The whole idea of not allowing civilians to be grandfathered while overseas in regard to renewing their driver’s licenses ("The license labyrinth," April 26, Pacific editions) is a slap in the face for those of us who continue to serve our country by supporting U.S. servicemembers while overseas.

I recently had to spend nearly $2,000 for a round-trip ticket for the sole purpose of renewing my stateside license, something I couldn’t care less about if I was able to have kept my Japanese license. You see, if you are status-of-forces agreement-sponsored, you may not have a Japanese license, which is another Catch-22. Also, unlike our military brethren, I cannot fly space-available to the States or hop the "Freedom Bird," because I have no travel orders to Misawa Air Base, because I was hired while already in country. We must have a travel agreement in order to use Space-A.

Some of you military folks could be in a situation such as ours in the future. You can help by contacting your representatives and petitioning for this pathetic rule to be changed before you get out.

Jerry CarrollGonohe, Japan