Operator training?

From: Bjorn Brandstedt (super_deuce@hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Feb 14 2004 - 10:37:00 PST


About operator training.
Back in the late sixties when I received my military driver's license, the
training consisted of a short trip around the base. The "instructor" let us
accelerate, shift into second gear take a couple of turns then come to a
stop. Each one of us that completed those tasks with reasonable skill was
said to have passed the driving qualifications tests for the deuce and
anything smaller and we got our licence. I spent a lot of time in the back
of these trucks wondering what the driver's training had been or if it was
an OJT type of thing.

The first time I ever really drove a deuce was when I took delivery of the
M49A2C and drove it the 350 miles or so from Camp Lejeune, NC to my home in
Virginia. How safe was that? Speed is very important. At speeds below 45
mph, the vehicle feels well under control. Above 45 mph, it seems like the
vehicle is gradually taking away some of that control and manuevering
through single lane construction areas at night at the speed of the traffic
becomes scary when you know that there is not much you can do if a quick
stop or turn is called for. It's like being on a Disney World ride where
someone else is in control, but I kept going assuming that nothing would
happen that would require any of those things. Slowing down would have
stacked traffic for a mile. Maybe I shouldn't worry so much about slowing
other drivers...

Practice defensive driving to the nth degree. You must know where everybody
else is and you have to let them know where you are. Well, you know all
this, lights, brakes, mirrors etc.

The first time I slid down a small hill on snow (w/o chains), I felt
hoplessly powerless. The truck starts to go sideways, I pump the brakes and
get it back under control. That moment, when the truck goes its own way is
very scary. The best way to train for this is to actually let it happen.
Once you know that you CAN get back in control, it feels OK to slide a
little, BUT the first time may be the last for many if it happens when we
are not alone.

I just sold a driver's manual on ebay, FM 21-305 "Manual for the wheeled
vehicle driver". It was a week-long auction and it ended with one single
bid. Not very popular, but it should be, unless everybody already has one,
of course...

Question: Is it the CTIS or the single 1100x20 radials that is a safety
hazard (-A3 trucks) or is it in fact the operator?

Have a great day!
Bjorn
Meadows of Dan, Virginia

>From: "Ron" <rojoha@comcast.net>
>To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
>Subject: Re: [MV] Roll bar on 5 ton and deuces? Anyone know of a mil one?
>Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 11:09:44 -0500
>
>FWIW.....
> Several years ago while surfing I came across a series of TARCOM
>reports

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