QUEENSLAND, Australia -- QUEENSLAND, Australia--In 2002, motorcross superstar Ricky Carmichael stunned the world when he completed the first-ever, perfect motorcross season. The same year, freestyle maniac Brian Deegan turned heads when he landed the first successful back flip on a dirt bike. The life of a pro rider can be full of action, money and worldwide recognition, but there are some professional dirt bikers out there who actually serve a more practical purpose.Marine Corps scout messengers, mounted atop specially made Kawasaki 650cc enduro motorcycles, have the important task of relaying messages, delivering equipment and obtaining information on the battlefield. It may not be professional competition, but it's a job reserved for those who need speed and action as a part of daily life."It's gotta be the most fun job in the Marine Corps," said Lance Cpl. Mike Nolan, a scout messenger with Headquarters Co., 3rd Marine Regiment at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. "People come up to us all the time and ask us about our jobs. We just tell them the truth; we love to work."The 3rd Marine Regiment has two motorcycles assigned to complete the messenger scouting tasks of its three infantry battalions. The constant flow of message traffic keeps the riders busy speeding between command positions and other key areas during training exercises across the world, throughout the year. Johnny Campbell, the famed desert enduro racer reaches speeds more than 100 miles per hour during many races. Moving with speed and agility across rough terrain is a task better suited to a dirt bike than a Humvee because of its size and maneuverability. "I think the bike could probably go that fast if I really opened her up," said Nolan, a Farmington, Conn., native. "We're really not allowed to do that though, because if you go down out there and hurt yourself, you're riding all alone and it could be a while before someone finds you."Scout messengers wear full protective gear, much like pro racers, only they're olive green in color, and doesn't attract near as much attention. One of the main benefits of having tactical motorcycles is their small size and relatively quiet exhaust system. "They're pretty heavy bikes, really," Nolan said. "But having that big 650cc engine is really worth it when you're chugging up some of these huge hills. They're pretty powerful as well, and if you don't know what you're doing, you could hurt yourself pretty easily."The scout messengers attend a two-week course offered by Base Schools at MCB Hawaii. The first week gets riders acquainted with the very basics of riding a motorcycle. "They teach you everything, even how to sit on it," Nolan said. "But in the end you really do learn a lot."The second week takes the riders out to MCB Hawaii Training Area Bellows, where they learn to ride in an off-road environment, through the training area's many trails and large hills and valleys. "Getting to rip it all through those trails and mountains was a great time. I never imagined that of all the jobs in the Marine Corps, I'd end up with something like this."Nolan recalled seeing Marine scout messengers in a recruiting video he saw before entering the Marine Corps. The images of Marines in full-on motorcross gear stuck in his head, even after he was initially assigned as a radio operator with 3rd Marine Regiment. "I just kept my eyes and ears open, because I knew they had bikes here. As soon as a position opened up, I jumped at the chance to go to school and become a messenger."Nolan and other Marine Corps' scout messengers may never achieve the status or level of recognition received by superstars like Jeremy Mcgrath or Roger DeCoster, but like being a Marine, riding is a way of life that is hard for others who aren't involved to understand."I just love to ride," said Nolan. "I honestly can't think of a better way to spend an enlistment."