Should Soldiers be given an allowance per month for gas?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:51:57 -0500

I see day after day Soldiers being told they have to run back and forward to different location at their own gas expense. Not everything is in walking distance, or being able to be there in the short time periods given.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Nov 23 at 2013 8:02 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:02:58 -0500

If it is a constant ongoing requirement to use your own vehicle for official business, I say yes.  I currently work in Cheyenne Mountain; individuals who have to attend meetings at Peterson AFB, are authorized to submit monthly vouchers for reimbursement of mileage traveled to and from Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson AFB (approx. 32 miles round trip).

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 23 at 2013 8:12 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:12:47 -0500

No....where does this stop?<br><br>Should the Army pay extra for haircuts because you have to get them once a week (or longer)?<br><br>Should the Army pay extra for washing uniforms because they want you to present a professional appearance?<br><br>How about razors?  Most Soldiers have to shave each day.<br><br>This is why Soldiers get basic pay.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 23 at 2013 8:34 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:34:20 -0500

If one of my Soldiers was in this situation, I would ensure they have easy approved access to a duty vehicle from the unit.  Leaders need to watch out for this.  Junior Soldiers are prone to not speak up about things like this, because they don't want to rock the boat -- when in fact the leaders should be on the ball and making sure Soldiers are not spending out of pocket for unit tasks.  Just my opinion. 

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 23 at 2013 8:49 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:49:41 -0500

Post shuttle. If the leaders don't have the time to allow their Soldiers to use that service, they need to rethink just how critical the task is. Maybe they should just get the HMMWV from the motorpool.<br>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 9:32 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 21:32:06 -0500

depends...... if your driving for the Army for Army mission then yes. I was a two credit card holders and used a lot of gas making purchases for civilians just so they didn't have to travel to far from their home. I know Ft Benning's Chaplains funds Office is considering it. I added up my mileage once in one week and realized I drove 100 extra mile for the Army making purchases. If it is just from home to work then no.

Response by TSgt Gary G. made Nov 23 at 2013 9:44 PM

TSgt Gary G. — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 21:44:22 -0500

<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[cd31].[1][3][1]{comment [login to see] 31990_2398052}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[cd31].[1][3][1]{comment [login to see] 31990_2398052}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[cd31].[1][3][1]{comment [login to see] 31990_2398052}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">IF for official business, you
file this on a SF 1164; local commander can approve it. It's in the JFTR & has been
done for decades. The question is will the CC approve when a govt
vehicle is available, why it wasn't used, etc.</span></span></span>

Response by TSgt Gary G. made Nov 23 at 2013 9:50 PM

TSgt Gary G. — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 21:50:25 -0500

IF for official business, you
file this on a SF 1164; local commander can approve it. It's in the JFTR & has been
done for decades. The question is will the CC approve when a govt
vehicle is available, why it wasn't used, etc.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 10:07 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:07:51 -0500

Depends if you are doing missions for the Army. I was a two card Holder (AF and NAF) for Fort Benning GA and I would have to drive extra miles out of the way to make purchases. One time I counted up my mileage and it was an extra 100 miles in one week and that was not even the busiest week. I know Fort Benning Chaplains Funds Office are considering it. If it is just for driving from home to base and back then that would be a big NEGATIVE.

Response by SGT Brendan Beely made Nov 23 at 2013 10:08 PM

SGT Brendan Beely — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:08:33 -0500

Look into itemizing your tax returns. Mileage spent to and from work is not deductible, but once you report in, any extra driving your job requires (like crossing Fort Hood because your motorpool is 7 miles from your company) *is* deductible as a business related expense. Doesn't help in the short term, but long term it does.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 10:26 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:26:41 -0500

I say it depends on how much the soldier is required to travel in order to accomplish unit missions/details. For instance, I work out of an unaccompanied housing office that supports all tenant units within post making it necessary for everyone that works within the office travel constantly on a daily basis across post and back. Since we do not have a TMP allotted to our office we are left with no choice but to use our POVs.

I am sure there are similar cases out there like this throughout the ARMY. So a better question would be, What are the minimum requirements (mileage) in order to request subsidy?

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Nov 23 at 2013 10:32 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:32:12 -0500

No.....sounds like a leadership issue to me. <div><br></div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 10:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:40:17 -0500

Itemizing your tax returns is a guaranteed audit. Yes I feel we should get a fuel allowance I live on post it takes me less than 15 min to get to my place of duty and yet I go threw 1 full tank of gas every week. This mite not sound like much but to drive from BRAGG to my home in Michigan it only takes 1 1/2 tanks of gas. I spend more money on fuel making the mission happen than the army spent open paper inventing the mission.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Nov 23 at 2013 10:44 PM

SFC Jason Porter — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:44:59 -0500

When they close all the state side military commissaries they might be able to do it!

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Nov 23 at 2013 10:47 PM

SFC Jason Porter — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:47:41 -0500

I cannot believe this is even a discussion!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 10:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:50:23 -0500

If soldier's are given a gas allowance, then it means those expenses cannot be claimed on taxes at the end of the year. Just like a clothing allowance, you have to take that into consideration that your given that and cannot claim it as an expense when it is given as an allowance.

People also do not know that if they travel more than 50 miles (I think that much) on any given travel for work, during work or in reference to your well being, they can claim it on DTS and get reimbursed for it. When I was stationed at Fort Drum, I often had to go to Syracuse to the VA for health care that was otherwise not provided in the local area. Syracuse was roughly 85 miles away. I claimed my travel distance through my DTS manager and got reimbursed for the gas. I also had a soldier who had to constantly travel 3 hours away and back 3 times a week for his son who was special needs. Fort Drum did not provide the services his son needed so he was always referred to a hospital 3 hours away. This continued until he got compassionately reassigned to Ft. Belvoire to be near Walter Reed. He got reimbursed for every trip through DTS.

If you also create an allowance, then there would have to be step levels for it instead of a flat rate. Some soldiers live onpost and do not drive out of their way on their own gas bill to do things for the military. Then you have individuals who foot their paycheck constantly to drive around for work whether for meetings or to pick up supplies.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 11:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 23:13:28 -0500

Yes I feel we should be given a monthly fuel allowance. I live on post and less than 5 miles from my motor-pool & company. I have to fill my truck every week. That might not sound like an army problem, but I am a mechanic and I have modded my truck in such a way that I can drive from BRAGG to my home in Michigan on 1 1/2 tanks of gas approximately 35 gal. for just over 1,000 miles of driving. I spend more on gas making the mission happen than the Army spends on paper and ink inventing the mission. Lets not even get into how much I spend on food for my Soldiers because the Army can't afford to give them mre's.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2013 11:47 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 23:47:39 -0500

It makes sense if used properly but I feel as though the line, "This is why we can't have nice things" is used for this idea the month within its implementation. People will abuse this and it will be rampant in some areas. Clean up the branches and purge the ones that give us a bad name and then this seems like a great idea.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 12:02 AM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 00:02:01 -0500

I just pulled my first SDO duties at my unit and had to use my own vehicle for multiple building and barracks checks during my 24 hours. There was no GOV for the duty. I was baffled. I have been always against using a POV for official business, but it seems the Army seems to turn a blind eye and we always end up using POV's instead.

Response by SFC James Baber made Nov 24 at 2013 12:05 AM

SFC James Baber — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 00:05:31 -0500

I have seen many comments on here about taxes that are outright wrong. Let me pass on the skinny of how to do it, you have to give up one year to do it though. You file a form with the IRS claiming your vehicle for business expense related to work, and yes being in the military you can do it. You maintain all your gas receipts and mileage charts for that year submit it and wait approximately 60-90 for approval from IRS, and from that point on as long as you own that car, are at the same duty station, and pretty much have the same job, you can claim the government rate for mileage on your taxes at the end of the year. I first filed in 1995 while @ Hood, in 1996-2000 I claimed my work related mileage on my taxes and got back on average about $2200 just in mileage expenses each year.

Now once you PCS, change vehicles or jobs, you have to start the process all over again, but if you are anal retentive like me with receipts and charts, it is an easy way to get reimbursed by Uncle Sam for having to utilize your own POV for your job.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 12:18 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 00:18:16 -0500

As a PFC, it does get ridiculous to drive to the motor pool here on Stewart, only to be told to report back to battalion or to the ed center, just off post. Often my FSC is tasked with missions later than the battalion we support simply because our company HQ is not physically attached. Also, duty my time as company armorer, and during field problems I was making upwards of 5 round trips from the barracks to the company a day. I ended up selling my 77 Camaro just to afford the army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 9:57 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 09:57:58 -0500

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Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Nov 24 at 2013 5:23 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 17:23:04 -0500

I believe a soldiers base pay,cola,and housing pay,should all be raised
to a living wage.I also believe it should be adjusted yearly to inflation,and from there it goes up by rank.As we down size we should use a portion of the returns to make it happen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 5:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 17:24:41 -0500

I'd thank the lucky stars if an allowance for gas was ever given (although I know it isn't gonna happen).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 5:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 17:27:33 -0500

Especially on Bragg......man, you try getting from Honeycutt Rd on the Coscom side of post all the way over by 82nd with NO car.

Response by SFC Jason Porter made Nov 24 at 2013 6:12 PM

SFC Jason Porter — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 18:12:40 -0500

In my 20 years of Service I never once had a issue making sure a Soldier made it to point A to B. If he needed a ride to the airport for say taking leave bam somebody was there to help him out if he needed it, a ride to the bank anything myself and others in the Platoon, Squad,or team where there to help out. NCO's primary job is to help what ever means possible. So I do not see how the DOD would even approve of such funds. Look at all the massive cuts that are upcoming and or have been implemented. In my opinion NCO's need to take care of their Soldiers and or one anther. I am old school and this is my view.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 6:19 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 18:19:29 -0500

No.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2013 7:29 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 19:29:58 -0500

We get a mileage allowance as veterans at the VA for travel and it makes sense for you as well,  but I fear with our current fiscal crisis,  it is unlikely to happen.<br>

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Nov 24 at 2013 11:05 PM

CSM Stuart C. O'Black — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:05:21 -0500

No - period! Next question. Understand all the issues with responsibilities but it is not unique to Soldiers.

Response by SN John Gilbert made Nov 25 at 2013 7:03 AM

SN John Gilbert — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 07:03:41 -0500

Well before they had shuttles that would take you to different bases for different businesses, and most depts. have vehicles procured for use if it's Military business. I asked a SGT.FC. and he said that no, I think if it's for military business then yes they should but they couldn't write off the mileage at the end of the year.

Response by SFC Michael Boulanger made Nov 25 at 2013 2:49 PM

SFC Michael Boulanger — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:49:48 -0500

Maybe Soldiers could receive an abbreviated COLA in their monthly pay to help compensate the cost. If the US Government wasn't past due on their bills already and had the extra money for it. Just saying.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2013 3:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 15:24:06 -0500

I have read the arguments on both sides, but I don't think so. Soldiers should become better at managing their finances, and leaders should know better than tasking soldiers to use POV's for official business, especially without reimbursement.<br><br>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 3:13 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 03:13:48 -0500

I am seeing a trend on this thread, Senior leaders, the ones who generally have NTVs issued to them from the TMP are saying NO! END OF STORY! Well Gentlemen, does that mean you you would be willing to turn in your TMP vehicles and start driving your POV to all your meeting, briefings luncheons, walkthroughs, meet and greets, ceremonies etc?

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Nov 26 at 2013 10:16 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 22:16:44 -0500

What about certain members of the squad,platoon,company,etc,being certified runners.They would be certified to carry a gas card,they would log their miles,and destination.Your log would be reviewed weekly by,PLT Leader,monthly by CO.Commander,and on up the chain,all the way to Div,and then a yearly audit.Sounds like allot of work but units would not abuse it,because of the layers of the oversight and Commanders would be more accountable for fraud.This would be a card that would be carried by the certified member all year.This would keep the work load down by only issuing to a few runners,and of course use military vehicles when feasible.Basically car pool.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2013 11:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:42:11 -0500

Times have changed for sure. When I was a private I made about $150 every 2 weeks lived in the barracks and didn't own a car. I walked to the unit or got a ride from my team leader. I now deal with PFCs that own BMWs and make $700ish every two weeks. They just don't manage their money.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 4 at 2013 8:42 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 08:42:23 -0500

My take is anything the Army REQUIRES you to do, they should foot the bill for it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2013 8:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 08:52:42 -0500

I wish that this was so. I travel a long way to drill. I also understand that none of the jobs i have ever had in the outside Army world have ever paid me gas money.
I would love all my meals to be covered when i go to drill, actually it would be lovely if i could have my dogs board at the kennel paid to but i understand also that that will never happen.
I did just find out that you can claim your gas receipts on your taxes for traveling to drill. In my case through even through its a 8 hour drive there and back it wouldn't benefit me to claim my gas to drill my tax return would become more of a nightmare then it already is. It is a option through.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 4 at 2013 10:39 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 10:39:07 -0500

Save your receipts for tax season. Also, I am not going to bestow more debt to the American people unlike the greedy suits in the White House.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 4 at 2013 10:39 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 10:39:22 -0500

Save your receipts for tax season. Also, I am not going to bestow more debt to the American people unlike the greedy suits in the White House.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Dec 4 at 2013 12:45 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:45:07 -0500

Not sure whether you are talking about between bases, between buildings on base, or what, but if its strictly on base, don't they have a 'base taxi' or a bike path? Many, MANY years ago, the USMC had base taxi services that ran out of the Motor T unit. There were also lots and lots of bikes on base that were used.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2013 7:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 19:46:27 -0500

I've gotten gas and millage pay for going to schools, but never for drills or state activations...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2013 8:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:15:22 -0500

I think it depends on we're you are stationed and what the travel is for. I don't think it should be used for home to work. You have a choice on where to live so that is on you. Me personally I am in the DC area and there is a lot that has to be done away from Belvoir where I am stationed. And while it may be not far in distance, the travel time can be hell. It took me two hours to drive from Belvoir to Bethesda for a appointment once. While I have no problem with that, what about a soldier in lower pay grades that is a here in an area with a insane cost of living.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2013 1:51 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 01:51:29 -0500

No, soldiers should not be given a gas allowance for the running back and forth (motor pool, conex yard, EST, brigade, etc.) that we do. It is a business expense that we need to report as a deduction when filing taxes.

That is what most people do in the civilian world, unless traveling is their full-time job. When I was 18 and didn't know how to report business deductions on my tax forms, I consulted the IRS, not my supervisor.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 9:52 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 09:52:57 -0500

The unit should do EVERYTHING in their power to eliminate the need to use POVs for Government business, but when all else fails, they should be prepared to pay for the use of the POV...

You cannot require a Soldier to HAVE a POV, let alone REQUIRE them to USE their POV for Government work... If I can't walk there, then you need to give me some other way to get there. If I don't want to spend all day waiting for the shuttle or go through the hassle of checking out the TMP, so I take my POV of my own volition, THEN it's on me...

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Dec 7 at 2013 11:02 AM

CSM Stuart C. O'Black — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 11:02:21 -0500

<p>Good point MSG Quick:  I use to get this question asked a lot and hear some complaining so I came up with a fix as a 1SG and offered to draw a HMMWV.</p><p><br></p><p>The Soldiers/NCOs could use it for official military business. However, they fact you needed to have a TC and wear your protective gear 98% said I rather drive my POV. Only on a rare occasion did they use the military vehicle and that was probably just to take up the challenge.  To this day when I hear a 1SG or Senior NCO say something I always tell them they have a Motor Pool full of vehicles that need used. </p><p><br></p><p>You can't stop by the PX or run other personal errands that most do in conjunction with those task so again they chose to drive.</p>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2013 12:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:03:24 -0500

Question,

What is so mission Critical that means E-1's to E-4's have to maneuver from the Company to the Motor pool in ten minutes? Is there a Hat that a CSM pulls a random task out of every hour on the hour that must be completed in 11 minutes or less or a kitten dies?

My point is I see a lot of lack of planning involving these types of situations where the soldiers have to pay additional out of pocket costs to complete the mission. The Army is seeing major budget cuts and the soldiers are feeling it in the training and my opinion is that they should not also have to pay for it out of pocket.

I don't think giving allowances is going to help or solve the problem, for example clothing allowance ( I still see soldiers around post with unserviceable uniforms giving me the impression they are not spending the money as intended). I believe the core of this problem is in the planning stages of what ever the mission intent is.

Maybe if we all did a AAR by COB on Fridays where a E-2 can mention that he did 11 trips to the motor pool on Tuesday and as leaders and future leaders we can identify all required items or tasks needed for said mission type we could create a checklist for each.

Just my 2 cents,

SPC Zatek

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 13 at 2013 7:53 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 19:53:02 -0500

Maybe we should let those Soldiers keep their receipts, track their work mileage and submit the appropriate vouchers for reimbursement. That seems reasonable. And I suspect that 99% of the Soldiers would get exactly what they get now.

Response by SFC Nicolzie Russell made Dec 14 at 2013 4:06 AM

SFC Nicolzie Russell — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 04:06:10 -0500

I say no for jr soldiers, most posts have a bus that travels around on post, all of their missions are primarily on their post. If this is the case, training time management and proper planning should come into play for them. Now when we began talking about soldiers that have to travel from post to post for missions daily or weekly yes but at that time we are speaking of more senior soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2013 12:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 12:43:01 -0500

I think this topic falls under personal responsibility. You have a legal responsibility to follow lawful orders and it's each Soldiers responsibility to be at their designated place of duty. As a leader it is your responsibility to ensure they make it there on time. It has been this way since since before the days of the $150 a month my dad made as a private, yet some how he managed. The problem isn't pay and benefits or reimbursement, it's taking responsibility to ensure you are where you need to be. Often times this issue becomes an excuse or a cop out for shirking ones responsibility. We have a duty to perform every day and as money gets tighter TMPs and Tactical vehicle use will be restricted due to budget for fuel, this doesn't preclude us from completing our mission, so in the words of my first CSM, " Suck it up and drive on, because Soldiers come and go but the Army drives on. You either drink the kook aid and get on board with the mission or you get out".

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 1:00 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:00:03 -0500

Due to working with civilians, we only allow one office flatulation per day (30 per month). None if they had hard boiled eggs that morning.

Oh, you mean gas for their POVs?

No.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 10:52 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:52:46 -0400

I wouldn't necessarily say to give all Soldiers an allowance, but rather a little bit of a COLA type adjustment. Here in Monterey, our gas prices are through the roof. I talk to family in SC that are paying much less. We are not entitled to COLA here, thus our money doesn't go nearly as far as in other areas where the cost of living is low. It would even be ok if all of the AAFES gas stations had unified prices a la Germany. The German partnership with ESSO and Aral (on the Autobahns) kept the price the same all over Germany and fluctuated with the market rates (at a discount). It is usually of no benefit to buy gas on post here, as it is often times the same or maybe a cent or cheaper than it is off post.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Feb 26 at 2018 2:23 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 14:23:21 -0500

I've had to do it in my time but I was lucky. Ft. Drum is a big post and almost every time we were sent out we had access to and were told to take an ambulance (we're Medic Platoon) or a soft top.
If time didn't permit then the few miles here and there wasn't a big difference. I was married at the time and lived off post. Which is right out the North gate and one could see the neighborhood. Many times that cut enough time off the day where we wouldn't have to work past final formation.
In my home state NG at the Depot, the motor pool was out behind the building. Weekends were so busy that we required doing things in such a rushed fashion.