So I was riding on to base today wearing my hairnet helmet and came up to the back gate. I flashed my ID, like always and just only slowly downed. The guard asked me to unclip, well actually "please step down from the bike sir", And followed with the question of "is that a DOD (dept of defense) approved helmet." Feeling a little irritated by just coming off of a 24 hr watch, I replied "Jeez lance corporal, I would think the DOD would have higher priorities then approving a bicycle helmet. You know, like waging a war or catching terrorists". Apparently not happy with my snide but truthful reply (DOD doesn't approve helmets), he has me go to the side of the road and wait for him. 10 minutes later, I'm still waiting for him to get off the radio and come over. He finally does and begins questioning be about my bike and my helmet.
him:"Is your helmet SNELL approved?"
me: "No, its not a motorcycle helmet, so SNELL isn't really involved"
him: "Where are your brakes"
me: : I don't have any, its a fixed gear bike"
him: "Thats against base policy"
me: " No, base policy is a combination of marine corps policy and Hawaii State law. I just have to be able to skid my back tire"
About this time, my commanding officer's wife pulls up to the back gate, looks over and notices me. I'm somewhat friendly with the family because the son is in the boy scout troop I help out. She rolls down the window:
"Hi Dan, everything okay?"
"Yes m'am, he just doesn't seem to like my bike"
He turns around to say something to her, sees the blue officer sticker and a Lt. Col. sticker, and of course, salutes the vehicle. He turns around and tells me to "carry on". I tell My CO's wife I'll see her tomorrow night at the meeting and pedal off. The woman saved me from probably getting written up six ways from sunday, but the moral of the story is....Don't bring a fixed gear to a marine corps base unless you outrank the gate guard. Or have friends that are married to people who out rank the gate guard.