Posted on Apr 1, 2014
SFC Platoon Sergeant
32.2K
43
35
6
6
0
<p>I have run into this in the past and the answer always ended up being no, but can a Platoon Sergeant confiscate a Soldier's vehicle keys?&nbsp; The situation was that I was talking with an AIT PSG recently about this and he said it is unit policy to take IET Soldiers' keys upon arrival to the AIT and the keys are held until the Soldier passes an APFT.&nbsp; When I was an AIT PSG, one of my Soldiers got a ticket on his motorcycle on post and the 1SG took the keys.&nbsp; The next day, the LTC at JAG called up to the unit to tell us to give the Soldier's keys back because it is illegal to take them, and that if anything happened to the POV while we had the keys, we would be personally liable for any damage.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What are your thoughts and/or experiences on this?&nbsp; Is it legal or illegal?&nbsp; If legal, are there stipulations as to how it must be done (CO has to be the one to take the keys/counsel the Soldier, etc.)?</p>
Posted in these groups: Driving2 Driving
Avatar feed
Responses: 16
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
SFC Michael Hasbun
0
0
0
Context. You can't do it arbitrarily, but if a Soldier is drunk and getting into the drivers seat, you BETTER take those keys...
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Maj John Bell
0
0
0
The only time I confiscated keys, as OOD, when a Marine was intoxicated. Was I on shaky ground, maybe... but nobody ever said anything about it the next day when they came to get their keys back.

I have heard of commands revoking a Marine's on-base driving privileges.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Chief Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Sergeant
0
0
0
No. The Command Cannot confiscate private property. Keys are part of the POV. My previous command decided to take away motorcycle keys from a Soldier that was riding on pink shorts and flip flops out in town. Soldier walked straight to legal and the command received a call from legal telling them to give keys back. Now the Command was able to take the Soldiers MSF card because it was obtain through a class funded by the military. Legal refer to his motorcycle keys as private property.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Motor Transport Operator
0
0
0
I need an example for counseling for driving with an expired driver license
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Frank Boynton
0
0
0
Hell, in 1979 when I went to Ft. Dix to attend Drill Sgt School, I'd arrived about 3 weeks before my class date.  I was assigned to my basic training company and for 3 weeks, I was what they called a hard hat.  Doing the job of a drill sgt, learing all I could.  Going home every night.  The first day of school was a Saturday and we were instructed to show up in PT gear.  Our first test was the PT test.  If you didn't pass you didn't go to school.   If you passed, that was the first of 112 tests you had to pass to graduate.  That day we moved into the schools barracks.  Every student lived in the barracks.  We stood inspections every day.  Both inside and outdoors.  You were not allowed off school grounds for any reason even when you were not in school because you were expected to be studying and practicing for your exams.  The only key(s) you were allowed to have were the keys to your wall/foot lockers and that was it.  At the end of the 2nd week we had a huge complete field layout and class A inspection.  If you passed you were allowed to move out of the barracks and life returned to some semblence of normal.  While no one took your keys away, it was understood that you didn't have any keys.  It was a merit school and enough demerits would send you packing.  There are ways to do things that have the same affect as taking away someones car keys.  At least in the day there were.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt Lonnie Rush
0
0
0
They can use a MPO (Military Protection Order) to restrict the Military member from driving. MPO's are used like restraining orders also but, it can be used for this kind of thing.
(0)
Comment
(0)
SFC Gardener
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Here's my take on it. I would like to know of any other employee in the US or abroad that will take an employees belongings. The services hire civilians then turn them into Soldiers or Marines or what have you. If at some point they forget what right looks like then all of a sudden there's drama. Taking away keys has nothing to do with grooming warriors. Unless of course they are a flight risk. Senior leadership doesn't get their privileges revoked when the commit the same stupid stuff as any other rank.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Sgt Lonnie Rush
Sgt Lonnie Rush
>1 y
Sometimes senior leadership gets punished it just takes on a different form. Like being forced to resign.  I've seen companies take away keys from employees at company parties until they passed a breathalyzer. You can say it never happens but, with the stupid lawsuits out there this with become more common.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.