Where is the requirement for a TC to be licensed on the vehicle they will ride on?

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:08:52 -0400

Hello collective RallyPoint mind, here's the situation:

AR 385-10 tells us that all operators will be licensed in the equipment/vehicle they will operate.
AR 600-55 tells us the requirements in order to license an operator.
AR 385-10 also tells us that the Senior Occupant (TC, VC, etc) will assist with driving/operating duties.
I have this CO that insists on having unlicensed people as TC.
Ideas?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 22 at 2017 8:10 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:10:00 -0400

Required, no, planning considerations YES.
How else do you relieve the driver if need arises?
How else do you complete the mission if the driver falls ill?
How else can you be a subject matter expert on the operation, capabilities and limitations of the vehicle if not licensed and experienced?

EDIT and on that last point... Go hit up the Ft Rucker safety center and read the hundreds of investigations of Class A accidents where the TC told the driver to do somethings clearly outside the limitations of the vehicle.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 23 at 2017 12:20 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:20:40 -0400

Yeah, it isn't necessarily a requirement that the TC be licensed on the vehicle, but it should be done. There are just certain situation in which it just isn't feesable to have everyone licensed for a vic that they may be needed to TC. I was a scout so of course I was licensed on HMMWVs and M3A3s, but I spent a period of time in a support platoon and was needed to TC vics far outside what my MOS traditionally drives in like PLSs and HEMITTs. I wasn't there for long so it would be wasted to set aside the day to get me licensed on them, but as a responsible party in the vehicle I could still be trusted to perform the duties of a TC when necessary. So yeah, it happens. The system isn't perfect, my friend, but it works.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2017 5:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 17:05:23 -0400

I have been looking for that too. I just got a policy that III Corps put in place that says that TC'S will be licensed.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Aug 23 at 2017 5:09 PM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 17:09:30 -0400

How do you handle this? Easy. YES, SIR! and go on about what you are supposed to be doing. If something happens it is on the CO

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 24 at 2017 12:18 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 12:18:23 -0400

are these TC's UMR'ed to these vehicles, or are they just stop gap personell? What I mean is this, is the TC one for a bradley or stryker? or is it something that is "hey, I need you to TC the humvee to drop class I to the boys conducting training" type of thing?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2017 9:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 09:44:42 -0500

I have never seen any regulatory guidance or Black in white on this. I believe it is just a add to, not take away type of thing. It makes sense to have both a licensed operator and TC to mitigate drivers fatigue. Especially for in experienced drivers were some areas are a little harder to traverse. However, like I said before if the Commander makes it a policy for the Company then it is required.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2019 6:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 18:39:17 -0400

All local policies. But on the other hand, how can you have someone "supervise" an activity if they don't know anything about said activity. Short moves on the "hard ball"....from the motor pool to the company, are one thing. But going out of the "foot print", I think is a NO GO

Response by CW3 Robert Jobe made Nov 18 at 2020 5:22 PM

CW3 Robert Jobe — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 17:22:09 -0500

What does the post and BDE SOP say?