b. Bedding. Weather permitting, pillows and mattresses, with the mattress
covers removed, should be aired outdoors weekly.
-- Blankets should be shaken out at least twice each week when the
weather permits and exchanged as often as is necessary to maintain cleanliness.
--
Sheets and pillowcases should be changed at least weekly.
3-20. SPECIAL MEASURES APPLICABLE TO RECRUITS
Because of the known susceptibility of newly inducted recruits to respiratory diseases,
special procedures have been established to prevent the occurrence of these illnesses
to the maximum possible extent. These procedures were initiated specifically to prevent
the recurrence of the meningitis epidemic, which occurred at the U.S. Army Training
Center at Fort Ord, California, in 1964; however, the measures are applicable in the
prevention of all respiratory diseases. In addition to the minimum sleeping space
requirements discussed in paragraph 3-16b(1) (72 square feet per individual), the
following measures are prescribed:
a. Unit Integrity. Where possible, new recruits are assigned to self-contained
units at the reception center, and they remain in those units throughout the entire 8-
week basic training cycle.
Platoon sized units are preferable, the size of the platoon being based
upon the troop housing utilized.
During all processing, training, housing, dining, and recreational activities,
maximum effort is directed toward maintaining platoon integrity and minimizing contacts
between platoons.
The ideal situation would be to isolate units and thus limit exposures to
respiratory disease agents to those already present in the unit.
b. Cycle Breaks
"Back-to-back" training cycles, i.e., assigning newly processed trainees to
barracks just vacated by soldiers completing their training, should be discouraged.
Whenever possible, a break of one or two weeks should be established
between successive training cycles, to permit maintenance and airing of individual
barracks.
c. Rest. Schedules, including mandatory lights out, reveille formations, and
compensatory time for night exercises or duty, should be arranged to ensure a minimum
of 8 hours sleep or rest.
MD0152
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