By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, September 6, 2012

The use of Department of Defense or Army owned or a controlled non-tactical vehicle is confined to official purposes only, according to the Directorate of Logistics.

Anyone who uses, or authorizes the use of, a government motor vehicle for other than official purposes, will face a suspension of at least one month without pay (or longer if warranted) and can be removed from duty, according to Carlton Freese, DOL transportation officer.

“It’s an Army resource that is not to be misused,” said Freese. “Don’t do it. The penalties are stiff.”

Military personnel may be disciplined under provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or other administrative procedures deemed appropriate.

Freese said authorized used of Army owned or controlled non-tactical vehicles include conducting official business such as:

• Attending official ceremonies

• Attending patient therapeutic programs, chaplain programs, sponsored athletic teams and morale, welfare and recreation groups

• Emergency leave transportation approved by the commander

No one can use a government vehicle for personal use, Freese said. Personal use includes using the vehicle to commute to private social functions, personal errands or side trips for unofficial purposes.

Belvoir’s DOL has recently experienced an increase in the number of misuse reports involving people using government vehicles for transportation to commissaries, post exchanges and concessions, bowling alleys, officer and noncommissioned officer clubs and non-appropriated funded activities.

Freese said this misuse consistently occurs during the lunch hour.

“That’s the most common violation that we see,” Freese said. “It’s prohibited by the regulation because that’s considered personal use.”

DOL’s transportation motor pool division man ages all General Services Administration vehicles assigned to the Fort Belvoir’s Fleet, which can be used by DoD servicemembers, civilians and contractors. Belvoir’s fleet consists of sedans, mini vans, pick-up trucks and other vehicles.

According to DOL’s website, GSA vehicles also may not be utilized outside of a 100 mile radius of the transportation motor pool. Users must also obtain a military driver’s license by completeing the Army Traffic Safety Program’s Accident Avoidance Course or the GSA’s Accident Avoidance Course. A complete list of license requirements can be found on DOL’s website.

Freese said any person can inform DOL of GSA vehicle misuse by contacting him at DOL. You can identify a government vehicle by the vehicles’ licenses plates, which have the phrase “U.S. Government,” above the plate numbers.

To report misuse or ask questions regarding vehicle use, contact call (703) 805-5674, or or (703) 805-3751.