Alive at 25 course scheduled for McConnell

  • Published
  • By Airman Justin Shelton
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A National Safety Council, defensive driving course titled Alive at 25 is under implementation throughout Air Mobility Command, and classes from wing safety are scheduled at McConnell during August.

The Alive at 25 class is geared toward active duty, guard, and reserve members from 17 to 25 years of age and dependents within the 16 to 25 age group. The Air Force Safety Center is providing full funding for the course, making it free to attend for all Air Force personnel and dependents.

It is a four-hour course designed to teach young drivers how to take control of various situations when behind the wheel. The course also encourages drivers to take responsibility for their actions while operating a motor vehicle.

Instructors sometimes teach by sharing their personal experiences and using a little humor in order to relate to a younger audience and to promote a relaxed learning environment.

Students also learn through group discussions, role playing, workbook exercises, and interactive video aids. The teaching aids all revolve around the central lectures on how to improve personal driving ability.

According to a study by the Colorado state patrol, 93 percent of students who took the Alive at 25 course said they would change their driving behavior afterward.

Air Mobility Command Headquarters statistics show AMC had 99 private motor vehicle mishaps in fiscal year 2007. Approximately 55 of those 99 mishaps involved drivers in the 18 to 26 age group.
"The instructors for the course at McConnell will be certified Aug. 12 by instructors from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., as well as William Margaratta, President of the National Safety Council, New Jersey branch," said Mark Erpelding, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Safety Office.

The two-part course is scheduled for Aug. 13 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Instructors will teach two classes simultaneously to allow maximum participation. To sign up for Alive at 25, call the wing safety office 759-3218.