Slide 60 of 61
Title: Sustaining Soldiers and Their Systems (Quality of Life)
Dialogue: Ensuring quality of life is a command responsibility. Quality of life and family considerations effect every soldierís readiness and willingness to fight. The soldier who fights best is the one who is reassured that his loved ones are adequately cared for at home station. The following are just a few of the functions of quality of life that enhance soldier readiness in MLRS units:
Postal Services: A postal element, assigned by the corps DS postal company, receives and separates mail by battalion and then turns it over to the brigade S-1. The battalion mail clerk receives and sorts the mail by task organization. He distributes/delivers it to the certified unit mail handler.
Personal Demand Items (Class VI): Class VI supplies consist mainly of Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) items. Examples are toilet articles, tobacco and confections. The Class VI system becomes operational when the exchange system becomes non operational. The request for Class VI supplies is submitted with the request for Class I. Class VI supplies are picked up with Class I resupply.
Command Information: Maintaining ties with home is essential to sustaining the morale of our soldiers. Unit commanders should consider publishing and distributing newsletters to keep families in touch with the activities of the deployed soldiers as well as arranging for local newspapers to be delivered for circulation within the unit.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation: Soldiers require the opportunity to relax and maintain an adequate level of physical fitness. Without these opportunities, the mental toughness and endurance required to fight may be degraded. Commanders can address these needs through actions like deploying with sports equipment or coordinating for library material, etc.
Chaplain Activities: Chaplain activities are provided by the unit ministry team (one chaplain and one chaplainís assistant). The team is dedicated to serving the spiritual needs of soldiers. The activities of the chaplain are coordinated through the S-1. These activities include: Providing worship opportunities; counseling and ministering to those suffering from battle fatigue and visiting soldiers in nearby hospitals.