KEEP YOUR UNIT PHYSICALLY FIT
- Ensure that leaders at all levels recognize the benefits of physical fitness. Leaders
must be role models, leading by example.
Take a positive approach to physical fitness with service members. A physically fit
service member is less likely to be a combat loss from disease or injury.
NOTE
See FM 21-20 for more information.
PLAN FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE
- Provide shower/bathing facilities in the field. All personnel must bathe at least once
a week and have a clean change of clothing to reduce the health hazard associated
with body lice.
- Inspect service members’ personal equipment to ensure they have sufficient personal
hygiene supplies—soap, washcloths, towels, a toothbrush, dental floss, fluoride
toothpaste, and razor and razor blades (females should have sanitary napkins or
tampons).
- Ensure undergarments are cotton (not silk, nylon, or polyester).
- Ensure uniforms fit properly (not tight).
- Ensure service members have several pairs of issue boot socks; the number will
depend on the type and length of the mission.
- Use your FST to train your service members in personal hygiene.
- Ensure service members receive annual dental examinations and needed oral health
care. Make sure all oral health appointments are kept. Use low operational
requirement periods to ensure all personnel maintain a good oral health status.
ENFORCE SLEEP DISCIPLINE
- The mission, unit readiness, and individual security must come first, but never miss
a chance to give everyone in the unit time to sleep.
- When feasible, set work/rest shifts.
- Do not allow service members to sleep in areas where they may be run over by
vehicles, or in other unsafe areas.
- During continuous operations, set shifts and rotate jobs to allow everyone at least 3
to 4 hours uninterrupted sleep per 24-hour period.
- During brief (up to 48 hours) sustained operations when shifts are impossible, rotate
jobs so all individuals catnap as safely and comfortably as possible. The loss of
sleep will reduce the service member’s ability to perform his duties and the leader’s
ability to make decisions.
NOTE
Ensure that sleeping individuals observe safety precautions. Use ground
guides for vehicles in bivouac areas.
ENFORCE PREVENTIVE MEDICINE MEASURES FOR THE EFFECTS OF SLEEP LOSS
- Those individuals with the most complex mental or decision-making jobs need the
most sleep. This means you and your most critical leaders and operators!
- Cross train individuals to perform the critical tasks and delegate limited authority
among leaders, thus enabling all to get necessary rest.
ENSURE WELFARE, SAFETY, AND HEALTH OF UNIT
- Ensure the best and safest water, food, equipment, shelter, sanitation, and sleep
possible are provided.
- Educate service members to maintain professional pride and personal caring for
themselves, each other, and their equipment.
- Know the personal backgrounds and the military skills of your service members. Chat with them informally about themselves. Be attentive and understanding while
listening to service members.
- Utilize group support and counsel for service members with home front problems.
- Assign jobs to maintain a balance between having qualified people in key positions
while sharing the load, hardship, and risks fairly.
- Use challenging and difficult environments during training to increase your own and
the unit’s coping skills and confidence.
REDUCE UNCERTAINTY BY KEEPING EVERYONE INFORMED
- Brief unit personnel on the situation, objectives, and conditions that the mission or
environment may involve.
- Explain reasons for hardships, delays, and changes.
- Do not give false reassurances. Prepare your service members for the worst and put
any unexpected challenges or reversals in a positive perspective.
- Deal with rumors firmly and honestly. Prevent the spread of rumors.
- Make contingency plans and follow SOP to reduce the effects of surprise.
PROMOTE COHESION WITHIN THE UNIT
- Use equipment drills, physical fitness training, team sports, and field stress training
to stimulate mutual reliance and closeness.
- Bring unit members together for meals, award ceremonies, and other special occasions.
- Integrate new members by assigning sponsors and ensuring rapid familiarization.
IMPART UNIT PRIDE
- Educate service members in the history and tradition of the small unit, its parent
units, and the branch of Service.
- Honor the historical examples of initiative, endurance, and resilience, of overcoming
heavy odds, and of self-sacrifice.
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