Can leadership check the inside contents of your POV during a POV Inspection?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:39:58 -0400

During POV inspections checklist a LT and Captain started looking thought the soldiers vehicle, just due to soldier having a dirty car

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2024 6:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:38:32 -0400

He didn’t like it and is very upset

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Oct 28 at 2024 6:42 PM

SGM Jeff Mccloud — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:42:52 -0400

Inside the vehicle, yes.
If they are following the checklist to the letter, they are ensuring all seat belts work, defrost works, and they need to see that both registration and insurance are current (though the owner should be handing that over personally).

Beyond that, we'll need a little more information; was there just some trash from a couple of drive-thrus, or does the car look like a hobo has lived in it all year? If closer to the latter, then it just became a health and welfare issue.

Bear in mind that all annoying Army activities (POV inspections, health and welfare inspections, cyber awareness, etc) are all designed for, and are required because of, the lowest common denominator. It may only be an unnecessary inconvenience for you, but there are always going to be enough people in the formation that make it a real issue that still needs to be resolved.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 29 at 2024 8:57 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:57:38 -0400

Can leadership inspect the inside of a car during a POV inspection. Within reason following the POV inspection checklist. There are several items on the list on the inside of the vehicle. It isn't just an external inspection. How dirty is dirty? If there is so much debris and trash where they have to move stuff to get to the spare tire, seat belts, or something else that gets into nasty territory. That context is needed. The inspection shouldn't be considered a shake down and should not look like Police looking for a murder weapon. It also isn't a white glove room inspection. Only the things on the checklist should be looked at but if somebody has a funky, filthy vehicle and the inspectors mentioned as much while trying to look at the spare and etc. that isn't crossing a line. Having done my fair share of Vehicle inspections during my time I always hated having to sift through garbage in a car trying to check everything.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Oct 29 at 2024 11:55 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:55:16 -0400

Simple answer is yes. Especially if you pay attention to these signs that are at every DoD Installation. They have the right to search any of your personal property to include backpacks, purses, cars etc.

Response by SSG Daquan Torrey made Oct 30 at 2024 5:35 AM

SSG Daquan Torrey — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:35:40 -0400

Yes the command team can search a SM POV. While it may sound silly but they must ensure that all SM in their company isn’t not violating any law. For example a SM can have illegal items stored in their vehicle.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2024 10:27 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:27:35 -0400

POV inspection? Why are we wasting time and money on that?

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Oct 30 at 2024 3:21 PM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:21:11 -0400

i once stuck my finger into the barrel of loaded shotgun while conducting POV inspections. that was after finding a box of shotgun shells in the guys barracks room and telling him that IF he were to go out and buy a shotgun tomorrow, he would have to keep it in the arms room. he was not the smartest troop i ever had.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2024 4:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 04:38:23 -0400

Does anyone read the regs anymore?

Response by CPL Jason Northedge made Nov 4 at 2024 8:15 AM

CPL Jason Northedge — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:15:11 -0500

Sounds like "dirty Mike and the boys" strikes again.