Put it in park: Leave the GOV at work

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sarah Gregory
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Italy’s numerous road signs and narrow streets can make driving a complicated and difficult process at best. But for Aviano members operating a government-owned vehicle, the rules are simple.

“Government-owned vehicles are for official use only,” said Staff Sgt. Kory Kearney, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of AFI/GOV licensing. “People are taking GOVs to the base exchange and the dining facilities, which are not authorized locations. If a GOV driver is passing by one of those establishments and they think it’s okay to stop for food, they’re wrong.”

Since the beginning of the current fiscal year, more than 50 cases of vehicle misuse have been reported to the vehicle operations flight. While GOV misuse is a common problem, Sergeant Kearney said the high numbers of instances is due to a lack of knowledge.

“Most of the time people aren’t aware they are breaking any rules,” he said. “The two main areas where we see infractions are at eating establishments and the off-limits road.”
Just like any rule, there are exceptions to this GOV policy.

“Because they aren’t permanently assigned here and don’t have their own vehicles, TDY personnel are allowed to use GOVs to visit the commissary and dining facility,” explained Tech. Sgt. Roy Hensley, 31st LRS vehicle operations supervisor.

To take a GOV to an eating establishment, Aviano permanent party members must have approval from the installation commander.

“Currently, the only units authorized to stop by eating establishments with a GOV are 31st Security Forces Squadron’s emergency responders and the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron’s fire department personnel,” said Sergeant Kearney.

Whether civilian or military, if an Aviano member is caught misusing a GOV, they are subject to stiff penalties.

“After a GOV misuse incident is reported to us, we notify the using member’s commander, who conducts an investigation,” Sergeant Kearney said. “It’s up to the commander to determine if there was actual GOV misuse.”

If it’s decided that a member has committed GOV misuse, Sergeant Kearney said punishments for military members can range from discipline under the UCMJ to administrative punishment such as letters of counseling or reprimand.

“Civilians can be suspended from duty by the Secretary of the Air Force without pay for up to one month. If the violations are reoccurring, the punishments get harsher,” he added.

Following the GOV driving rules will not only keep people from getting into trouble, but it’s also a Fraud, Waste and Abuse matter, said Sergeant Hensley.

“The extra driving and stops cause wear and tear on the vehicle and tires, and it wastes fuel,” he said. “In addition, taxpayers are paying for that extra trip to the BX or dining facility and the man-hours spent researching the misuse is time wasted.”

Although members can’t take GOVs to eating establishments, there are still ways for them to get around at mealtimes.

“There is a shuttle bus to take people to the dining facility, the mass briefing facility and other areas of the base, including Areas One and Two,” said Master Sgt. Andy Meyers, 31st LRS vehicle operations superintendent. “If people have suggestions for improvements, they can use the LRS commander’s suggestion box located on the LRS Web page.”