Automobile Policy

3/c Tom KaneC2C Josh Auerbach3/c Joe Palmquist

Problem

• Cadet’s do not have enough personal responsibility– Cadet’s make very few personal decisions– Breeds culture of personal irresponsibility that will

harm careers of JO’s– It is unreasonable to expect JO’s to assume great

responsibility after having 4 years with little responsibility

Solution

• Revise car policy to give all cadets more personal responsibility.– Allow 3/c and 4/c to borrow cars from anyone

with proper permission– Allow 2/c to own and operate cars within the New

London area – Allow any cadet to drive on base

Allow 3/c and 4/c to borrow cars from anyone with proper permission

• Allows 3/c and 4/c to assume responsibility of superior’s property– As JO we are responsible for the CO’s cutter,

taxpayers’ property– Forces underclassmen to interact and learn from

upper class– Allows upperclassmen to place trust in

subordinates like they will have to on the bridge of a cutter

• Automobile Chit– Simple written agreement between the borrower

and the lender of the car– States the rules and expectations for borrowing

another cadets car– This will alleviate insurance concerns– Needs only to be signed by the upper-class lending

the car and the borrower

Allow 2/c to own and operate cars within the New London area

• During exchange cadet briefing, LCDR Amon told the exchange cadets that the reason 2/C are not allowed cars is due to parking.– Allow 2/c to own cars in the New London area

would allow for more responsibility early, but not congested parking on base.

– Cars must be parked off base, will require cadets to think outside the box and solve problems, a skill important to JOs

– 2/C cadets will have an extra year to have responsibility over themselves and property.

– 2/C cadets will have to learn to properly manage time and money

– There are parking garages in New London on the Libo Bus route and sponsor families can provide parking. It is up to the Cadet’s to utilize these resources.

Allow any cadet to drive on base

• With the above changes, it is necessary to allow cadets to drive on base.– Cadets will learn to follow traffic laws on base.

Benefits to New London area and Academy

• Cadets will have increased visibility in the area from having more opportunity to leave the CGA.

• Cadets will be able to help the local economy since they will have more opportunity to spend money in the local area.

• USCGA will be able to save money on LIBO vans.• Moral will be greatly improved.• Designated Drivers

Solutions to potential Issues

• Command may see too much personal responsibility as potential hazard.– Cadets better off learning now, with fewer

consequences and more opportunity to learn from mistakes. Liberty will still expire at same time

• Long time tradition.– Just because it is the way something has always

been doesn’t mean it is the best way. Firsties have expressed no issues.

Punishments for Violation

• 3/C and 4/C who own unauthorized cars in the area.– Will lose driving privileges.

• 3/C and 4/C who borrow without permission– Will lose driving privileges. Possible judicial action

• 2/C who park on base– Will lose driving privileges

Overall

• Changing car policy will allow for more personal responsibility that will carry over into better officers.

• It works at the other service Academies, it can work here

• We know that change takes time. Start small. For example, start by giving 2/c driving privileges and go from there.