Mondays
June 4th, 2007 by SGTHuckleberry
What does someone write about in their first post? I guess I could talk about myself. I'm stationed at Fort Polk, LA. I've been in the Army about 7 years. I'm a military policeman. I'm married, but no children. For privacy, I don't wish to use names of either me or my family. I love everything about the Army and serving my country. There is one thing that I don't like about the Army, though. Mondays.
In the Army, Monday has been set aside to maintain our vehicles. We call it Motor Pool Monday. We form up on a HOT, steamy, concrete pad near all our vehicles. After accountability is taken, we all head towards our trucks conduct PMCS (preventative maintenance checks and services). My job as a squad leader is to ensure that my Soldiers perform a thorough PMCS. I make sure they have their -10 manual, their tools, and their 5988E (maintenance forms). Each PMCS takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on the thorough job they do. No matter how early we finish, we're stuck in the motor pool until lunchtime.
Since 2003, our vehicles have gone through a lot. They're worn down and needy. I don't think a Monday has gone by in the last few years that I didn't have to take a vehicle into the bay to fix something major like a fan shroud or CV boot. There aren't enough mechanics so we end up doing a lot of hard work ourselves under the supervision of a mechanic who helps two or three operators.
I'm lucky that I have a good squad who is very aggressive about vehicle maintenance. Using my experience from Iraq, I think I've done a good job of convincing them of the importance of keeping their vehicles runnings. Our vehicles can be the life or death of us. The last thing we need is for a vehicle to break down in the middle of a firefight or in the kill zone. During our convoy to Kuwait at the end of our rotation we had to stop a bunch of times because people didn't do their PMCS. People got flat tires, broke ball joints, overheated, and other things. I think our squad was one of only a handful that didn't have ONE issue the whole time.
Anyway, I didn't know what to talk about so I wanted to talk about the monotony of motor pool Monday. There's never a good time for MPM. It's always too hot or too cold. Too dry or too rainy. There's just something about it that has to make it miserable. But I wouldn't give it up for the world. I hope I didn't bore you to death. I'll try to find more entertaining things to talk about next time.
Posted in Military Perspective
Not bored.
I love your little avatar there Sgt Huckleberry (Hound)!
Sounds like MPM is no fun no matter the weather. Sometimes the most necessary work is the most tedious.
I think your posts shows the character of our hard-working. Your dedication to safety is honorable and not boring.
post (singular) and hardworking military… too tired tonight
Welcome Sgt. Huckleberry! I too like your avatar…very cute! I'm glad that you guys do the Monday maintenance on your vehicles. Like you said, it could be life or death if your vehicle failed in a war zone. Keep up the good work, you guys rock!!
Unconscionable to have military equipment wear out and become unreliable. Legislators suck up pork money for peanut storage facilities (why?) while you who keep our nation as safe and secure as possible are relegated to waste valuable time and possibly your life because some libertine wanted your funding to fight against drilling for oil that would help ensure USA energy independence.
May "We the People" someday become worthy of your sacrifices.
Hi there Sgt Huckleberry!!! Your post wasn't boring at all. We love to hear what you all are doing every day. And, Monday sucks no matter where you are
Thank you for what you do everyday, even Monday!
Sharon M
I second Sharon in that Mondays are no fun, no matter what you do. Well, I take that back. If you are a Powerball winner and you just get up and hang out poolside, then maybe Mondays aren't so bad. But yeah, I can soooo understand your post.
btw, that gravatar had me in stitches!! hehe
Hey Sgt. H~Thanks for doing what you do!! (no, not boring at all) Welcome and look forward to hearing more!
awesome first post man…keep it up!
Welcome SGTHuckelberry and I agree with the consensus that your post wasn't boring at all. Thank You for doing what you do. I have to agree… Monday's do suck!
Thanks everyone for your welcome. I'm not able to check the comments until I get home from work because I don't have internet access during the day unless I go home for lunch. Then, I only have time to eat. It's nice to meet you all and I'm glad I didn't bore anyone.
Welcome Sgt Huckleberry!! LOVED Huckleberry Hound!! Anyway, just wanted to say hey and so glad you are part of the family here now!! It was a great post and we are a very appreciative audience so no worries! Thanks for sharing what goes into keeping our military running, as tedious as it must be for you. Thanks for all you do.
Not boring at all son, I'd trade you in a minute.
Just remember that you are loved and appreciated for your service to our country.
Have a Great Day!
Well done. However in the Navy, we did PMS every day, although my vehicle was a 637 class fast attack submarine. Like I said, well done and we are all proud of you and your squad for your diligence to keeping us safe. God bless.
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