U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, shown here speaking to troops Feb. 20, 2019, in Thailand, has loosened driving restrictions for III MEF Marines and sailors in Japan. (MARY CALKIN/U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, shown here speaking to troops Feb. 20, 2019, in Thailand, has loosened driving restrictions for III MEF Marines and sailors in Japan. (MARY CALKIN/U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD)

Top Marine in Japan relaxes driving restrictions for young Marines, sailors

by Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
March 9, 2019

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The top U.S. Marine in Japan has lifted driving restrictions for young Marines and sailors attached to the III Marine Expeditionary Force just three months after giving them an extra hour of off-base liberty.

Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, III Marine Expeditionary Force commander, signed the policy Feb. 26 and announced it to the fleet in a video message March 1.

Although individual commanders can continue to impose the driving restriction, Smith’s announcement is certain to mean more young Marines in Japan behind the wheel.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/1.571826

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