Personnel – October 1965

 

Personnel – Oct 1965 

 

 

Personnel/Administration 

A.     Summary. 

The entire month of October was spent within the Chu Lai enclave.  The CP was not displaced during this period, and no major tactical operations were conducted which directly involved the personnel Section.  Except for casualty reporting, VCS handling and processing, and limited civil affairs works, the section concerned itself with strictly administrative matters. 

B.     Significant Events. 

  1. Of particular note is the receipt of 3rd MarDiv Bul 1300 of 6 Oct 65, which directed reassignment of various units of this command ******** first of two reassignments takes place on 12 November 1965, and involves the transfer of one T/O rifle company, one 81mm mortar section, one Antitank section, and one Flame Thrower squad to 1st Bn 7th Marines (located within this enclave).  Like units will be received from 1st Bn 7th Marines on the same date. 
  1. Two temporary appointments to First Lieutenant were received for officers of the command, and one permanent appointment to the same rank.  In addition, 19 promotions to Lance Corporal, and 24 Corporal were given during the month. 

C.    Problem areas/New Developments 

  1. Due to the continued shortage in certain supplies, the Address-o-graph system of Personnel Administration has not yet been implemented.  Additionally, stock levels of all administrative supplies are extremely low, and non-******** in some areas.  For example, no bond paper was on hand during the entire period. 
  1. Non-availability of equipment repair is an increasing problem.  The section is currently operating with one typewriter, all others are either turned in for repair, or loaned to other sections whose typewriters are inoperable. 
  1. Personnel shortages, overall, have been somewhat loosened.  The shortage of administratively trained personnel remains a problem, however, and will continue as such trained men rotate, and are not ‘replaced in kind’.   
  1. Personnel administration is still maintained at the company level.  This brings about many problems as the companies are situated miles from the Battalion Command.  Two are located on islands accessible only by LVT or helicopter.  Communications are often non-existent.  Battalion-level administration seems the only solution to this problem. 

D.    Personnel 

  1. Monthly Strength (Average) 

                     Officer Enlisted 

          USMC   35        950 

          USN      3             54 

  1. Battle and non-battle casualties 

Battle 1 

           Non-battle 2 

  1. Rotation during month 

        USMC – Enlisted 6 

  1. Replacements received 

       USMC – Enlisted    41 

       USN – Enlisted       2 

  1. Personnel Daily Summaries 
  1. Periodic Personnel Report 

E.     Discipline, Courts-Marial, Office Hours 

  1. Discipline within the command is good, as evidenced by the following statistics for the period. 

a.      Courts Martial 

Pending 

Summary 0

Special      2 

Completed 

Summary   2 

Special        0  

General*    1 

*(General Court-Martial held for one Marine from this unit, involving assault.  Man was found guilty and sentenced). 

b.      Non-Judicial Punishment 

Battalion Commander      7 

Company Commander     12 

F.     Morale, PX, Postal Affairs, Liberty, R&R 

  1. The overall morale for this Battalion is very high.  The ‘level’ of this morale has swayed from high to excellent, where it is now.  Taken to include two aspects, morale had been affected as follows: 

a.      Concerning the attitude of closing with and destroying the enemy, the morale has improved.  The Battalion has had numerous contacts with the VC, through putting its major emphasis on civil affairs and civic action.  Tactical operations away from friendly lines have increased, and show promise of continuing. 

b.      Concerning the personal comforts afforded to the individual, morale has improved greatly.  PX supplies have increased in both variety and quantity, postal service had been improved, with a  new system of delivery.  While liberty is not permitted to this unit the R&R program has been most satisfactory, and desired by all.  Laundry facilities, both civilian and military, are available to the unit.  The ‘in kind’ system of clothing replacement had been very acceptable.  

G.    Chaplains activities and totals 

  1. Sunday Divine Services (Protestant)
  2. Total number           13
  3. Total attendance    422 

c.      Units covered 

1.     3 October 

1/4 CP 49 

2/4 CP 23 

D/3 24 

A Co. 4 

C Co. 17 

2.     10 October 

1/4 CP 64 

2/4 CP 34 

A Co. 31 

3.     17 October 

1/4 CP 39 

A Co. 13 

4.     31 October 

1/4 CP 57 

2/4 CP 51 

A Co. 16 

  1. Weekday Divine Services 
  1. Total Number 5
  2. Total attendance 258
  3. Total Communed 165

d.      Units Covered: 

8 October D Co. 69 

                        C Co. 24 

15 October D Co. 64 

C Co. 24 

28 October 2/4 CP 63 

  1. Field Visitation 
  1. Total number of visits to units 25
  2. Total individuals contacted *26

c.      Units visited 

1 October 

D Co CP 64 

A Co 34 

B Med 5  

LVTs 18 

* Co 24 

4 October 

81’s 21 

B Med 3 

6 October 

B Co 61 

7 October  

C Co 83 

D Co 56 

8 October  

H&S Co 87 

9 October 

LVTs 24 

A Co 37 

B Med 2 

12 October 

LVTs 13 

B Med 4  

      15 October 

D Co 82 

C Co 51 

      16 October 

B Co TAOR 18 

B Med 3 

A Co 38 

LVTs 11 

      19 October 

B Med 3 

A Co 31 

      20 October 

B Med 3 

81’s 11 

      26 October 

B Med 2 

A Co 25 

      28 October 

2/4 CP 14 

  1. Professional Counseling Cases 
  1. Total number 27
  1. Hospital visits 
  1. Total numbers 23

      (included in field visitation) 

  1. Administration of sacrament