MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station Motor Transportation officials are continuing to enforce the regulations governing garrison mobile equipment (GME) and urging service members to use the Station's intranet resources to help streamline their business operations.
All forms and orders pertaining to GME are now available on the intranet, said Sgt. Frankie Rutherford, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron roadmaster.
According to Sgt. John Szczepanowski, H&HS licensing examiner, on the spot road checks and tougher licensing criteria will help reduce the number of vehicle accidents involving GME.
Before the Atlanta, Ga. native, Szczepanowski, arrived on the air station, getting a license to drive a vehicle in the Motor Transportation's fleet required passing a written exam and filling out the proper paperwork. That remains the same; however, a new road test will gauge driver's abilities to perform proper backing procedures, signaling and driving on the "wrong side of the road," he said.
Szczepanowski said that a review of all accident records revealed a substantial amount of incidents were occurring within the first 30 days of the license being issued. This led to the implementation of the road test, which will further evaluate the operator's driving ability.
"Our focus of effort remains timeliness of service and customer satisfaction, but we must also ensure a person is fully capable of safely operating a vehicle before being issued a license," said Szczepanowski. "I have spent a lot of time reviewing records and creating a new database in order to improve the licensing process."
In an effort to reduce GME related incidents, the roadmaster coordinated with the Provost Marshall's Office to receive training and authority to issue traffic citations for GME drivers.
"Service members have 10 days to resolve the citation," Szczepanowski said. Ignoring traffic tickets could result in revocation of the operator's license or the vehicle could be taken back into the motor transportation inventory and issued only on a day-to-day basis.
Seatbelt and parking violations in a government owned vehicle would be ground for citation as well as any on-station accident where the GME operator is at fault, Rutherford said.
Also, Rutherford reminds service members that before, during and after checks of the government vehicle's engine compartment and other essential areas are still in effect.
"We are still tagging vehicles," Rutherford said about the red and white tags he puts in parked vehicles to ensure operators are checking vehicles before operating. "Sometimes (Marines) try to take the easy way out and not look under the hood. Don't wait for the next guy to check. Returning the tag immediately to the motor transportation dispatcher is the responsibility of everyone who drives the vehicle."
When a vehicle is tagged, the odometer is checked. This lets Station Motor Transportation know how often operators are checking under the hood, he said.
Another area of concern for Szczepanowski and Rutherford are the number of fleet vehicles parked in unauthorized places.
"They are not for personal use - period," Rutherford said. "(Marine Corps Order P11240.1068) prohibits vehicles from being at Crossroads Mall or the Exchange, or other areas that are not deemed 'official use'. Use common sense when operating these vehicles. We'll spot them and issue a citation."
Each government vehicle operating on the Station is required to have a copy of the before, during and after checklist in the vehicle. This checklist is to be completed by the driver prior to operating the vehicle. Drivers should listen for any unusual sounds during the operation. After the vehicle is parked, operators should check again for problems, Rutherford said.
"Taking the time to check for discrepancies in the vehicles can help prevent major equipment problems," Rutherford explained. "Proper B-D-A checks ensure Marines are keeping the vehicles maintained and will reduce the number of reports for unknown damage to the vehicles."