THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020415
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Uncle Sam has called them to drive tanks, planes and ships in the past. But never in modern times has he called upon the military to muster a task force of bus drivers for the Olympics.
Yet, in the name of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Pentagon has approved a plan to use 1,058 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to drive the international athletes to and from their sporting events this summer.
About 250 of the volunteers are from Hampton Roads Navy commands, where the first group of 25 began a six-day driving course this week that will qualify them for up to two months of duty in Atlanta. One hundred more are soldiers coming from Fort Eustis in Newport News.
The drivers are required to have commercial driver's licenses, issued by the state in which they train.
The rationale for using military personnel as bus drivers is part of the overall security plan for the Olympic Games, said Army Warrant Officer Mike Allen, a spokesman for the Joint Task Force Olympics at Fort McPherson, Ga.
``The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games requested military drivers to enhance their overall security plan,'' Allen said. ``This activity falls within the policy guidance from Congress to provide logistical and personnel support for the 1996 Olympic Games.''
Congress has appropriated $15 million to the Defense Department for military support at the games, officials said. The funds are to support the feeding and housing of the bus drivers, plus military bands, honor guards and other armed forces personnel.
The Georgia National Guard is to provide the bulk of the military's security to the Olympics since its personnel can enforce state laws. Federal troops are prohibited by law from arresting U.S. civilians.
The actual cost of training the bus drivers has been budgeted at $500 per driver for the Navy (250 drivers), Air Force (250 drivers) and Marines (100 drivers). The Army, which is training 458 drivers, plans to absorb the actual training costs. An additional $100 per driver has been budgeted to allow them to obtain the commercial licenses.
For the Navy men and women in Norfolk who began training this week, the opportunity is incredible, said Skip Bazinet, the head instructor with the Navy Public Works Center.
``They are very enthusiastic and very good,'' he said. ``The first class was on Monday and they had to take three (Division of Motor Vehicle) tests on Tuesday. All 100 percent passed.''
The sailors were practicing with 34-passenger Navy buses at the Norfolk Naval Air Station on Wednesday, learning about air brakes, tight corners and wide turns.
But the chance to get to the Olympic Games this summer excited them the most.
``I volunteered for it the first day,'' said Petty Officer 2nd Class Maurice Lockett, 22, who works at the Navy Reserve Cargo Handling Training Battalion in Williamsburg.
For Lockett and two others in his command who are in training, it means they have to be ready at 4:30 a.m. to make the trip to Norfolk in time for the first class, which begins at 6:30.
``I didn't think I'd ever see the Olympics,'' said Lockett. ``It's too expensive. I hope to sneak into some of the events.''
Petty Officer 3rd Class Larry Burkhead, 23, a mess management specialist on the submarine tender L.Y. Spear, hopes to be assigned to the U.S. wrestling team's bus. A former high school friend made the Olympic team and he'd like to drive him around. ``I'm excited. I really am,'' said Burkhead.
Keith Demps, a third class petty officer also assigned in Williamsburg, said it is the thought of seeing track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee that keeps him motivated. ``I really want to meet her,'' he said.
Amie Penneau, 23, who drives a crash truck on the flight deck of the carrier John C. Stennis, hopes she'll be assigned to the U.S. soccer team's bus.
``I've never experienced the Olympics,'' she said. ``This is a chance to represent my command too. I can't wait.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot
While Operations Specialist 3rd Class Reginald Merzier studies,
other sailors see if a cone was hit. Twenty-five sailors began
training at the Norfolk Naval Air Station this week to drive buses
at the Olympic Games.
by CNB