Fort Buchanan’s Master Driver Program

Photo By Jason Treffry | U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to various units conduct driving lanes during the Master Drivers Training Course at the Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) in Vilseck, Germany, March 5, 2024. The three-week long course, also known as the Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) M9 course, is a course designed to teach motor transport operators, (88Ms), to train unit master drivers to manage a brigade or battalion's driver's training program following the Army's safety program. CATC offers individual training and professional education for U.S. Army Soldiers, Department of the Army and host nation civilians, and multinational partners through the most efficient and effective means available to ensure readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Jason Treffry)  

PUERTO RICO

01.17.2025

Story by Carlos Cuebas and David Hernandez

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan

FORT BUCHANAN, PUERTO RICO—With employees and service members driving hundreds of official and military vehicles around the installation, it is imperative that all assigned personnel observe safety precautions. That is where Fort Buchanan's Master Driver Program (MDP) comes into play.

The MDP overwatches the directorates’ driver training and licensing processes according to Army Regulation 600-55 to mitigate and minimize accidents.

"The MDP makes employees more conscious of vehicle operation risks and the possible consequences of non-compliance," expressed Alejandro Fonseca Rodriguez, the installation master driver.

Carlos J. Alvarado, Fort Buchanan safety office, collaborates with the MDP implementation.

"Empowering master drivers with comprehensive safety training is not only a moral imperative, but a professional necessity, as it equips them with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves, their passengers, and other road users, ultimately creating a safer and more responsible driving culture," said Alvarado.

During the training, operators learn essential details about their vehicle's technical manual. The course's last step includes a road test, with scenarios where operators must prove their competencies to drive the assigned vehicle.

The installation's MDP is an example of how the Army helps create a sense of purpose through personal growth and professional development – empowering soldiers and civilian employees to serve something greater than themselves and be all they can be, in a safe way.

"Employees have leveraged the MDP training to advance their careers. In my over 20 years of service, I have not seen any accident involving civilian employees driving government vehicles of Directorate of Public Works at Fort Buchanan," said Juan Gonzalez Rosa, MDP instructor.

For more information regarding Fort Buchanan's Master Driver Program, contact Alejandro Fonseca Rodriguez at [e-mail] or [phone].

With an annual investment in the local economy of over $500 million, Fort Buchanan serves a diverse military community of approximately 15,000 active-duty Reserve, National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and Navy Reserve personnel. Fort Buchanan's mission is to serve as a readiness enhancement platform and facilitate the deployment of military personnel to any place at any time.

• Date Taken: 01.17.2025
• Date Posted: 01.17.2025 15:03
• Story ID: 489295
• Location: PR