13TH COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION GUIDE FOR NEW ARRIVALS
VIETNAM TOUR
The normal tour in Vietnam is 12 months. Your DEROS (Date Eligible for Return from Overseas) is computed as one of the following:
a. Personnel whose current separation date will permit completion of a normal oversea tour: e.g. Date departed U.S. 4 June 64 - DEROS 3 June 65.
b. Personnel whose current separation date will not permit completion of a normal oversea tour: ETS (Estimated time of Separation) less 7 days.
c. Personnel who are residents of Puerto Rico and who will be returned
there for
separation: ETS less 25 days.
Special leave (Free Leave) for 30 days is authorized to all personnel who extend 6 months in Vietnam. Leave may be granted after completing 9 months in country. Leave time does not count as time spent on oversea tour.
ASSIGNMENT PREFERENCE STATEMENT
All Officers, Warrant Officers, and EM grades E-7, E-8, and E-9 will submit an assignment preference statement nine months prior to DEROS. Officers will complete DA Form 483. Enlisted will complete DA Form 2635.
Preference statements will be forwarded to you for completion the second month you are in Vietnam. These will be completed in duplicate and returned to the Battalion Personnel Officer.
IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL JURISDICTION
Under Article 4 of Pentalateral Agreement military personnel are granted immunity from criminal and civil jurisdiction in Vietnam. This grant of immunity, however, imposes upon U.S. personnel the responsibility, under appropriate U.S. instructions, for complying with Vietnamese law and law enforcement authorities insofar as it is consistent with U.S. law and U.S. military requirements to do so.
HEALTH
Immunization records are checked monthly by the dispensary. You
will be notified to report for inoculations in the event your record is
not. current. Required immunizations are listed for your information:
You will take a malaria suppressant pill once a week. This is required by regulation and is a safeguard for you against this dread disease. Pills are available in unit messes and dining rooms and should be taken the same day every week - preferably Sunday which is an easy day to remember.
Diarrhea, worms and hepatitis can be contracted by eating or drinking contaminated food and water. If for some reason you eat in civilian establishments, pick one that is recommended and clean. Eat only foods that are well cooked. Drink beverages without ice. Avoid salads, dressings, sea foods and all dairy products. Many communicable diseases are carried by birds and animals. Personnel will report any animal bite no matter how minor to the surgeon immediately.
CLAIMS
Any incident involving US Government property, personnel or employees which result in death, or injury or damage to private property, must be reported and investigated regardless of whether a claim has been filed. If you are involved in or have knowledge of any such incident report it immediately to your unit claims officer, or your commanding officer.
MAIL IN VIETNAM
Free mail service went into effect I September 1965 for all military personnel serving in Vietnam and adjacent waters. Personal letters, letter size tape recordings and post cards in their generally accepted form are entitled to free transit. Letters sent under this free mail policy will be handled as US air mail. Your full military address to include name, rank, and service number must appear on the envelope. The word FREE in the upper right hand corner must be in YOUR handwriting. It cannot be typed or mechanically marked. Mail may be sent free to the Foreign countries. Letters so mailed cannot be registered. They may be sent special delivery if an additional special delivery charge is paid. The words "Postage Paid" or "Port Paye" must be stamped in the upper right hand corner. APO will perform this service. Handwritten or type written lettering is not acceptable. Packages under 5 pounds sent regular mail will, whenever possible, be handled via Air Mail between Saigon and the San Francisco Post Office.
IG (PERSONAL PROBLEMS)
The name, location and phone number of the Inspector General is posted on each unit bulletin board. If you have a problem you will find your unit commander, chaplain, flight surgeon and Battalion Commander available and willing to assist you in any way possible. Refer problems for resolutions through these channels rather than through civilian agencies of the government.
LEAVE AND R&R
You are authorized one 7 day leave during your tour. This is charged as ordinary leave. This leave must be approved by the Battalion Commander. Leaves are only granted to areas authorized for R&R. (Reference ASARV Reg 630-1). In addition you are authorized one 7 day R&R. This is not charged as leave. Areas authorized to visit on R&R are listed in USARV 28-5. Emergency leaves are granted upon Red Cross verification. You should notify your family that should your presence be required at home they should NOT contact you, but notify the local chapter of their American Red Cross. The Red Cross will investigate and get word to you in the least amount of time. Emergency leaves up to 30 days may be granted in cases of verified emergencies.
PAY
You will be offered several pay options. These will be explained
to you at the time you process through finance. You will
receive additional pay while serving in Vietnam; Hostile fire pay $65.00
per month; Family Separation pay (if married) $30.00 per month; and for
certain areas Cost of Living Allowance. (COLA). Amount varies with
rank but generally amounts to $30.00 for authorized EM.
TAX EXEMPTIONS
Warrant Officers and Enlisted personnel do not pay tax on income earned while serving in Vietnam. This exemption also applies to reenlistment bonus. Officers receive $500.00 per month exemption on taxable income while serving in Vietnam.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Can Tho - Religious services are held at Eakin Compound. Times are posted on the bulletin board in the Delta Hotel. Vinh Long and Soc Trang installations both have chapels. Services are conducted by chaplains assigned to this Battalion. Times of services are posted on unit bulletin boards.
TELEPHONE CONGESTION
The telephones are overly burdened with official business. Please use patience and consideration when using the phones. Do not pass the time of day on the phone, be brief, and hang up, someone else is waiting for the line. If the operator requests your line for a higher priority call, terminate your call immediately and relinquish the line. Do not argue with the operators. They are only doing their jobs and carrying out instructions.
PERSONAL SECURITY
Only you can prevent terrorist activities. Avoid off limits areas. Do not travel alone. Instead, employ the buddy system. Keep your eyes open and remain alert for hostile acts. Do not travel in crowds. When you gang up you are a target of opportunity. You are prohibited from participating in public rallies, gatherings, or demonstrations. Stay alert, do not become incapacitated through excessive use of alcohol. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.
OFF LIMITS AREAS
Off limits areas are posted in each unit headquarters area. You are responsible to familiarize yourself with those areas and to avoid them. Those areas have been put off limits to protect you. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against individuals who are observed in off limits areas.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
A generous currency exchange program for US servicemen has been negotiated with the Republic of Vietnam. One dollar US is converted for 118 piasters, well above the legal unit rate of one dollar for 80 piasters. Possession of US "Greenbacks" is illegal. Only US legal tender is Military Payment Certificates (MPCs). The purpose of this program is to avoid inflation by keeping dollar instruments out of circulation, discourage black market activities, and to give US servicemen a more favorable exchange. You are required to exchange dollar instruments only through approved exchange sources. There is a Piaster conversion officer in each unit. Many clubs also serve as conversion points. Servicemen who patronize black marketeers are doing a disservice to their country and face heavy penalties under the code of military justice.
FIREARMS
All personnel continually must practice safety in handling of firearms. All privately owned weapons will be registered with the provost marshal. Individuals possessing private firearms will comply with USARV Reg 210-5, 20 Jan 1966. Private firearms will be stored in unit supply rooms, and may not be retained by individuals. Personnel who arrived in the command after 1 March 1965 are not authorized to purchase locally or to import firearms except on written approval of COMUSMACV. Personnel having personal firearms will apply for an export license for all firearms to be removed from Vietnam, paragraph 5c, USARV Reg 210-5.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal assistance to include a notary public service is available to Delta Battalion members through the Judge Advocate General Officer in Can Tho, phone 167. He will render advice on matters such as federal and state income taxes, wills, powers of attorney, indebtedness, affidavits, adoptions, and divorces. Civil actions should be brought to the attention of the legal officer.
UNIFORM
DUTY: The regular fatigue or lightweight tropical fatigue uniform are
the only uniform authorized for duty wear.
OFF DUTY: Personnel are encouraged to wear civilian clothing while
off duty. Civilian clothing or short sleeve khakis is the only authorized
clothing for off duty wear in the Saigon area.
R&R: Personnel departing on R&R will wear short sleeve khakis.
CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
All personnel will be given a security briefing within three days after arrival in country. Each individual is charged with safeguarding defense information. Loose talk can supply the enemy valuable information. Enemy agents are skilled and well trained and can build a complete story on scraps of information. Handle all classified documents in accordance with AR 380-5. Avoid discussions of military matters, your job, numbers of personnel, aircraft, weapons, etc.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Special services activities at each installation in the Delta are for your off duty enjoyment. Activities available include swimming pool, tennis courts, libraries, tape libraries, photo labs, volley ball courts, and theater. You are encouraged to make use of these activities. Any suggestions you have for improvement of existing facilities or additional activities should be reported to your unit special services officer or unit commander.
TREATMENT OF POW'S
Compliance with the Geneva Prisoner of War conventions of 1949 is mandatory.
You will disarm your prisoner, immediately search him thoroughly, require
him to remain silent, segregate, guard carefully and take him to the place
designated by your commander. If he is wounded, seek medical treatment
for him. Mistreatment of any captive is a criminal offense.
YOU are personally responsible for the enemy in your hands. All persons
in your hands, whether suspects, civilians, or combat captives will be
protected against violence, insults, curiosity and reprisals of any kind.
Do not take any personal effect, which does not have significant military
value.