DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Have you ever thought about taking your official Government Motor Vehicle through a fast food restaurant or home for lunch? Maybe you've wondered if the same rules for using GMVs also apply to a temporary duty rental car. Perhaps the idea of running a quick personal errand while you are driving around on official business has crossed your mind. Well, if you are unsure about these rules and others, the Air Force has guidance to assist you in making sound decisions.

Air Force Instruction 24-301 dictates that GMVs are to be used for official purposes only. Stated another way, only actions supporting the Air Force's mission are permitted for GMVs. Providing a GMV based solely on rank, position, prestige or member's personal convenience is not permitted.

What exactly is "official use?" Here are four basic questions you can ask when requesting to use or using a GMV:

· Is the purpose of the trip official business? (Yes)
· Does the trip have the potential to create a perception that will reflect unfavorably on the Air Force or cause public criticism? (No)
· Will the mission be negatively impacted? (No)
· Is commercial or DoD scheduled transportation available?" (No)

If these simple questions can be answered correctly, then your requests is legitimate. Vehicle Operations uses the same list of questions to determine whether or not a request is valid and legal. Vehicle Operations has the authority to deny a request if the request is not valid.

Listed here are the top examples of unauthorized GMV use. Note this list is not all-inclusive:

Using GMVs specifically to eat at the dining facility or other on- or off-base dining establishments - Only units identified on a letter signed by the Wing Commander and personnel on TDY status are authorized to use GMVs to attend dining establishments. Personnel on this letter include emergency response units, like the Security Forces, who are required to perform their duties directly from a GMV. When the dining facility is closed, these units are authorized to use AAFES-operated facilities i.e., the Commissary, BX, and Shoppette.

Use of GMV transportation for squadron events such as holiday or other squadron parties or picnics - Other events not authorized for GMV transportation include Fini Flights, Top Three, Company Grade Office Council, First Six, Booster Club or other fundraising organizations. Essentially, any activity on or off base, not considered official prohibits the use of GMV transportation. 

Using GMVs to attend unit or installation sponsored or mandatory physical fitness sessions - Physical fitness activities are to remain an individual responsibility, so using GMVs for it is not authorized. However, it should be noted that using GMVs to support Air Force Fitness Program testing is authorized, since Physical Fitness tests are considered an official Air Force event.

Use of GMVs to transport personnel to/from place of residence otherwise known as "domicile to duty" - Examples of "domicile to duty" transportation would include personnel living on base and using GMVs to run home to eat or run personal errands. Any "domicile to duty" requests must be approved directly by the Secretary of the Air Force, as dictated by AFI 24-301 and 31 United States Code, Subsection 1344. Only the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff are implicitly authorized to be transported to and from work.

Permanent party personnel utilizing GMVs to frequent local eating establishments off base to include bars - Personnel on TDY status are authorized use of GMVs to attend local eating establishments as long as the establishment's primary purpose is to serve food and not alcohol. Permanent party personnel are not authorized to "catch a ride" in that GMV.

If misuse is suspected, an investigation is conducted to determine whether or not misuse was indeed committed. Technical assessments produced by the investigation include the operator's rank, name, date, time and location of the incident in question. The investigation results are ultimately handled at the squadron commander level. That is, the squadron commander of the unit being investigated will be in contact with the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander regarding the investigation. Substantiated misuse cases will be kept on file for six years. Technical assessment information will be kept on file for the same period of time.

Military penalties for misuse of Government Motor Vehicles can include formal disciplinary action and adverse administrative action under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, "failure to obey order or regulation." Civilian penalties can include "Suspension from duty by the Secretary of the Air Force without pay, for not less than one month, suspension or removal." (AFI 24-301, 3.3.2)

The intent of AFI 24-301 is to emphasize that GMVs are only to be used in an official capacity. Our nation relies on D-M's aircraft as indispensible assets, protecting our national interests abroad. D-M's support functions heavily utilize vehicles to ultimately allow the aircraft to perform their missions. Failure to follow the Air Force guidance for authorized use of GMVs is ultimately misuse of government property and can degrade our mission effectiveness not to mention the heavy penalties for GMV misuse.

Our GMVs directly support our base's important missions and must be preserved. We must ensure GMVs are not used for events of a personal nature but instead used only for official business. We're all in this together, one team, one fight!