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The job of the field sanitation team (FST) is to help the commander protect the health of his soldiers. The FST does this by advising and assisting the commander in the numerous duties associated with reducing the possibility of disease and nonbattle injury (DNBI). Once the memebrs of the FST are properly certified, they are responsible for training the leadership and soldiers on the prevention of DNBI.

1. Selection. When selecting the FST, consider soldiers whose daily duties allow them to give enough attention to field sanitation activities. Soldiers whose normal duties in the field require them to operate full time should not be placed on the FST. One of the most frequent mistakes made is placing the supply sergeant (who spends the majority of the time at the field trains) in charge of the FST. Unless organic medical soldiers are available, the team should have, at a minimum, an NCO and one other soldier who has longevity, and is highly motivated.

2. Leadership. The primary leader responsible for the enforcement of field sanitation issues is the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant should employ the FST to handle any field sanitation problem or potential problem beyond the capability of the individual soldier. The First Sergeant must also stress to first-line supervisors how important it is to ensure that all their soldiers practice the proper personal hygiene.

3. Tasks. In combat, the medical threat is just as real as the enemy. The commander relies on the FST to perform tasks such as:

• Inspect water containers and trailers.
• Disinfect unit water supplies.
• Check unit water supply for chlorine.
• Inspect unit field food operations.
• Inspect unit waste disposal operations.
• Control arthropods and other animals in the unit area.
• Train unit soldiers in the use of individual preventive medicine measures (PMMs).
• Monitor status of other PMMs in unit.
• Supervise the construction of all field sanitation devices.

Technique:

1. Ensure that the FST maintains proficiency in these tasks.

2. Train FST members frequently in a field environment.

3. Use the 20-hour master schedule in FM 21-10-1, Chapter 1, Section II, as a guide when conducting FST training.

TIC TOCs (TOCs That Run Like Clockwork)

How to Plan, Rehearse and Execute a Prep by Echelonment