Give it time!

To do a good, thorough PMCS takes time. In the case of something like a tank, helicopter or missile system, PMCS takes lots of time, as in hours.

Time is in short supply in most units. There's often too much work for too few people. And sometimes operators and mechanics aren't given enough time to give their equipment the attention it needs and deserves. They rush through PMCS in order to finish it in the time they've been given. That out-of-the-way grease fitting is overlooked or the hard-to-reach hose is not checked for cracks.

In some ways, a rushed PMCS can be worse than no PMCS. At least with no PMCS, you know your equipment is not ready. A rushed PMCS can give you false confidence in your equipment. You hit the road thinking you're ready for action when disaster is just over the horizon because of poor maintenance.

So give PMCS the time it deserves. How much time? Sometimes it's hard to tell. The TMs don't usually spell out time requirements. The easiest way to figure the time needed is to have an experienced soldier do a thorough PMCS and time him. Then make sure at least that amount of time is allowed for PMCS. Just give it time, commanders and senior NCOs, time enough to do a good PMCS.