Why don't we use military vehicles for work instead of POV?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:05:43 -0400

I think that use of military trucks is being overlooked. Every unit I have been to in my 7yrs of service only used there trucks for field problems and ranges. These trucks accumulate so many issues by dry rotting and still fluids. The budget has been a issue but instead of letting these vehicles self destruct I think we should use them as our daily vehicle. This would make soldiers more responsible and accountable for their vehicles. I have put more miles on my personal POV on post during work hours than I have off post off work. The higher gets drivers and nice government POVs al I ask is to use the unit trucks during work hours instead of my personal POV

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 14 at 2015 8:10 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:10:55 -0400

Funny to see that this discussion is still going around the military. While it looks good on paper, in practice the idea can get crazy. First off, not every unit has enough vehicles to supply each Soldier with one. Second, can you picture the parking lots around post if Soldiers were all driving 998s or LMTVs or any other military vehicle as their daily drive? There's nothing stopping you from dispatching a vehicle out of the motorpool to complete a task that you feel your POV will not be able to complete. There is also nothing stopping you from dispatching that same vehicle during weekly PMCS in order to get it rolling to prevent some of the issues you outlined.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 14 at 2015 8:30 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:30:56 -0400

Why are there so many goverment plated vehicles (civilian type) on the road. Why can't they use their own vehicles and if they are using it for work reimburse them. That would have to be cheaper than buying and maintaining all the vehicles the goverment has in their fleet.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jul 14 at 2015 9:03 AM

MSgt Manuel Diaz — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:03:25 -0400

Because you wouldn't be Able to acquisition one if it was accessible to everyone. And when the unit needed it, who actually had it. More headaches. Because everyone would complain that it was in an unauthorized location.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 14 at 2015 9:42 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:42:09 -0400

The simple answer is convenience.

It is "inconvenient" to use Government vehicles. There is a level of accountability associated with them that is not associated with privately owned vehicles (POVS). It sounds great in practice, but in execution, it is a pain.

As an example, imagine going to the motor pool at 0600 checking out a vehicle, getting your trip ticket, and fuel card, running around all day, annotating how far you went per stop, how many people were in the vehicle per leg, filling the vehicle up at the end of the day, and ensuring it was washed each and every time before you could turn it in, and heaven help you if you didn't get it back to the Motor Pool before 1800. This is NOT Hyperbole. This is was actual USMC policy on MCB Quantico if you needed a Government vehicle as an E1-E5. As a E6+, you could check out a vehicle for 7 days "if" it was being parked on base.

So basically, it came down to, unless you absolutely needed a Government vehicle, you avoided it like the plague. They weren't worth the hassle or the administrative burden.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 1:17 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 13:17:30 -0400

I see a lot of humvees used all over Bragg so someone is dispatching them for use. I also noticed that they don't wear kevlars unless they are going to the field.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 6:32 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 18:32:27 -0400

So, most of our companies are co-located with the BN's in CA on FT Bragg. However, right after we stood up a new Company, there was no room in the old BN HQ Building for them and they got move to "Mod Village" on the other side of post. They started complaining about having to drive over for daily and weekly meetings. Then that turned into them complaining about driving their own POVs and wasting gas. Well, they thought they were going to get to VTC into them. The CSM said nope, dispatch your M1151's. Eventually they actually got the BN an extra van and the Company signed for and used it for official business. If there is a genuine need, it can be done.

Long story, shorter answer. If there is a genuine need for you to travel around post for work and your unit isn't allowing you to dispatch a government vehicle to do it, they should. Your fuel and vehicle's wear and tear is yours and you shouldn't be forced to use it so that the AF can take the Army's fuel and maintenance money and buy their sweet F-35s (The last part is a joke... not the Air Force... the F-35)

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 14 at 2015 7:44 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:44:16 -0400

So when an 18 yr old pv2 side swipes you brand new 2015 mustang gt with a hummer , good luck trying to get reimbursement in a timely manner, you better have full coverage with rental car from geico

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jul 15 at 2015 3:38 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 03:38:57 -0400

Two basic reasons:
1.) The GOV was paid for in previous FY budgets. It's operational & maintenance costs come comes out of THIS year's budget. It's cheaper to park 'em.
2.) The government does not carry an insurance plan for accidents...