Duties for S1 Section/Charge of Quarters

The Army -- "Be all that you can be."  That's the SALES Department talking.  Below, we get a first-hand look at what the SERVICE department actually delivers.  For some, working as an office clerk was a choice made when one enlisted as part of a military career, perhaps in Office Management.  For the rest of us these Rear jobs offered an opportunity to leave the field, and the constant risk of injury or death, to serve the remainder of our tours in relative safety behind a desk.  But in the field we were free from the usual military hassles - no saluting officers, few work details other than our patrols, and few formalities.  So the tradeoff also meant giving up the carefree freedom of life at a fire support base for the structured and very disciplined life of a military bureaucracy.

SUBJECT: Additional Duties for S1 Section/Charge of Quarters

All S-1 Personnel

1. Overnight: Charge of Quarters

   a. Sweep all offices before 0700 hours the next morning.

   b. ALL CORRESPONDENCE waste will be burned - not disposed at the trash barrels.

   c. Empty the burning trash barrel when it is half full.

   d. Classified waste will be burned each evening or morning.

   e. In case of "RED" Alert, call switchboard operator - give him instructions to alert MAJ Chudrue, CPT Baron, and all company supply rooms, HHC Orderly Room, and EM club if it is open.

   f. In case of "RED" Alert, instruct duty driver to run over to the EM club, if open, A Company supply room, and HHC Orderly Room to alert them of "RED" Alert; Duty Driver will return to Battalion Headquarters and await further instructions.

   g. Clean off MAJ Chaudrue's desk at night or morning after sweeping floor.

   h. Sweep front and back sidewalks if needed.

   i. Clean off glass and shelves of regulation and awards cabinet.

   j. Dust off top of cabinets, table (not desks) and shelves.

   k. Clear all cob webs on walls, ceiling, and screens.

   l. Maintain Daily Staff Journal (DA Form 1594).

   j. Inform CPT Baron of any serious incident or major enemy contact.

2. Lunch: Charge of Quarters

   a. Sweep floor.

   b. Burn correspondence trash when someone else is in office.

3. Daily: All personnel

   a. Clean off desk three times daily, i.e., morning, noon and evening.

   b. Clean typewriter once daily - morning.

4. Battalion Mail Clerk:

   a. Sweep mail room floor once daily - evening.

   b. Paper and mail will always be organized and assembled.

   c. Area free of unnecessary debris.

5. Battalion Headquarters Driver:

   a. Insure S1 jeep is dispatched every 24 hours.  If it is not, dispatch it.

   b. Drivers will abide by driving regulations at all times.  Lock   vehicle at all times when not driving.

6. These instructions will be performed in order to accomplish a steady flow of work-load and maintain harmony among personnel working in Battalion Headquarters.  A constant reminder to perform these duties will result in disfavorable reports to the HHC Commandant.  You are the only persons who can make this system work.  Let's make it easy on ourselves.

 

                            ANTHONY S. BARON
                            CPT, Infantry
                            Adjutant

 

This Battalion Report has been reproduced to appear like the original.  The copy was obtained by and has been generously contributed by Matt Vuolo, HHC,  2/14th Inf., 66-67.

Additional Duties for S1 Section/Charge of Quarters
Copyright © 2008 Kirk S. Ramsey
Last modified: January 20, 2020