Jump Start Rear Detachment

As the war on terror continues to progress, more and more Army units are deploying to fight for our Nation’s interests, which means additional rear detachment organizations will be created to support the operations of our fighting forces. This article intends to provide newly appointed rear detachment command teams with useful information for establishing a battalion-level rear detachment prior to a unit’s deployment. The discussion is separated into five parts: the S1, S2, S3, S4, and family readiness group (FRG). Key tasks are presented in each section and are preceded by an explanation of the task significance. The S1 The S1 serves as the unit’s personnel and administration office, overseeing the unit’s personnel and administration systems. The S1 section functions as the essential administrative liaison between the subordinate units and the headquarters, handling personnel actions for all ranks. The S1 officer is also entrusted with the traditional role of being the commander’s adjutant. As a member of the rear detachment command team, the S1 is responsible for safeguarding personal information on each deployed soldier, as well as military personnel actions. Below are a couple of helpful suggestions to help S1s establish a secure and effective process: Obtain a locking file cabinet and hanging folders. Obtain a locking file cabinet with enough drawers to accommodate each deployed company, as well as enough hanging folders for each deploying soldier. The file cabinet is used to store personnel information, such as the DD Form 93, the serviceman’s group life insurance election form, enlisted record brief, and unit readiness packet, for each deployed soldier. Organize early; this information will be needed should anyone be wounded or killed in action. It is important that this cabinet have a locking mechanism because it will contain sensitive information. Obtain copies of all legal actions and counseling. Obtain copies of all legal actions and counseling statements that have been prepared on soldiers in the rear detachment, as well as absent without leave (AWOL) soldiers. These documents will be helpful in the event Uniform Code of Military Justice actions are required for poor performers, or it is necessary to prepare a soldier for elimination from the Army. Personnel actions center (PAC) clerk. Assign a competent and motivated soldier to serve as the PAC clerk. This soldier will likely independently operate the unit’s PAC and will have significant responsibilities. The rear detachment should ensure this soldier receives on-the-job training with the battalion S1 shop prior to deployment. The PAC clerk will be responsible for financial issues of family members, keeping higher headquarters informed of manning strength, assisting with admin paperwork, and checking unit distribution boxes around post. The S2 The S2 serves as the unit’s security office and manages all security clearance issues for personnel assigned to the unit. — 23

When the unit is preparing to deploy, the S2 section should: Establish secret internet protocol router network (SIPRNET) accounts. SIPRNET accounts for the rear detachment commander and first sergeant (1SG) will be a necessary means of communications for the rear detachment and the deployed unit. It provides a medium for the deployed element to pass sensitive information to the rear and vice versa. This is particularly useful when discussing casualty information. Obtain copies of isolation preparation (ISOPREP) photos. The rear detachment should have copies of ISOPREP photos for every soldier in the unit. These photos will assist the rear detachment in identifying remains when a soldier is killed in action. If the photos are taken taste-fully, they may also be useful for memorial operations. Assign a key control noncommissioned officer (NCO). Assign a key control NCO and ensure he is trained prior to unit deployment. The rear detachment will likely assume responsibility for numerous buildings once the unit departs. The key control NCO should develop a plan to receive the unit’s keys in an organized manner. Assign a privately owned vehicle (POV) storage NCOIC. The battalion rear detachment POV NCOIC should coordinate with each company-level POV NCOIC for issuance of vehicle storage packets and pre-inspections. Company-level POV NCOICs should be present when soldiers turn in POVs, this will assist the battalion-level NCOIC in ensuring proper documentation and procedures are in place. To alleviate confusion, the rear detachment should obtain file-sized envelopes for each vehicle stored in the POV lot. Use the envelopes to organize keys and car information. Also, obtain a locking storage file cabinet or field safe, which can be used by the POV storage NCOIC to safely secure the POV packets that contain keys and soldier personal information. The S3 The S3 is the unit’s operations office, which includes plans and training. The S3 plans and coordinates all things necessary to enable the unit to operate and accomplish its mission. All aspects of sustaining the unit’s operations, planning further operations, and executing all training fall under the responsibility of the S3. While preparing for the unit to deploy, the S3 should: Appoint a rear detachment cadre. At a minimum, a rear detachment should consist of a commander, 1SG, S1 clerk, and supply sergeant. These personnel should be permanently assigned to the rear detachment, and should be strong, motivated performers. Other helpful positions include training NCO, mail clerk, and maintenance NCO. The rear detachment should send one person to be mail handler certified. Organize rear detachment platoons. Battalion-sized rear detachments should organize platoons according to the needs of soldiers and the deployed unit. Figure 1 depicts a battalion structure for organizing a rear detachment. Request no less than four computers and a printer. Although the battalion rear detachment commander may not be successful in his endeavor, at a minimum, he should request that the battalion leave no less than four computers and a printer with the rear detachment. Four computers enable smooth operations, and rear detachment operations are similar to company-level gar rison operations. The 1SG, commander, S1, and S4 all need computers, and they do not necessarily need to be laptops. Obtain a least route calling (LCR) card. The rear detachment commander and 1SG will make numerous long distance phone calls during the unit’s deployment; as such, a LCR card will greatly assist with the expense. Obtain government travel cards. The rear detachment commander should require all eligible rear de- “Assign a competent and motivated soldier to serve as the PAC clerk. This soldier will likely independently operate the unit’s PAC and will have a significant responsibility. The rear detachment should ensure this soldier receives on-the-job training with the battalion S1 shop prior to deployment.” 24 — “The deploying unit should conduct a pre-deployment briefing with its soldiers and FRG. This briefing is the perfect opportunity to prepare spouses for along separation.”

tachment NCOs to obtain government travel cards. These cards are useful when the unit sustains casualties and the rear detachment sends soldiers to conduct escort duties for fallen comrades. Be prepared for memorial services. The rear detachment should be prepared to execute memorial services for deceased soldiers. To do this, the rear detachment 1SG should have any secondary squadron/battalion colors, likely stored at the brigade. The rear detachment should have at least one pair of new boots and anew helmet cover to be used only for memorial displays. The rear detachment should have a sufficient supply of unit coins to present to the families of deceased soldiers. Obtain range certification and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) driver’s certification. The rear detachment commander should ensure rear detachment NCOs are both range certified and HAZMAT driver certified. Training late deploying and newly arrived soldiers should begin immediately once the main body departs. During this training, the rear detachment will likely have to run ranges, and will therefore need qualified range officers in charge, range supervisors, drivers to transport soldiers, and ammunition. The S4 The S4 is the unit’s logistics officer, responsible for managing the unit’s supply and logistics support by providing all manner of supplies and services, to include ammunition, fuel, water, maintenance materials, and transportation services. To aid in the unit’s preparation for deployment, the S4 should: Organize inventories and property accountability. To avoid an accountability nightmare, the rear detachment should seek influence from its battalion chain of command to require company-sized units, which are leaving stay-behind equipment (SBE), to have an organized layout of all SBE. In this layout, a basic issue item (BII) listing for each piece of stay-behind equipment should be included, along with a shortage annex for each piece. Obtain locks. The rear detachment should obtain numerous locks to secure

SBE.

Purchase office supplies. Set the rear detachment up for success by purchasing office supplies prior to the unit’s deployment. Once the unit deploys, the rear detachment will likely encounter difficulties making purchases due to limited funds and lack of credit card holders. Purchase supplies for Class A uniforms. In the event a soldier from the unit is killed in action, the unit provides unit patches, unit crests, and special unit awards to mortuary affairs so they can prepare the soldier’s Class A uniform. As such, it is important for the rear detachment to purchase a supply of these items prior to the unit’s deployment. The Family Readiness Group The family readiness group (FRG) is an organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers, and civilian employees who together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication among the members, the chain of command, and community resources. These Army families band together during war or overseas tours to provide information, moral support, and social outlets to spouses and family members. Based on its function, the FRG should prepare families for separation by ensuring the following items are available: A unit deployment handbook for the FRG. The rear detachment should have a deployment handbook for the family members of the FRG. This book should, at a minimum, contain rear detachment contact information, as well as organization contact information, such as legal, post housing, finance, American Red Cross, Army Emergency Relief, Army Community Services, and suicide prevention, that spouses may need while soldiers are deployed. Presenting this information in a play book fashion has been successful for many units. A casualty notification briefing. As part of the deployment process, the unit should conduct a briefing on casualty notification procedures for the FRG. This briefing assists spouses twofold: it lets them know what to expect should something happen to their spouse and makes them aware of possible deployment scams — con artists may attempt to gain sensitive personal information from family members of deployed soldiers by conducting a false casualty notification. Informing the FRG of proper notification procedures assists them in identifying possible scams. The unit may request a local representative from the Casualty Assistance Center to assist with this briefing. Pre-deployment briefing. The deploying unit should conduct a pre-deployment briefing with its soldiers and FRG. This briefing is the perfect opportunity to prepare spouses for along separation. Useful topics of discussion include an introduction; contact information for the rear detachment; situation/area of operation overview; deployment pay; emergency leave policy; operations security; sources of official information; financial assistance agencies; counseling agencies; morale, welfare, and recreation opportunities; and child care facilities. The tasks listed in this article were developed with the assistance of the outstanding noncommissioned officers of Rear Detachment, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment. While this article does not provide all of the answers, it does provide a good start. Depending on assigned rear detachment missions and requirements, more or less may be needed to set up a rear detachment for success. Captain J. Clinton Tisserand is currently the rear detachment commander, 1st Squadron, 14th (1-14) Cavalry, Fort Lewis, WA. He received a B. S. from the United States Military Academy and is currently completing an M. A. from Chapman University. His military education includes Air Assault School, Armor Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Scout Leaders Course, and Rear Detachment Leaders Course. He has served in various command and staff positions, including platoon leader, 1st Platoon, B Troop, 1-14 Cavalry (RSTA), Tall A’far, Iraq; platoon leader and assistant S1, 1-14 Cavalry, Mosul, Iraq; XO, C Troop, 1-14 Cavalry (RSTA), Fort Lewis. Special thanks to Sergeant First Class Kenneth Poturica, first sergeant, rear detachment, 1-14 Cavalry, for his assistance in writing this article. Battalion

Deployable Platoon Medical Non-Deployable Platoon Chapter / Loss Platoon Headquarters Platoon (Cadre) Figure 1 — 25 Rear Detachment Organization