For Pacific Road Warriors, 3 Decades of Accident-Free Driving Takes Skill, Dedication

Two motor vehicle operators have gone the distance for the Exchange, Warfighters and military families, becoming the first drivers in the Pacific Region to reach 35 years of accident-free service.

Ho Ton

Motor Vehicle Operator Ho Ton, stationed at the Korea Distribution Center at Camp Market, achieved 35 years of accident-free driving in June. Takashi Toyama, from the Okinawa Distribution Center, is on pace for 35 accident-free years in January.

The Logistics Directorate recently honored both drivers for their skill and dependability.

“These two are road warriors,” said Pacific Regional Fleet Manager Jonah Thomas said. “These drivers display a level of professionalism that their peers aspire to emulate.

"They always have the best interests of the Exchange and our military community in mind when they are behind the wheel.”

Achieving accident-free milestones takes skill, especially when navigating arduous roads overseas. And, their diligence allows the Exchange to fulfill its mission of taking care of Warfighters and families wherever they serve.

“Unquestionably their performance and stellar safety records exemplify what it truly means to be a professional motor vehicle operator,” Thomas said. “We are honored to have them on our team.”

Goal-oriented

Mr. Ho has been an associate for 37 years, starting as a bakery worker before becoming a bakery truck driver in 1984. He has logged 740,000 miles in his travels from Camp Market to U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Camp Casey, Osan Air Base, Camp Humphreys and Kunsan Air Base.

Retirement will have to wait, because Mr. Ho said his next goal is 40 years of accident-free driving.

“I absolutely love my job as a professional MVO driver at the Exchange,” Mr. Ho said. “Not only does it give me a great sense of pride, but it also gives me personal satisfaction knowing that my job is an essential part of fulfilling the Exchange mission of serving the men and woman of the U.S. military.”

Following the family plan

Takashi Toyama

For Toyama, who spent three months as a kitchen worker before becoming a motor vehicle operator, joining the Exchange made sense.

His father was an Air Force fuel handler, his mother worked at a commissary and a brother, Takao Toyama, is an Exchange driver at Camp Foster.

Traversing mostly narrow roads on a densely populated island of 1.5 million has never been an issue for Takashi Toyama, who has achieved 350,000 miles.

“I have gotten to know lots of the Exchange employees, and it’s always interesting to meet others,” said Toyama, who plans to drive four more years. “I’m happy and proud to help in a customer service support role.”