Extra fuel rations available on case-by-case basis Published Sept. 9, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Ciara M. Travis 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of Team Ramstein who find themselves in a bind with their fuel rations may be allotted additional fuel rations with prior approval from their unit commander. Two types of fuel ration increases exist -- long-term and temporary. An example for the temporary extended fuel ration is to assist newcomer-sponsors, staff sergeant and above, with fuel assistance when supporting a new Airman and their family who have just arrived here. Army and Air Force Exchange Service acknowledged that when a person becomes a sponsor, they are volunteering much of their driving time, which means their fuel ration no longer becomes their own. One way to alleviate the need of extra fuel rations is for Airmen to look into pretesting for their U.S. Army Europe drivers' license before they arrive on station. This can be accomplished by contacting the base education center to determine if their current installation offers the USAREUR drivers test. "It is a huge relief to arrive overseas knowing you can drive the moment you arrive on base," said Staff Sgt. Jessica A. Ross, 86th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician. "I can see it helping with scheduling conflicts between sponsors and new Airmen and their families arriving." Nearly every installation offers the option to pretest, so contact your local base education center to find out more. Sponsors are not the only people eligible for the additional ration. Some members may be eligible for the permanent extra fuel ration if they are approved based on the commuting distance between their home and workplace. Those in need for extra fuel rations must complete the AE Form 600-17A and then submit the form to the Registry of Motor Vehicles office. "There is a link available with a wealth of information on the gas program, which is actually controlled by the Army," said Mr. Tom Gross, Kaiserslautern Military Community Exchange general manager. "Procedures for supplemental ration requests and approval authority are provided in Army Europe Regulation 600-17, available within the 'Regulations and Documents' tab on this Web site: http://www.aafes.com/germanyfuelcard/." Individuals looking to expedite the process may email the AE Form 600-17A directly to the RMV at rmvcustsvc@eur.army.mil. Also, those interested in checking their fuel authorization limit online can go to https://odin.aafes.com/ESSO/Default.aspx.