LESSON 5

DIRECT UNIT MAINTENANCE WITHIN THE ARMY MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TAMMS) ON ASSIGNED EQUIPMENT

All Army equipment must be maintained in a state of readiness at all times. In order to verify the condition of the equipment certain procedures must be followed and specific forms completed.

This lesson covers the procedures for directing the PMCS and verification of DA Form 2404 (Maintenance Request) information.

Terminal Learning Objective:

INTRODUCTION

The Army must remain in a state of readiness at all times. It is imperative that all equipment be maintained and that records indicating conditions which render any piece of equipment not mission-ready be maintained and updated in a consistent manner at all bases. This lesson provides the background and procedures to accomplish this task.

PART A - TECHNICAL MANUALS (TM)

The most important task associated with the proper performance of operator/crew-level preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) is mastering the proper use of the operators TM. Once an understanding of how to use the TM as a guide through the PMCS task is acquired, a PMCS on any piece of Army equipment can be accomplished with minimal additional training. All TM (-10s) are broken down into the following sections:

• Table of contents
• Cautions and warnings
• The chapter containing the PMCS table
• The Basic Issue Items List
• The chapter containing maintenance instructions.

The PMCS table lists the services that are to be performed by the operator or crew. They are performed within the interval shown and in numerical sequence within each interval as indicated by item number. The PMCS tables are broken into the following sections:

• Item/sequence numbers column
• Intervals
• Not ready if/not mission capable column
• Item to be inspected/checked column

All Army vehicles, and most other equipment that requires operator-level maintenance have a -10 TM organized in a similar manner. Operators/crews perform different types of checks and services at different intervals for different reasons as described below:

• Before-Operation PMCS -These are checks performed by the operator/crew per the -10 TM PMCS. The tables identify faults which prevent the performance of the mission and must be corrected prior to the start of the mission. All other faults are corrected or (if above operator/crew authorization to correct) reported during or after the mission.
• During-Operation PMCS - These are checks performed by the operator/crew per the -10 TM PMCS tables. These tables monitor and identify faults in equipment performance during the mission. Faults which render the equipment not-mission-capable (NMC) require immediate correction. All other faults are corrected or (if above operator/crew authorization to correct) reported during or after the mission.
• After-Operation PMCS - These are checks and services performed per the -10 TM PMCS tables. The tables immediately at the conclusion of the mission are used to identify and correct faults which will prevent the next mission and to maintain the equipment to -10/20 standards. Faults which render the equipment NMC must be corrected prior to the start of the next mission. All other faults are corrected or (if above operator/crew level authorization to correct) reported to unit maintenance before the next mission.
• Periodic Operator/Crew PMCS - Checks and services performed by the operator/crew per the -10 TM PMCS tables Items-To-Be-Checked column to identify faults which must be corrected to maintain equipment to the -10/20 TM standards. Faults requiring correction beyond operator/crew level will be reported to unit level maintenance for correction.
• The LO (lubricating order) - This is where you find the locations for, type of, and capacity of POL products for the equipment.

The purpose of the various checks and services is to identify equipment faults (things that are wrong with the equipment), and service some points that require frequent attention. There are two types of equipment defects that are identified during PMCS periods:

• Fault - A fault is a defect in a piece of equipment that does not prevent the operation of the equipment, but must be corrected as soon as possible. The "/" status symbol is entered on DA Form 2404 to indicate a fault exists.
• Deficiency - A deficiency is a fault in a piece of equipment so severe that it causes the equipment to be not mission capable (NMC). The "X" status symbol is entered in the status column on DA Form 2404 to indicate a deficiency.

As the PMCS is being performed, the "Item To Be Checked/Inspected" column of the PMCS table tells what to check and how to check to see if there is an equipment fault or deficiency. If a fault or deficiency is identified, it must be determined if it can be corrected at the operator/crew level or if it will have to be entered on DA Form 2404 for unit level mechanics to correct. If it is beyond the capability of the operator/crew to correct, then you must find out if the fault has been previously identified and reported to unit maintenance personnel.

If the fault has been previously identified, it should be entered on the equipment's Uncorrected Fault Record (DA Form 2408-14). This form lists all faults on the equipment and tells why the necessary corrective action has been delayed. A copy of the equipment's DA Form 2408-14 should be in the equipment record folder whenever PMCS are performed so the previously reported faults are not entered again. If a new fault has been identified while checking DA Form 2408-14, enter the sequence number of the check being made when the fault was found and a description of the fault. Then look to the Not Ready/Available If column of the PMCS table to determine if the fault identified fits the description of a deficiency. The last step in the recording process is to circle the PMCS item number and enter the status symbol "X" which tells unit level mechanics that the equipment is not mission capable. There are four categories of maintenance that you should be familiar with:

• O/C - operator or crew maintenance (check and tighten or replace screws).
• F - direct support maintenance (replace and adjust).
• H - general support maintenance (rebuilt).
• D - depot maintenance (renovates and sends equipment back to supply systems)

PART B - THE EQUIPMENT RECORD FOLDER

The Equipment Record Folder holds the forms needed to keep up with equipment use, operation, and condition while on dispatch. It is used each time an item of equipment goes on dispatch. Descriptions of the items it contains are as follows:

• DD 314 (The Equipment Identification Card) - Ties a particular Equipment Record Folder to an item of equipment. An Equipment Identification Card goes in the outside front pocket of each Equipment Record Folder. Information on the card is used to identify the equipment covered, keep track of services due, and identify the assigned operator and leader. The dispatcher and operator make the card locally, use the card to keep up with services, and make sure the right folder is issued. The dispatcher and whoever keeps the DD Form 314 update the information on the card after each scheduled service. It is extremely important that you keep information on the Equipment Identification Card current. The Equipment Identification Card is thrown away when it is no longer needed or no longer readable. Replace forms when they are no longer readable.
• DD Form 1970 (Motor Equipment Utilization Record) - Used to record motor equipment use in order to control the use of special purpose, combat, tactical and nontactical vehicles and equipment, including material handling equipment. This form also keeps the running time on equipment that requires services by hours only. This includes such equipment as generators, air compressors, and centrifugal pumps. Running time is the period of operation. Forms keeping running time only will be used until the destination section is filled. This form is used for varying periods depending on its use. For regular dispatches this form is used until all the spaces in either the operator or destination section have been filled. For extended dispatches, this form is used until all the spaces in the operator or destination section have been filled. DA Form 5987-E (Motor Equipment Dispatch (EGA), when generated by ULLS, replaces the requirement for a DD Form 1970.

The dispatcher fills out the following spaces:

• Date (day, month, year).
• Type of equipment.
• Registration or serial number.
• Administration number.
• Organization name (user).
• Operator name.
• Time out, miles, hours.
• Person to whom the operator reports.
• Dispatcher's signature.

The operator fills in the following:

• Operator's signature.
• Time in, miles, hours.
• Total time equipment was used, total miles, hours.
• Destination section.
• Fuel, oil added.
• Remarks.

The person named in the "Report To" section of the form signs the form in the "Released By" section. The operator returns the completed form to the dispatcher.

• DA Form 2404 (Maintenance Request) - Used to report battlefield damage, repair, and/or replacement actions by unit level maintenance. It is also used by anyone performing inspections, maintenance services, diagnostic checks, technical evaluation, and PMCS. Operators use this form to list faults they cannot fix; it is also used as a temporary record of required and completed maintenance. DA Form 5988-E, when generated by ULLS, replaces the requirement for a DA Form 2404.

Status Symbol entries on DA Form 2404 are made as follows:

• X indicates a deficiency in the equipment that places it in an inoperable status.
• CIRCLED "X": indicates a deficiency; however, the equipment may be operated under specific limitations as directed by higher authority as prescribed locally until correction action can be accomplished.
• HORIZONTAL DASH "-": indicates that a required inspection, component replacement, maintenance operation check, or test flight is due but has not been accomplished, or an overdue Modification Work Order (MWO) has not been accomplished.
• DIAGONAL "/": indicates a material defect other than a deficiency that must be corrected to increase efficiency or to make the item completely serviceable.
• LAST NAME INITIAL IN BLACK OR BLUE-BLACK INK, OR PENCIL: indicates that a completely satisfactory condition exists.
• FOR AIRCRAFT: status symbols are recorded in red.

Status symbols can be changed at the discretion of the commander or the maintenance/motor officer. When the commander or the maintenance/motor officer disagrees with an assigned status symbol, he/she takes the following actions:

• In column d, write "status symbol changed."
• On the next open line, enter the new status symbol and fault.
• Sign in block 9a and initial column e.

The commander or the maintenance/motor officer are the only persons who can CIRCLE X or change status symbols. Other entries on DA Form 2404 are made as follows:

• Block 1: unit to which equipment belongs.
• Block 2: name and model of equipment.
• Block 3: serial number or registration number of equipment.
• Block 6: type of PMCS performed (daily, weekly, etc.).
• Block 7: TM number, TM date (if manual has changes, print latest change number after TM number).
• Blocks 4, 5, 8a, and columns a, b, and d: Left blank until the deficiency or fault is found. When the deficiency or fault is corrected or downgraded to a CIRCLE X, entries will be made in blocks 4 and 5 at the end of the dispatch or operation.
• Block 4a and 4b: miles, hours. Enter the applicable meter reading as of the date in block 5.
• Block 5: current calendar date.
• Column a: TM item number. If TM has no number for deficiency or fault, enter page, paragraph, or sequence number. Faults not covered by the PMCS, leave blank.
• Column b: status symbol that applies.
• Column c: deficiencies or shortcomings. Briefly describe the fault. Continue inspection to make sure no other faults exist.
• Column d: list corrective action taken.

After the PMCS is completed and all faults that cannot fixed by the operator are listed, the form is turned over to the maintenance supervisor.

Practice Exercise