CHAPTER 8
ADMINISTRATION

    Paragraphs
SECTION I. Supply 194-203
II. Medical service and evacuation 204-207
III. Motor maintenance 208

SECTION I
SUPPLY

  1. REFERENCES.--For definitions, fundamentals, and methods relating to supply, see FM 100-10; for logistical data, see FM 7-55 and 101-10; for supply within the infantry regiment, see FM 7-30 and 7-40.

  2. RESPONSIBILITY.--Supply is a responsibility of command. This responsibility cannot be delegated. The company is the basic unit with administrative functions. The company commander is responsible for making timely requests for supplies and for distributing supplies received to the members of his company. He is also responsible for the supply of attached units or personnel.

  3. MEANS.--

    1. Personnel.--The administration group in company headquarters consists of the following personnel, whose duties and locations are as indicated:

      1. Mess sergeant, cooks, and cooks' helpers.--The mess sergeant is responsible for checking the rations and water issued the company, the division of rations into meals, the supervision of the cooks and cooks' helpers in the preparation of meals, and the distribution of meals to the company. Usually he and his assistants are in the regimental train bivouac, working under the direct supervision of the service company commander.

      2. Supply sergeant and armorer-artificer.--The supply sergeant is responsible for checking and distributing supplies, except rations and water. He keeps the company commander informed of the company needs. He also supervises the work of the armorer-artificer. During combat the supply sergeant will usually be in the forward area in order to assist the company

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        commander in matters relating to supply, particularly ammunition supply. The armorer-artificer will usually be in the train bivouac where he assists in the procurement and distribution of supplies, executes minor repairs on weapons, and performs simple carpentry tasks.

      1. Company clerk.--The company clerk keeps the company records. As a member of the regimental personnel section he is employed under the personnel officer. In the field the personnel section may be separated from the regiment, and operate and move with the rear echelon of the division or corps; otherwise, it operates in the regimental train bivouac.

    1. Transportation.--

      1. The company transport comprises those vehicles organically assigned to the company. Ordinarily these vehicles are used to transport the weapons, ammunition, and certain personnel of the weapons platoon. Their employment in ammunition supply is discussed in paragraph 201.

      2. Vehicles of the battalion section of the kitchen and baggage train are allotted to the companies. These vehicles carry organizational equipment, rations, water, and other impedimenta not carried on company transport. When part of their organic loads have been dumped, kitchen and baggage train vehicles may be used to haul the individual rolls of personnel.

      3. One or more vehicles of the battalion ammunition train are allotted to the rifle company. Initially this transportation carries loads of small-arms ammunition and special ammunition (mortar, grenades, and pyrotechnics) in quantities prescribed in the Table of Basic Allowances. Their employment in ammunition supply is discussed in paragraph 201.

  1. CLASS I SUPPLY.--

    1. General.--

      1. Rations and water are the principal items of class I supply for the company. These items are consumed at a relatively uniform daily rate irrespective of combat operations.

      2. A ration is the allowance of food for one person for one day. The field ration is ordinarily issued in time of war, national emergency, or during field training. It is issued in kind; its components and substitutes are prescribed by the War Department or by the commander of the field forces.

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        It may consist of field rations A, B, C, or D, or combinations of these. See FM 7-30 for a description of these rations and their uses.

      1. Troops should receive three meals daily. At least two of these meals should be hot. Plans for rationing troops are based upon the tactical situation, availability of vehicles, road net, traffic conditions, terrain, and weather. Methods of preparation and distribution of rations are discussed in FM 7-30.

    1. Attachments for rations.--Mess personnel at the kitchen location will be informed of any attachments for rations in time to insure the preparation of an adequate amount of food and will be given directions for the loading of kitchen vehicles to secure proper distribution. If mess personnel are at a company mess location, the information is furnished by the company commander, if at a battalion kitchen location, by the battalion supply officer; and if under regimental control in the train bivouac area, by the service company commander.

    2. Battalion release of kitchen and baggage vehicles: action by the company.--

      1. The kitchen and baggage train usually moves and bivouacs under regimental control. The battalion section of the train is released to battalion control when necessary.

      2. The battalion supply officer (S-4) formulates a plan for feeding the companies of the battalion. The plan includes the time and place of release of kitchen vehicles to companies and time and place they are to revert to battalion control. After approval of the plan by the battalion commander, the battalion supply officer advises each company commander of the plan and arranges for company guides.

      3. The company provides guides who meet the company kitchen vehicles at the battalion point of release and conduct them over the most suitable route to the company mess location. The company commander is responsible for returning these vehicles to battalion control at the prescribed point, on or before the hour specified in the battalion plan.

    3. Company mess location; method of distributing rations and water to individuals.--

      1. The company mess location should be as near the troops to be fed as tactical conditions

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        permit. The location should afford concealment from hostile observation and should provide defilade from hostile flat-trajectory fire. The company commander selects the company mess location and insures that the men of his company and those of any attached elements are fed. The feeding of personnel at detached posts must not be overlooked.

      1. After the kitchen vehicles arrive at the company mess location, feeding begins as soon as preparations are completed. If a majority of the men can be served at the mess location this is the most satisfactory method of feeding. Care must be taken to prevent congestion at the mess location. Dispersion may be obtained by serving the meal by squad and requiring that squads remain separated by safe distances while at or near the mess location. Food and water in containers may be carried forward by carrying parties to those men who cannot come to the mess location. Platoon leaders, after being informed of the time, place, and method to be used for the distribution of the meal, are responsible for having carrying parties present at the mess location when the kitchen vehicles arrive, and for having the carrying parties return the empty containers at the designated time.

      2. Filled water containers are sent forward with meals. Canteens are refilled at the company mess location. This is expedited by emptying water containers into water sterilizing bags having multiple outlets from which the canteens may be refilled. When men are unable to come to the mess location, their canteens may be brought to the mess location by others and refilled, or water may be carried to them in water containers by carrying parties. Water is replenished locally wherever practicable. Before use, however, this water must be tested and its use approved by appropriate medical personnel. For details of water purification, see FM 8-40.

  1. CLASS II SUPPLY.--

    1. General.--Class II supplies comprise articles for which allowances are established by Table of Basic Allowances. Type items are clothing, gas masks, arms, trucks, tools, and items of signal equipment.

    2. Replacement.--

      1. Clothing and individual equipment are ordinarily replaced during periods when the company is not engaged in combat.

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      1. When weapons or prescribed items of individual or organizational equipment are required during combat to replace those which have been damaged, destroyed, or lost, the company sends its requests through command channels to regiment. Small amounts are usually involved and delivery is made through the same channels as for class I supplies.

      2. The company sends back damaged weapons and equipment to the train bivouac by a kitchen vehicle or other transport going to the rear. The armorer-artificer makes such repairs as he can. The supply sergeant, or the armorer-artificer, arranges with the supply officer group (S-4 section) of the service company to turn in and secure replacement for articles damaged beyond local repair.

  1. CLASS III SUPPLY.--

    1. General.--Class III supplies for the rifle company consist of gasoline, lubricating oil, and grease. The regiment carries a reserve of gasoline and oil in containers. A part of this reserve may be distributed to individual vehicles. These containers and the fuel tanks of vehicles are refilled at every opportunity.

    2. Distribution.--

      1. During movement or in combat, the regiment and higher headquarters will establish class III distributing points for the resupply of motor fuel. At such points resupply may be effected by exchanging empty for filled containers or by the direct filling of vehicle tanks from multiple-outlet trucks.

      2. Individual vehicles sent to rear area supply establishments are serviced with gasoline and oil at these points. Other vehicles are resupplied at or from the regimental gas and oil distributing point which is established in the regimental train bivouac or other suitable location. To facilitate supply, small stocks of class III supplies may be established at battalion ammunition distributing points or filled containers may be delivered with class I supplies to the company area.

  2. CLASS IV SUPPLY.--

    1. General.--Class IV supplies comprise articles which are not covered in Table of Basic Allowances and the demands for which are directly related to the operations contemplated or in progress, except articles

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      in class III and class V. Engineer field fortification materials are the principal class IV items of concern to the rifle company.

    1. Engineer supply.--The company commander is informed by the battalion commander as to where and when engineer field fortification materials will be furnished. Likewise, when additional intrenching tools are to be furnished by the battalion, he is informed of the details of distribution.

    2. Medical supply.--During combat, emergency requirements are obtained by informal request to the nearest medical unit.

    3. Other supplies.--Other items of class IV supply are obtained by requisition.

  1. CLASS V SUPPLY.--

    1. General.--Class V supplies include all classes of ammunition. Ammunition for the rifle company is carried as follows:

      Type Carried on
      Ammunition for light machine guns and 60-mm mortars. Weapon carriers, battalion ammunition train, and division train.
      Ammunition for all other weapons Individual soldier, battalion ammunition train, and division train.

      The Table of Basic Allowances prescribes the amounts of ammunition carried in each place.

    2. Battalion ammunition distributing point.--The battalion ammunition distributing point is located in the most advanced area that is practicable according to the situation. It is operated under the supervision of the battalion supply officer by personnel of the battalion ammunition and pioneer platoon. In attack, it is advanced by bounds along a route of ammunition advance prescribed by the battalion commander.

    3. Offensive combat.--

      1. Initial supply.--

        1. All weapons except light machine guns and 60-mm mortars.--Prior to entry into combat and usually in the battalion assembly area, the vehicles of the battalion ammunition train allotted to the company are temporarily released to the company for the issue of extra ammunition. "Extra ammunition" is that additional

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          quantity of small-arms ammunition and grenades issued to the riflemen, automatic riflemen, and rifle grenadiers to augment that which they normally carry on the person. This amount should enable them to initiate and sustain combat until replenishment can be effected. The amounts of extra ammunition ordinarily issued are prescribed in the Table of Basic Allowances. The battalion commander may direct that greater or lesser amounts be issued. After extra ammunition has been issued the ammunition train vehicles are returned immediately to the battalion ammunition distributing point for refill.

        1. Light machine guns and 60-mm mortars.--During route marches, the company weapon carriers usually move by bounds in rear of the foot elements of the battalion or regiment. Prior to entry into combat the weapon carriers are released to the company and join the weapons platoon. As the platoon moves forward to its attack positions, the weapon carriers are conducted to off-carrier positions as near to the initial firing positions of the weapons as conditions permit. There the weapons and an initial supply of ammunition are unloaded. The remaining ammunition is consolidated on the minimum number of weapon carriers under the direction of the platoon transport corporal, who sends emptied weapon carriers to the battalion ammunition distributing point for refill.

      1. Replenishment.--

        1. Responsibility.--See figure 29.

          1. The battalion commander is responsible for the delivery of ammunition to one or more points, selected by the company commander, from which the latter can effect distribution to his platoons with the means at his disposal. Movement of weapon carriers in rear of the company area is supervised, coordinated, and expedited by the battalion commander.

          2. The company commander is responsible for making an adequate supply of ammunition available to his platoons. Platoon commanders will usually send carrying parties back to the point where ammunition is available. If combat conditions prevent this, or if the distance is prohibitive,

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            the company commander may move the ammunition forward to the platoon by weapon carrier, by attached personnel from the battalion ammunition and pioneer section, if available,


Figure 29
System of ammunition replenishment.

            or by carrying parties from the support platoon. The company commander usually assigns the second-in-command, or supply sergeant (operating from the company command post) to supervise the supply of ammunition

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            and the routine operation of weapon carriers in the company area.

          1. The platoon leader (or leader of a weapon section detached from platoon control) is responsible for delivery of ammunition to the weapons and individuals. If his available personnel is insufficient, he requests assistance from the company commander.

          2. Platoon and subordinate leaders are responsible for keeping their next superior (or the commander of the unit to which attached) informed of the amount of ammunition on hand.

          3. All leaders will exercise strict supervision over the expenditure of ammunition.

        1. Replenishment by weapon carriers.

          1. General.--When conditions permit the retention of weapon carriers in the company area, the weapons platoon retains one loaded vehicle as near the firing positions of the weapons as practicable; if sections are widely separated, a loaded vehicle may be retained near each section. The initial locations of these vehicles may be forward of the off-carrier position, the vehicles being moved to them by covered routes. These locations should provide defilade from hostile flat-trajectory fire and, if possible, concealment from aerial observation. Other loaded weapon carriers, as they arrive in the company area, are echeloned to the rear under company control in locations providing cover and concealment. The transport corporal maintains contact between these vehicles, the weapons platoon, and the company command post.

          2. Rifle platoons.--Weapon carriers are normally used to replenish ammunition for the weapons platoon but may be used to bring forward ammunition for the rifle platoons. Rifle platoon leaders keep the company commander informed of the state of ammunition supply in their platoons and notify him when they are confronted with

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            an emergency ammunition requirement. Ordinarily replenishment of ammunition for rifle platoons in the attacking echelon can be effected only after the capture of a terrain mask or after nightfall.

          1. Weapons platoon.--As soon as a truck under weapons platoon control is emptied, the transport corporal replaces it with a loaded vehicle and dispatches the emptied vehicle to the battalion ammunition distributing point for refill. The transport corporal ascertains from the platoon (or detached section) leader the type of ammunition desired and gives the chauffeur a note to that effect. On arrival at the battalion ammunition distributing point, the chauffeur gives the note to the battalion S-4, or his representative, who has the truck refilled and returned to the company area. Ammunition is carried from the nearest weapon carrier to the weapon by the squad ammunition bearers. The bearers of the platoon or of each section may be combined to facilitate supply.

        1. Replenishment by hand carry.--In general the battalion assumes control of company transport when enemy activity or lack of cover and concealment preclude its retention in the company area. The transport corporal remains with the transportation. When such conditions exist ammunition is supplied as described in (b) above, except that it is carried by hand.

        2. Replenishment for attached units.--The rifle company commander is responsible for the ammunition supply of attached units. The company commander may direct his representative at the command post to supervise the ammunition supply for the attached units, or he may authorize them to secure their ammunition directly from the battalion ammunition distributing point. In the latter case, he requires the leader of the attached unit to keep him informed of the state of his ammunition supply.

    1. Defensive combat.--

      1. Initial supply.--The battalion commander will prescribe the amount of ammunition to be

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        unloaded within the company defense area. The minimum amount so prescribed must be sufficient to obviate resupply before darkness. Primary, alternate, and supplementary positions are stocked. Weapon carriers, after stocking troop units, are refilled and assembled under regimental or battalion control in rear of the battle position.

      1. Replenishment.--

        1. The responsibilities of the battalion, company, and platoon commanders for replenishment are the same as for offensive combat. After contact is made with the enemy, replenishment of ammunition within the company will usually be made under cover of darkness. Loaded weapon carriers are delivered by battalion to the company ammunition point. Loads are usually dumped at this point and the vehicles returned to the battalion ammunition distributing point. Any additional loads brought forward are likewise dumped at the company ammunition point. Distribution to platoons of ammunition dumped at the company ammunition point is effected by hand carry. If vehicles can move directly to the platoon defense areas, the company ammunition point is merely a control station. Ordinarily, platoon leaders will be instructed to report, at or shortly before dark, the amounts of ammunition on hand. Based on these reports the company commander plans and effects distribution.

        2. The company ammunition point is selected by the company commander and operates under an individual selected by him. Desirable characteristics are:

          1. Convenience to platoons.

          2. Location at or in rear of the point where favorable routes diverge to platoons.

          3. Concealment from air and ground observation.

          4. Defilade from hostile flat-trajectory fire.

          5. Ease of identification.

          6. Facility of motor movement to the rear.

  1. INDIVIDUAL ROLLS.--On the march the individual rolls of members of the company may be transported in kitchen and baggage train vehicles when part of the organic loads have been dumped. Rolls are delivered to the company during long halts when the duration of the halt and weather conditions warrant. The battalion supply officer effects delivery of rolls to companies and recovers the rolls at the time prescribed by

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    the battalion commander. During offensive combat, rolls may be sent forward with supper and collected by the battalion supply officer after the serving of breakfast. In defensive situations, the members of the company often may keep individual rolls with them.

  1. ORDERS.--

    1. Administrative matters in the company order may include such of the following items as are applicable:

      1. Location of company and battalion ammunition distributing points.

      2. Route of advance of ammunition (in attack).

      3. Amount of ammunition to be placed on position (in defense).

      4. Disposition of company vehicles.

      5. Location of battalion aid station.

    2. Additional directions of an administrative nature may be included in the order, or issued later in fragmentary form to those concerned. These directions may include the plan for feeding, the detailing of guides, carrying parties, or other such matters.

SECTION II
MEDICAL SERVICE AND EVACUATION

  1. REFERENCES.--For details of the composition and equipment of the medical detachment of the infantry regiment, see Tables of Organization and Table of Basic Allowances. For general mission, organization, and functions of the headquarters and battalion sections of the medical detachment, see FM 7-30.

  2. PERSONNEL AND DUTIES.--The two medical department enlisted men serving with the rifle company are known as company aid men. They are attached to the company when it is on the march, in bivouac, or in combat. Each of these men carries two pouches containing first aid equipment, such as bandages, dressings, and tourniquets. Their duties are:

    1. To maintain contact with the rifle company.

    2. To administer first aid where needed.

    3. To instruct walking sick and wounded as to the exact location of the battalion aid station and the route to be used in proceeding thereto.

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    1. To send information to their battalion surgeon by litter bearers and walking wounded. Their messages give the location of the company and the approximate number and location of casualties in the company area.

    2. In combat, to place all seriously wounded in defiladed locations along the route of advance, thus facilitating the work of litter bearers.

  1. RELATION TO BATTALION MEDICAL SERVICE.--The company aid men are a part of the company aid squad of the battalion medical section. In combat, their work is closely related to that of the other squads of the medical section. Litter bearers follow behind the company aid men and remove the seriously wounded to the battalion aid station which is established and operated by the aid station squad.

  2. ORDERS.--The company order should always include information as to the location of the battalion aid station. This information should be made known to all the members of the company.

SECTION III
MOTOR MAINTENANCE

  1. RESPONSIBILITY.--

    1. The company commander is responsible for the operation and maintenance of his vehicles. He is assisted in the performance of these duties by the supply sergeant and transport corporal. Operating personnel are carefully selected. The most important link in the chain of vehicle operation is the driver. He is selected for his ability, judgment, and conscientious performance of duty. He is instructed in his duties, the inspections required of him, and the first echelon maintenance operations that he is required to perform. By personal observation, and by frequent inspections, the company commander insures that these operations are accomplished.

    2. Vehicles requiring second, third, or fourth echelon maintenance are reported to the battalion commander. For echelons of maintenance, see FM 25-10.

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