Was it common to paint your name on your tool box when in the service?
Gerard
At company level, there were around 4 to 6 mechanics and a Motor Sergeant.
At Battalion level, there were around 12 mechanics, with specialist like a Welder, Sheet Metal Worker, etc. The individual boxes were issued to the mechanics, and their names were stenciled on them like:
SMITH, John D. SGT, A Co, 1/232 Inf.
The boxes were a source of pride for the mechanics, and some guys would paint and re stencil their box at the slightest sign of scratch. Many of them would throw out the useless items to lighten the weight of the box, putting those back in for the "showdown inspections" from the Commander or Property Book Officer (PBO).
The Motor Sergeant was issued a "SHOP Equipment, Organizational Maintenance, Common Number One." which is a complete shop and it fits on a TRUCK, 2-1/2 Ton, M35A2. The Common Number One is fully deployed with the unit when it goes to the field or overseas. At the motor pool, if a mechanic needs a tool not in his tool kit, he sees the Tech Supply (parts man) and gets it issued for that job.
The Motor Sergeant issues the mechanics a work order (DA Form 2404) on each job, and this is completed by both the mechanic and the assigned vehicle driver. If it is a flat tire, the driver fixes it at the motor pool with the use of the tire changers and tools for that use.
The motor pool undergoes an annual Command Motor Maintenance Inspection (CMMI) and it is a full "balls to the walls" inspection of the status of the unit's vehicles and equipment. This is four packs of cigarettes a day for all smokers, especially the Commander and his staff NCO's. Now of days the CMMI is called something else, and a lot of what I have told you has probably changed since the late 1990s.
This is about 10 times what you wanted to know, but I don't like leaving a half answered question. LOL
Best Regards
Herb
