the u.s. military and all u.s. federal government vehicles are automatic transmission equipped for a reason. first, everybody who has a driver's license can operate them with ease compared to more skills to drive a m/t vehicle. the car rental companies only use a/t cars for the same reason and that they don't have to constantly replace the clutch. as long as the fluid and the level is correct, a/t cars last longer than the m/t cars