I drove in gate 17 and was headed for Main Post. An MP was tailing me by the time I got to the stop sign next to the main extrance of Collier Field House. I made the right turn and headed toward the elementary school. Before I got to the traffic light, the MP had his flashers on - and I pulled over.

I know the speed limit there is 25 KPH. I was going a little over 25 (but less than 30). But I figured that must have been what it was.

So just what was that ticket for?? For not using my turn signal at the stop sign next to Collier Field House.

I told the MP that it's a right turn only lane. He said I was right - but it didn't make any difference - still have to turn on the turn signal - even if you're in a lane where you can only turn one way.

That is silly!

You should call the MPs and ask to see the driving regulation that says you MUST use your turn signal at all time. I would also reference the USFK driving manual. If it does not state "at all times" then you have a valid argument.

I beat a ticket at Osan. Parking at the base gym can be an adventure. One day I parked near the security forces building. I parked in an area that was not marked. In a row of 10 cars there were 3 spots that had a mobile "reserved parking" in front of them. After working out I got a ticket for parking in a reserved spot. I immediately walked into the SPs office and talked to the deputy commander. I showed him the spot I was in and there was no "reserved parking" sign by my spot.

He said, "well we don't have enough reserve parking signs. You should just know that it is reserved parking because it is in front of the SP building and there are signs to the right of you and to the left."

"Are you kidding?", I asked. "Why not place a sign in spot 10 and spot 1 and string some string or plastic and hand a sign?"

He looked at me with a blank stare.

I walked over to some spots that had a fixed reserved parking sign. I said, "Can I park here?"

He replied, "no."

I said, "why not?"

He replied, "Because it is marked reserved for the SP CC."

I walked him back to the parking spot I got the ticket. "Do you see a reserved parking spot in the spot I am parked?"

I then explained to him that the entire base has reserve parking spots and they are clearly marked. When you go to the BX or anywhere there are reserved spots clearly marked and that I don't have ESP to guess that his spot is reserved.

Needless to say, he took the ticket and ripped it up. He mouthed off a bit and said, "Don't park there again." and I replied, "mark your damn parking spots and I won't."

I beat the MAN!

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When I was stationed in the States, the base newspaper had a column titled "Ask the Commander." You could ask/complain about anything to the commanding general.

Someone wrote in and complained that there was too much reserved parking on base. It seemed like everyone right down the the assistant-to-the-assistant-supply-specialist had a reserved space.

The commanding general typically started off his answers by saying, "I checked with the commander of the hospital" or "I checked with the PMO."

Regarding the parking, he said he checked with the PMO and was told according to the regulation, there are four kinds of reserved parking spaces on a military base:

1. general officer
2. handicapped
3. military vehicle
4. ??? (can't remember this one... temporary parking or something like that)

He then went on to say, "I encourage all servicemembers to park anywhere they want, regardless of how the space is marked, as long as it doesn't fall into one of the above categories."

To say all hell broke loose is an understatement. Privates and Specialists were parking in the company commander's or 1SG's parking space - and there wasn't a damn thing the CPT or 1SG could do about it.

This was the funniest thing I ahve read all day.

Willy, that is one of the best kept secrets! I am curious what the reg number is.

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