| If you want to achieve a high level of operational | | | | mission critical piece of equipment. An example of a |
| readiness in your unit, you should consider following | | | | pacing item is a M1 Abrams tank, an M2 Bradley or a |
| the steps outlined below. | | | | military ambulance. |
| Be Prepared - Prior to conducting maintenance | | | | Be Involved - This is one of the most important |
| operations, formulate a game-plan. Set a clear start | | | | things you can do. During motor stables, put on your |
| time and finish time for your motor stables. No | | | | coveralls, roll-up your sleeves and get involved. Don't |
| matter what, schedule motor stables into your | | | | make the common mistake of just sitting in your |
| training schedule. In addition, make sure you have | | | | office. Get out there with the troops. Spend 20-30 |
| spare parts and plenty of technical manuals and tools | | | | minutes with each of your troops. PMCS a vehicle |
| to conduct unit maintenance. | | | | with them. |
| Have a Master List of all Unit Equipment - Keep a | | | | Spot Check - You must spot check your NCOs and |
| copy of the property book with you at all times. If | | | | Soldiers. If you don't, your Soldiers won't take you as |
| possible, have this information transcribed onto a | | | | seriously. At the end of motor stables review the |
| large bulletin board. Keep an updated copy with you | | | | 5988E forms. Also, pick one random piece of |
| so you can track the status of your equipment at all | | | | equipment and PMCS it yourself. Use the TM and see |
| times. | | | | if the Soldier missed anything. |
| Establish Standards - Make sure your Soldiers conduct | | | | Eliminate Distractions - During Motor Stables, do your |
| PMCS in accordance with the equipment's Technical | | | | best to eliminate distractions. In other words, don't |
| Manual. Additionally, establish a uniform standard, a | | | | schedule additional requirements during maintenance |
| start-time; end-time and what must be accomplished | | | | operations. If possible, have all of your Soldiers |
| during motor stables. | | | | present and conducting maintenance operations. |
| Establish Priorities - You must establish maintenance | | | | Create a Friendly Competition - Everyone loves a |
| priorities. You must identify which tasks should be | | | | friendly competition. Find creative ways to make |
| done first. You must identify which pieces of | | | | motor stables fun. |
| equipment are mission critical too. More importantly, | | | | By following any of the steps list above, you can |
| you should begin with your most important | | | | improve your unit maintenance program drastically. |
| equipment, your pacing items. A pacing item is a | | | | |