Does every military vehicle require an NCO or above as TC?

2022-04-15T08:52:56-04:00

Does every military vehicle require an NCO as TC? I've heard this, but I can't find a regulation that specifically states this, except for certain post regulations like USFK.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2022 11:20 AM

2022-04-15T11:20:39-04:00

Last time I did Driver's Training, that was not brought up. However, there isn't anything stating an installation or even a unit Commander can't designate that policy.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 15 at 2022 11:30 AM

2022-04-15T11:30:19-04:00

I have never been associated with any unit that did not have NCOIC/Officer TCs. There is nothing in a regulation, just policy. It is a prudent requirement and accounts for a higher level of oversight for safety in training and tactical operations.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 15 at 2022 12:02 PM

2022-04-15T12:02:34-04:00

Are you asking if one is required in every vehicle? Not in any unit that I served. Movements always had an Officer or Senior NCO as Convey/Movement Officer/NCO, but didn't have a vehicle commander for every vehicle.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 15 at 2022 2:46 PM

2022-04-15T14:46:12-04:00

When I went through Master Driver school back in 2016, this was not a requirement.

That being said, many units have this as a policy, often even at the Division or Installation level. But it is unit policy, not regulation. (But... unit policy is still enforceable by UCMJ, so ya still gotta do it.)

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 16 at 2022 12:54 PM

2022-04-16T12:54:09-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member "Does every military vehicle require an NCO or above as TC?"

AR 385-10 The Army Safety Program
"11–10. Army combat vehicle safety guidelines
a. Army combat and track vehicle commanders. Each ACV will have a track commander or VC who will occupy the commander’s position within the vehicle. The track commander or VC will receive vehicle-specific training on the vehicle’s capabilities and limitations."
and
"Senior occupant. The senior occupant of an AMV or ACV is the senior ranking individual present or, in the case of a combat vehicle, the vehicle commander (VC), and is responsible for the overall safety of the occupants."

And in 28 years every unit I was in, had a local policy of requiring Vehicle commanders for all tactical vehicles, wheeled, tracked, and some limited exceptions to that requirement be an NCO, CPL or above.

Something like this

"g. Vehicle Commander (VC). Soldier with overall responsibility for the operation of a military vehicle and is certified under a unit’s TC/VC certification program. VCs must be in the grade of E-4 and above. All tactical vehicles driven, on or off installations are required to have at least two personnel, one of whom must be TC/VC certified. The VC should be licensed on the vehicle if there is a possibility that they may have to operate it. The VC may also be the operator of the vehicle depending on the mission (e.g. continuous operations) or for safety purposes, but still, maintain full responsibility for the vehicle. VC’s must be familiar with the vehicle in which they are the vehicle commander, to include the vehicle limitations, characteristics, and blind spots"

And then you have a DA PAM on convoy operations that states in part

"(3) The convoy commander is to assign an officer or NCO as “Vehicle Commander.” Vehicle commanders, along with vehicle operators, must inspect their vehicle prior to departure of the convoy to ensure that it is safe to operate under both administrative and/or tactical conditions. ."

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Apr 16 at 2022 1:02 PM

2022-04-16T13:02:47-04:00

Simple answer is no. There were many times that our fuel vehicles had only one person assigned to them. That soldier could be an E1-E4. They traveled with the LOGPAC and were under the operational control of whatever NCO was responsible for the it.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 16 at 2022 1:03 PM

2022-04-16T13:03:40-04:00

I would say it depends on the Unit, task and purpose. If it is a Command Grade PSD, then 99% likely. If it's a security patrol, not likely. Task and Purpose driven.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Apr 16 at 2022 2:35 PM

2022-04-16T14:35:41-04:00

Back in my enlisted days, I served as a BN CO and XO driver. When they were not with me, I was the TC. So when I left motor pool to go to their quarters, O Mess or anywhere else to get them or drop them off, no NCO nor other person hopped in the jeep to be the TC.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 17 at 2022 1:19 AM

2022-04-17T01:19:24-04:00

Unit SOP or policy may differ from specific training regulations.

Response by SFC William Linnell made Apr 17 at 2022 1:14 PM

2022-04-17T13:14:16-04:00

It depends on the unit. We never really had to in a Hummer. But a deuce and higher most definitely had post on down policies requiring a TC. Safety First.

Key point. Our Supply clerks in a LMTV were backing up to the dock at the co supply doors. The TC, SPC, lined up in front of the driver to ground guide him back. All of a sudden the LMTV tilted up in the air. WTF?? TC pulled him forward and ran to the other side. Rolled right up the hood of a new Mitzu eclipse. Good ole Michelin knobby tire imprints in hood. Clearly stated NO CIVILAIN VEHICLES ALLOWED. Why the TC didn't notice the red shiny car parked there when they pulled up, no one knows. But the TC ground guiding the LMTV should've been at the rear directing him back.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2022 12:28 AM

2022-04-18T00:28:14-04:00

Recently switched units and did the license instructor/examiner course. Ncoic put Single Occupant Driver on my license. Lets me drive without a TC and supposedly without a ground guide.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2022 8:10 AM

2022-04-18T08:10:06-04:00

Unit Specific SOP. When we have movements we only require one vic to have an NCOIC or OIC for each chalk. Other then that, they only need to be fully licensed on the vic they are a TC of.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 18 at 2022 11:39 AM

2022-04-18T11:39:48-04:00

You won't find it in a regulation, it doesn't exist as an Army wide policy.
It will be in a local policy. Usually comes up after someone does something stupid and caused an injury or death.