SDDC commander takes vehicle shipment concerns to heart

KAPAUN AIR STATION, Germany -- The commanding general of Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command seized the opportunity to visit the Kaiserslautern Vehicle Processing Center at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, while in country visiting one of her subordinate units Aug. 5 -- 7.

The Global Privately Owned Vehicle Contract III is responsible for shipping and receiving service members' privately owned vehicles using 35 VPCs worldwide.

Maj. Gen. Susan A. Davidson, commander, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, met with contracting officer's representatives, or COR, at the Kaiserslautern VPC.

She wanted to observe first-hand how the process was being implemented by the new contractor.

Davidson also wanted to understand firsthand from the Solders, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Department of Defense civilian employees what worked well and what we could do better with the GPC III.

Some of the concerns that she addressed with the CORs were customer comments on vehicle shipping times from one VPC to another and complaints regarding the lack of visibility to track vehicle shipments.

"We take each customer's comments seriously and thank service members and their families for their patience as we work through challenges," Davidson said. "We also appreciate the many positive comments we have received from our customers." she said.

To ensure customers receive the best service possible, Davidson suggested, based on the terms of the contract, to forward customer-provided feedback from the shipping location to the final shipping destination. She also wanted to ensure that the receiving destinations were aware that a customer's vehicle was en route and prepare for the delivery and pickup by the customer.

"My goal," Davidson said, "is to ensure that the GPC III fulfills not only the Department of Defense's need in shipping privately owned vehicles but also to meet the customer's expectations that their car reaches the destination promised on time and in the same condition that it was shipped."