eight Basic Rider courses and eight Expert Rider courses are made available to military personnel, civil service members, retirees, contract personnel and eligible dependents. In the Rider Coach course, instructors are paired off to facilitate 17 basic to high-skill exercises. This way, two students instruct the remainder of the group on one safety lesson. They are critiqued afterward on their instruction and their style. "They are not called instructors by design," said Ron Durant of the 94th Airlift Wing. They learn to coach and educate and they focus on safety strategies. It's a chance for me to hone in on my skills, said Tech. Sgt. Thomas "Dale" Joyner, 94th Maintenance Squadron. "I can then help others to get a safe start," Sergeant Joyner said. Some of these coaches come from miles away just to volunteer their time, Durant said. This highlights their dedication. I get a chance to share my passion for motorcycles and safety, agreed Capt. Richelle "Rikki" Stewart of the 128th Air Combat Control, Robins Air Force Base. Captain Stewart has been riding for 11 years. Coaches conducted a two-day Basic Rider course at the end of their training to culminate all they learned.
