Sailors Attend US Battleship Premiere

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Trevor Welsh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

LOS ANGELES (NNS) -- Universal Pictures hosted nearly 50 Sailors for the U.S. premiere of the movie "Battleship" at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles May 10.

Sailors were given the "blue" carpet treatment alongside cast members of the movie and attended the special screening of the film prior to its release in more than 3,000 theaters nation-wide May 18.

"I'm happy that they finally made a film that highlights who we are and is an accurate depiction of what we do," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Tim Gutherperson, stationed aboard USS Benfold (DDG 65).

Cast members Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna and Brooklyn Decker, Tadanobu Asano, Col. Gregory D. Gadson, Hamish Linklater, Rico McClinton and Liam Neeson; director Peter Berg; writers Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber; and producers Brian Goldner, Scott Stuber, Sarah Aubrey, Duncan Henderson and Bennett Schneir were all in attendance signing autographs and interacting with Sailors prior to the screening.

Taylor Kitsch, who played the lead male character "Lt. Alex Hopper" in the movie said what really stands out for him is the sacrifices made by Sailors and their families.

"This film is really a tip of the hat to you guys; the true heros," said Kitsch.

Following Department of Defense approval in 2010, the film's production began, and principal photography took place during the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Rim of the Pacific training exercise later that year. Additional filming also took place in Hawaii, San Diego, and on a film set in Baton Rouge, La., constructed by Universal Studios. The movie's cast and crew spent time at-sea and witnessed life underway on U.S. Navy warships and lived side-by-side with Sailors.

"They taught us more than we ever knew about the Navy, which was pretty special," said Brooklyn Decker, who played the lead female character "Sam" in the movie. "We actors only play heros, so the fact that they were there helping us along was incredible, and it also gave something real to the movie. It's a big, fun, summer, alien action movie, so to have something real felt very special to us."

"It was one of the most amazing things watching that crew in action, throwing down, with what they do every day," said Jon Hoeber. "They granted us total access, and it was unbelievable. They were excited to have us there and we were dieing to be there. To be able to tell their stories and watch the United States of America 'Blue Water Navy' and all they do-stunning! People in this country do not know enough about that."

"Battleship" was made with the support of the Department of Defense and the Navy. According to Rear Adm. Denny Moynihan, U.S. Navy's Chief of Information, the Navy had to evaluate the idea of the movie and ask some critical questions before deciding to support the film.

"First, does the script accurately portray the Navy," said Moynihan. "Second, does it positively represent our service and our Sailors? Third, can we support the film without impacting our operations? And finally, do we believe that it could have a positive impact on recruiting? In the case of 'Battleship,' we felt the answer was 'Yes' to each of those questions."

Because filming took place during already scheduled training events, it did not impair operations and there was no cost to the Navy or American taxpayers.

"The end result is a film that provides movie-goers with a realistic look of the Navy and Sailors operating at sea - scenes that I think reflect well on the Navy," said Moynihan.

"The reason we do things like this, is because we would love to take everybody out to sea on an aircraft carrier, destroyer, or submarine to see what we do, but we can't." said Moynihan. "But we know that people go to movies, so this is one way we help the American people get get a better understanding of what their Navy does 24 hours a day 7 days a week."

Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), in coordination with Universal Studios, will be offering special screenings of Battleship to Sailors and their families prior to the nationwide release of the movie May 18.

The film's director, Peter Berg, will be present to kick off the free screenings at Naval Base Coronado and Naval Base San Diego Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island May 11. Special screenings will also take place this weekend at Camp Lejeune, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Submarine Base New London and Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story May 12.

Berg, director of Battleship, will also attend the Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story screening. Future screenings will take place in Washington, D.C. May 14, at Naval Air Station Jacksonville May 15 and onboard USS Missouri May 16.

Hollywood Visits Navy Ships

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jose Lopez, Jr., Navy Public
Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Actors, writers and producers from the television and motion picture industries visited a guided-missile destroyer and attack submarine Feb. 11 as part of the Hollywood to the Navy program to interact with Sailors and learn how the Navy operates.

"We bring them to ships and submarines and show them the hard work Sailors perform with the hopes that they will communicate that to the American people through their craft," said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Bernardi, officer-in-charge, Navy Reserve NAVINFO West. "Even in a Hollywood film, we want the American people to see that their Navy is forward deployed, ready to serve."

Hollywood has had a long relationship with the Armed Forces. At the beginning of World War II, the film industry produced classic films like "Sergeant York" and "A Yank in the R.A.F." as morale boosters to assist the war effort. The Navy has been involved with several projects over the years, with television shows such as "JAG" and "NCIS," as well as films like the upcoming release "Battleship."

An important goal of the Hollywood to the Navy program is to ensure an accurate portrayal of life in the sea service by having production crews and actors visit active-duty ships and interact with Sailors to bring their roles to life on the big screen.

"If you see a ship or an aircraft in a film or television show, there is a very good chance that it was coordinated through our office," Bernardi said. "At the office, they'll read over their scripts and make sure they have the culture right. It is often simple stuff like which uniforms we wear in what situations and how ribbons are worn."

During their recent visit, Hollywood professionals toured the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111). They visited working and berthing spaces, including seeing how Sailors "hot rack" in the torpedo room of a submarine.

"I've always wanted to visit a submarine, this was an amazing opportunity," said Kris Selvidge, television production coordinator for the show "Melissa & Joey."

"I'm learning a lot about the Navy," said Selvidge. "We all knew that submarines were small. I just never realized how tight it was. Then I heard that there are 150 people who live here."

The group also had the opportunity to visit USS Spruance's cramped main engineering spaces, and the bridge, where most decisions are made aboard ship. Several visitors had questions, such as "Does the captain drive the ship?" And "How old is the ship?"

"It's not as glamorous as it comes across in television or film," said David Valliere, script coordinator for "Melissa & Joey." "It's much more real."

First Lady Urges Hollywood to Tell Military Family Stories

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2011 – WASHINGTON, June 14, 2011 – The entertainment industry can help to shine the light on military families by incorporating their compelling stories into movies and television, First Lady Michelle Obama said yesterday during a panel discussion hosted by the entertainment guilds in Los Angeles.

Speaking to an audience of about 500 producers, writers, actors and directors, the first lady discussed her “Joining Forces” military-support campaign and how Hollywood can play a role in her quest to stir up national support for military families.

Writer-director J.J. Abrams, who moderated the panel, kicked off the discussion by asking Obama what sparked her passion for military family support.

The first lady traced it back to her time on the campaign trail with her husband. As she met in small groups with working women, she heard voices she hadn’t heard from before – military spouses. These women -- and men -- talked about juggling careers and deployments, raising kids and managing moves, and dealing with finances alongside post-deployment reconnections.

“These stories took my breath away,” she said, “because they were so unfamiliar to me. And I thought, ‘Well, if I don't know, and I’m educated and I consider myself aware, then where are we in this country? Why don't we know about these families? Why don't we know their struggles? Why aren’t we pushing for them?”

Obama said she vowed, if her husband got elected, to use her platform to give military families a voice, “because truly, these families are amazing.”

Military families also are strong, she noted, but because of this strength that’s so integral to military life, they often don’t complain or reach out for support.

“That’s one of the reasons we don’t know about them,” she said. “They count on each other, and they don't ask for help. Well, they shouldn’t have to ask for help.”

In a year’s time, the first lady said, she’d like see a nation where military families know their sacrifices are understood and appreciated, and that everyone, including the entertainment industry, can step up and help.

“It can be telling a story on the big screen, on the small screen, or it can be helping a neighbor mow their lawn,” she said. People can volunteer to babysit for an afternoon, cook a meal, offer to fix a heater, or reach out to a reserve family living away from the support of a military installation, she added.

“Small gestures can make a big difference,” the first lady said.

The entertainment industry can bring awareness to these families by showcasing their strength and sacrifice, Obama said.

“You have the vehicle to tell stories that just pull people in,” the first lady told the audience. “I … urge you to do what you do best. Be creative. Be funny. Be powerful. Move us, [and] move America to think differently about these issues and about these families, and about our men and women who serve so graciously.”

The task shouldn’t be too difficult for Hollywood storytellers, she noted, “because the stories are already compelling. The individuals are already pretty powerful.”

Obama thanked the industry for the work they’ve done already to spotlight military families. As an example, she talked about her next stop -- an upcoming appearance on “iCarly,” a Nickelodeon TV series about a teenager who hosts a popular Internet show. On the show, Carly’s dad is deployed. The first lady admitted some nerves about her TV appearance, but said she’ll push them aside to have the opportunity to spotlight military families on the small screen.

“This is an example of the way that we can integrate these story lines into shows,” she said, “and it’s important for kids to hear themselves in the shows that they love.”

Military families will need the nation’s support for the long haul, Obama noted, as the “real work happens when these men and women come home and they’re dealing with the ramifications of war.

“This is a forever battle,” she added. “We have men and women who are serving our country every day, and they’ll be dealing with the consequences of that dedicated service for the rest of their lives, and we have to be there for them and their children.”

To resounding applause, Obama said she and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will continue shining a light on military families “so that America understands that when our country goes to war, we have families who are serving right along with them.”

Family Matters Blog: Show Seeks Military Families for Home Makeover

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2011 – I’m excited to share new information about an amazing opportunity for deserving military families.

The producers of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” are seeking people involved in the military whose home deserves an extreme makeover.

The producers and celebrity hosts are looking for people with “amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others,” a press release said. “Whether it’s a soldier, a mom, a teacher or a fireman, we think deserving families are families who inspire those around them.”

Additionally, the show’s producers are seeking families whose houses need major alterations or repair – “homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family’s quality of life.”

To be eligible, families must own their single family home and be able to demonstrate how a makeover will make a difference in their lives.

Interested military families or people who wish to nominate a military family should e-mail a short description of the family’s story to emheusa@gmail.com. The e-mail should include the names and ages of household members, a description of the family’s challenges, an explanation of why the family is deserving of a makeover or is a positive role model in the community, photos of the family and their home, and contact numbers.

The deadline for nominations is May 30, but people should send submissions early, the release said. Only up to 25 families are selected each season.

For more information on the application process, visit

http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply.

Please pass this information on to deserving military families. I hope to see a few on “Home Edition” next season.

For more on Family Matters, visit the blog or check out Family Matters on Facebook or Twitter.

Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DOD website.

MILITARY CONTRACTS September 9, 2008

Army

Harris Corp., Government Communications Systems, Div, Melbourne, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 28, 2008, a $7,494,831 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for applied IT solutions to support unclassified web portal and related efforts. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla., Chantilly, Va., Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Mo., Los Cruzes, N.M., and Bethesda, Md., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency/ACI is the contracting activity (HM1571-08-D-0007).

DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).

Don Jon Marine Co., Inc., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,128,260 firm fixed price contract for maintenance dredging in Newark Bay, N.J. Work will be performed in Newark Bay, N.J., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2008. Twenty-three bids were solicited and three bids were received. Corps of Engineers, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-08-C-0024).

Golden Rule Construction Company Inc, Sioux Falls, S.D., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $7,464,073 firm fixed price contract for construction services for project number LUXC 001390 to replace the base civil engineer maintenance complex at 114th Fighter Wing, Sioux Falls, S.D. Work will be performed in Sioux Falls, S.D., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2009. Bids solicited via the Web and six bids were received. National Guard Bureau S.D., is the contracting activity (W912MM-08-C-0003).

Advanced Semiconductors, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $8,714,475 firm fixed price contract. This acquisition is a sole source country directed action for cables, boxes and auxiliary equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Monmouth, N.J., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 9, 2010. Bids solicited one Sole Source and one bid was received. CECOM Acquisition Center Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D281).

General Dynamics Network Systems, Needham, Mass., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $6,000,000 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for continuing efforts to survey, plan, design, install, and implement the Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure (ITS&I) for wedges-2-5 tenants as part of an ongoing modernization of the Pentagon IT infrastructure. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. Pentagon Renovation & Construction Program Office, Arlington Va., is the contracting activity (MDA947-98-C-2002).

FLIR Systems, Inc, Wilsonville, Ore., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $96,625,080 firm/fixed price contract for Starfire III sensors and, related cables and hardware, for the Rapid Aerostat initial deployment sensor components. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Jul. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W9113M-07-D-0004).

The Ginn Group Inc, Peachtree City, Ga., was awarded on Sept. 8, 2008, a $13,359,452 cost/plus/award/fee contract for facilities maintenance services at Fort Knox, Ky., during the period Dec 1, 2006, through Sept. 30, 2007 with four one-year option periods through Sept. 30, 20011. Subject to the availability work will be performed in Fort Knox, Ky., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via Website Single Face to Industry Army and thirteen bids were received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command Center, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity (W9124D-06-C-0040).

NAVY

PAE Government Services, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,000,000 modification under a previously awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract (N33191-07-D-1503) to exercise option one for a job order contract at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. The work to be performed provides for all managerial, supervision, labor, engineering services, tools, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to accomplish a broad range of design/build, repair, renovation and minor construction work on real property. After exercise of this option, the total cumulative contract value will not exceed $20,000,000. Work will be performed in Djibouti, Africa, and expected to be completed by Sept. 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Europe and Southwest Asia, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.

Reid Middleton, Inc., Everett Wash., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract for civil/structural projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for new designs, evaluations, studies for maintenance, construction, equipment installation, repair and replacement of a wide range of facilities and structures, with an emphasis on aircraft runways and facilities, air traffic control towers, aircraft runway projects including combat loading area, direct refueling facilities, runway lighting, and structural designs for new and existing facilities. Work will be performed at various NAVY and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Northwest AOR including, but not limited to Washington, (87 percent), Oregon, (2 percent), Idaho, (2 percent), Alaska, (2 percent), Montana, (1 percent), Colorado, (1 percent), Nevada, (1 percent), Wyoming, (1 percent), North Dakota (1 percent), South Dakota, (1 percent), and Utah, (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity (N44255-08-D-3012).

PC QUINN LLC* (mentor-protege agreement between PC Mechanical Inc., the protege and Quinn Co., the mentor), Santa Maria, Calif., is being awarded a $7,000,000 firm fixed price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the repair/overhaul and preventative maintenance and service of automotive vehicles, motorized and non-motorized construction equipment, material/weight handling equipment and International Standard Organization shipping containers for the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center Mobile. After award of this modification the total cumulative contract amount will be $30,870,692. Work will be performed in Santa Maria, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., and is expected to be completed by Mar. 2009. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity (N47408-04-D-8516).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC, Fairfield, Ohio is being awarded a maximum $9,849,246 fixed price with economic price adjustment, indefinite quantity, sole-source, un-definitized bilateral contract modification for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Replacement (MRAP) spare parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Marine Corps. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is Feb. 10, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio (SPM750-05-D-7426).

America Supports You: Military Couples to Wed with Hollywood's Help

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

July 22, 2008 - After matching servicemembers re-entering the civilian work force with military friendly employers, "Hire a Hero" is stepping outside its box and trying some matchmaking of a different kind. The troop-support organization has teamed with Dreamworks Television and Mark Burnett Productions to help two deserving military couples have their dream weddings. The gesture is a thank you for their service and commitment to the country, according to the Hire a Hero Web site.

"Providing something like this is just great," said Rob Barr, a Hire a Hero representative. "It's showing support for the troops, and it's kind of giving them hope that there are really people out there that care."

The next step to helping two couples live happily ever after begins at the Hire a Hero Web site. military couples who plan on marrying later this year can fill out the entry and share the challenges they've faced while trying to plan a wedding with at least one spouse serving their country.

Just the distance during a deployment, for example, can make things nearly impossible, Barr said. Then the occasional tour extension crops up and completely undoes what the couple may have managed to get done.

"Little things like that," he said. "But they're also looking for military spouses that just said, 'OK. You know what? We're going to go to the courthouse, get married and have a wedding later.'"

Once the midnight July 28 entry deadline passes, it's all up to the Hollywood folks to choose the two lucky couples for the big "Wedding Day" program that will air on a major TV network this fall, Barr said, adding that he has no idea what's in store for the couples chosen.

"They're kind of keeping that top secret information," he said. "All I was told was that they're going to get ... to have their dream wedding."

Barr said he thinks Hire a Hero was approached to help find couples because of the group's involvement with helping former "Apprentice" winner Kelly Perdew find applicants to be his assistant.

"To my knowledge, I think they got our information from someone ... who said, 'Hey, use "Hire a Hero" to look for this kind of person,'" he said.

Hire a Hero is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Face of Defense: Former Stunt Man Makes Leap to Ministry

By Army Spc. Justin Snyder
Special to American Forces Press Service

July 21, 2008 - Army Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Light gives a weekly sermon and is available for counseling whenever a soldier might need it. But he is not your ordinary chaplain. "When I was in college, money was kind of hard to come by, so I became a stunt guy to pay for college," said Light, who serves with the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

In the late 1980s, Hollywood was experiencing a writers' strike. Feeling the pinch from a lack of work there, some of the companies in show business took their shows on the road.

"A guy who was a stuntman moved into town and would put on a Wild West show while trying to obtain the contracts for movies when they came through," said Light, a native of Kingspen, Tenn., and a graduate of East Tennessee State University. "We happened to go to the same church, and he took me under his wing, teaching me the ropes."

Light began working at the Wild West show, which led to performing a few stunts for television shows such as "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Rescue 911." The work on those shows paid most of his way through college.

Following college graduation in 1993, Light quit the stunt man life and began what he said he believed to be his true calling, ministry. He started working with college students in a counselor-like role at the University of Michigan, then at the University of California State in Fullerton.

After the university's program diminished due to a lack of funding, Light found himself without a job. He struggled to find employment for a few years, eventually distributing a resume with the hope someone would contact him for work. He finally got a call, but from an unexpected place: the Army.

"I got a call from a retired Army chaplain asking if I'd be interested in being a chaplain in the military. I told him, 'No,' because I wanted to work with college-age kids from 18 to 25 years old." Light said.

"He kind of laughed at me after that statement, because soldiers of that age make up a lot of the Army. After that, the light bulb came on, and I knew this was what God was calling me to do."

Over the next 15 months, he lost 50 pounds to meet the Army's weight standards and headed off to basic chaplains training. After graduation, he was assigned to the 1-187th Infantry Regiment, where he received word that he would be deploying to Iraq.

"Getting deployed was never a problem for me," Light said. "All of the active-duty people in my class were getting deployed, so I knew it was a matter of time. What good would I be if I could not deploy with the soldiers I am here for?"

Light said he constantly is learning and trying to improve himself as a better chaplain during his first deployment. Recently, he had an experience that served as a confidence booster.

"I was sitting outside reading when the company commander came walking by and told me I was a good chaplain," he recalled. "For someone outside of the Chaplain Corps to randomly come up to me and notice what I was doing, that really proved to me that being here was the right thing and that I was doing a good job."

While he isn't outside the wire all the time, Light said, he knows his job is equally as important. He must be there not only for the soldiers who are deployed, but also for their families back at home.

"Never in our nation's history have families had to give up so much," he said. "While I'm not out there on the front line fighting, it's my job to be there for [soldiers] when they come back. If I can help prepare these soldiers to go back to their families, I'm doing my part."

(Army Spc. Justin Snyder serves in the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team public Affairs Office.)

Bikers, Enthusiasts Gather for Motorcycle Safety Event

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

May 2, 2008 - A few hundred bikers and enthusiasts gathered in the Pentagon's north parking lot today for the second annual National Capital Region Joint Services motorcycle safety event. The event brought together an assortment of guest speakers including members of Congress, and department secretaries, Hollywood stars and military commanders, all avid bikers.

Probably the biggest head-turner at the event, though, was Catherine Bell, an actress known for her role of Marine Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie on the television show "JAG," and who recently has starred in the Lifetime Television hit series "Army Wives" as Denise Sherwood.

A self-described tomboy and risk taker, Bell has always had a passion for fast cars, motorcycles and boats, she said. But, she told the group, there has to be a balance of risk and reward.

"As much as I am addicted to the thrill of riding, there is definitely a balance as to how much I am willing to risk when I ride a motorcycle or I'm out on the track," she said.

Bell said her roles in her acting career have given her some insight into the military life. She said she understands servicemembers' need to blow off some steam, especially after a deployment, but said the onus is on leaders to ensure troops make the same smart decisions at home as they do in the field.

"We have to find ways to help our soldiers make smart decisions when they're back home, especially when they're away from the control and structure of on post," Bell said. "It's understandable they would want to cut loose, ... but our challenge ... is to find ways to reinforce the mindset that balances risk with reward -- and not choosing a motorcycle as a vehicle of choice to let totally loose, so that once they're home safely they will stay in one piece.

"Above all, we have to instill the mindset that riding a motorcycle to take out pent-up energy after months of working under such controlled circumstances is a formula for disaster," she said.

The United States has more than 6 million registered bikers, according to Department of Transportation officials. Motorcycles represent 2 percent of vehicles on the road, but represent 10 percent of crashes. Motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled since 1997, officials said.

This past week, the U.S. Army lost its 25th soldier this year to a motorcycle fatality, Army officials said. Last year, DoD had nearly 100 fatalities in motorcycles accidents.

Maj. Gen. James W. Nuttall, deputy director for the Army National Guard and an avid motorcycle rider, has been riding for four decades. In his younger days, he said, he did his share of unsafe riding.

"Quite frankly, the only reason I'm standing here before you today is because I'm lucky," he said.

He now rides a Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Ultra II, which cost more than his first house, Nuttall joked.

Nuttall said safe biking is all about getting soldiers to do the right thing, even when they're not around leadership.

"The hardest thing we have to get our soldiers to wear is the safety vest. Why? Quite frankly, you look stupid. It's all about fashion when you get on a motorcycle," Nuttall said.

The general said sport bikers are typically better dressed with safety gear, but they are also the highest risk for accidents and fatalities because of the speed of the bikes.

"You get in an accident at 50 miles an hour, you're still going to die. You'll have a good looking corpse though," he said.

There have been 13 deaths of Guard members this year, Nuttall said. Nearly all of those were on sport bikes. Ten of those were servicemembers younger than 26, he said. Already the death toll is twice as high as this time last year, he said.

He attributed the majority of accidents to inexperience and a lack of training, saying soldiers were coming back from combat deployments with "more money than brains" and buying new motorcycles.

"You'd be amazed at the amount of accidents that occur within the first few hundred miles. People who have no business being on motorcycles -- no training, no nothing," he said.

To ensure servicemembers are trained, U.S. Army Installation Management Command is expanding its support by ramping up a mobile surge capability of trainers, motorcycles and portable classrooms. When units return home from deployment and there is a demand for the training, groups of trainers and equipment "deploy" to the unit.

Army Maj. Gen. John MacDonald, deputy commanding general of Installation Management Command, said proper training and safety gear for a motorcycle is the equivalent to protection worn in combat.

"You wouldn't ask a soldier to go outside the wire without an Army combat helmet on. We don't let them go without [body armor]. We don't let them go without a weapon," he said. "When you talk to youngsters, it really is the same thing as when you go into combat."

Vans with eight motorcycle simulators deploy as part of the "surge." They can take as many as six vans. Also, for those who are buying more powerful bikes, his group has a computer simulator with all the power of a large motorcycle. A soldier rides the simulator motorcycle and uses three wide-screens to get a feel for how the bike would handle.

"The nice thing is you can go in there and test turns and braking power, and you can crash and just hit restart," MacDonald said.

Together, the Army combines hands-on training, Web-based course work, and simulators to improve soldiers' odds on the road, he said.

"All that experience is what we need youngsters to learn before they go out and crash and can't hit restart," MacDonald said.