July-August - Air Defense Artillery School

6
mindedness on the part of the men if they are to welcome
this new experience.
Men, physically unfit for active service, will be transferred
from the unit. Those remaining will be checked for
completion of necessary vaccinations and immunizations.
Those requiring spectacles or dental treatment as the result
of this nnal physical checkup, may have to be left behind
thus reducing the number of trained personnel in the unit.
This condition could have been averted by having such
defects corrected previously. \Vhile personnel will be furnished
from the Point of Embarkation Pool to bring the
unit up to full strength, it is always preferable to keep such
additions to the minimum. Fewer casuals would be needed
if unit commanders kept a closer check on their men for
remedial treatments of physical defects.
Next, we will turn our attention briefly to the matter of
equipment, including personal equipment and clothing as
well as the property of the battalion as a whole. Upon a
unit being alerted a "show down" inspection is made at
the home station to determine "original" shortages. This
will include both the items missing as well as those unserviceable.
These shortages must be filled by the home station
from such stocks as are available. \Vhere certain items
are lacking they must be obtained elsewhere, which delay
may result in certain inconveniences. Here again proper
attention to the state of clothing and equipment from the
THE COAST ARTILLERY JOUR~;AL
HA number of men must be crowded into a small space."
beginning of basic training will result in the minimum Ii
of "original" shortages.
Shortly after the new nller joins his unit he nnds himsel
in possession of certain personal equipment in addition ~
his complete issue of clothing. All of this is generally ~
such condition that if properly cared for it could be carn
with him overseas later. However, the young soldier mu
be taught to mark his possessions properly. He must be ill-I
structed in the best methods of caring for his uniforms ~
keep them serviceable and presentable. Such of his eqUl]
ment as was in an inferior condition when originally issu
should be exchanged when that of a suitable quality
available. \Vhere this procedure is followed in a unit, t
size of last minute requisitions will be considerably redu
In the case of organizational equipment, similar st
should be taken by the battalion commander to pr
it in a complete and serviceable condition at the Port
Embarkation. One of the important tasks facing an alert
unit is that of packing. Many of the reports, coming ba
from overseas, indicate that a certain amount of equipmeJl
is arriving in the Theatre of Operations in an unserviceah
condition. This can generally be attributed to improper
preparation for shipping. Admitting that antiaircraft U
have much delicate equipment to move, there is still
valid reason why packers cannot be properly trained
crate such objects as directors, height nnders, and ra