(a) Individual protective measures against arthropods, such as the use
of insect repellents, uniform impregnants, and protective clothing.
(b) The use and repair of insect screening and bednets.
(c) The use of residual and space insecticide sprays for the control of
flies and related pests.
(d) Rodent control measures.
(e)
Food service sanitation.
(f)
Unit waste disposal.
(g) Individual water purification procedures.
(h) Residual chlorine determinations in water supplies.
(i)
Personal hygiene.
(2) The field sanitation team is not normally functional in garrison, but is in a
state of training. In the field, the team conducts control operations within the unit area in
the above measures and in all other measures necessary for the protection of health of
unit personnel.
c. Individual Responsibilities. Although the field sanitation team may provide
valuable assistance to the commander, the real success of a unit preventive medicine
effort depends upon each individual in the unit. The commander must use the existing
chain of command to emphasize to each member of the organization the importance of
personal hygiene, sanitation, and individual protective measures against arthropods and
other disease vectors. Handwashing devices, field showers, insect repellent, mosquito
nets, and other health aids are of little value if the troops do not use them. Therefore,
unit-level preventive medicine is largely a matter of education.
3-3.
UNIT-LEVEL PREVENTIVE MEDICINE ACTIVITIES
Unit-level preventive medicine focuses primarily on the following major activities:
a. Field Water Supply and Waste Disposal.
(1) The Corps of Engineers is responsible for supplying potable water, safe
to drink, to tactical units in the field. Engineer field water purification equipment is very
reliable and produces water of high quality. However, no unit can afford to be
complacent. There are many possible sources of contamination in the field after the
water has been purified. It is the unit's responsibility to sample the water supply to
ensure its potability. In addition, there are times under combat conditions when
engineer water supplies are not available to combat troops because of disrupted supply
lines, inadequate transportation, and other logistical difficulties.
MD0008
3-3
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