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The S4 is the battalion logistics officer and has staff responsibility for the logistic services and facilities available to the battalion.

These are supply, transportation, maintenance, logistics plans and records, and other matters in the field of logistical support.

He determines supply and other service support requirements and prepares the logistical estimate and logistical administrative plans.

Advises the commanding officer on all logistical matters.

The S4 accomplished the following tasks;

Maintains equipment readiness reports.

Monitors support of units or attachments.

Monitors the tactical situation.

Supervises use of transportation assets.

Prepares for future operations.

1967 CPT George A. Sunderland

1968 CPT William Pritchard

1968 CPT Alfred A. Alexander

1969 CPT Harold D. Lockhart

1970 CPT Virgil L. Sprayberry

CPT Surry P. Everett

1970 CPT Paul B. Hughes

1971 1LT Thomas E. Reynolds

S-4 We Care

Like the 'Bushwhacker' sign at B Company when I was the company commander, this started out as a joke. Which I no longer remember all the details of.

Photo Courtesy of CPT Lockhart

I think we were taking some flak as do-nothing, know-nothing, uncaring staff (the usual stuff).

I resented it since we were out swapping mortar rounds for jeeps, for camouflage fatigues; requisitioning equipment we weren't authorized but needed, and doing the best we could with what we had; and generally violating or bending every regulation we could find to keep the materials that the men needed coming in.

In other words, doing what every other S-4 shop did. Anyway, one day the sign 'appeared'. We had fun with it, answering the phone ....'S4...We care.'

CPT Harold “Hal” Lockhart (LTC Ret.), Commanding Officer B Company & HQ Detachment S-4, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, March 1969 to March 1970.

You Got To Care Sir

I remember when headquarters instituted a policy whereby when an enlisted man approached an officer he was to salute and say ...."You got to care sir".... and the officer was to return the salute and say ...."Charge on troop".... Most of the officers would give you a dirty look if you tried it though. It must have been about the time CPT Lockhart put up the sign.

SGT Robert Plumlee, HQ Detachment S4, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, September 1969 to November 1970.

You Want It You Got It

It took a little effort, but we managed to get our office (and a few others) air conditioned during my tour.

All air conditioners that the US Army brought in to the country were 220 vac. Only offices with Lieutenant Colonels (LTC) and above were allowed to have air conditioners, consequently PA&E (Pacific Architects and Engineers) only provided those buildings with LTC and above with 220 vac electrical service; all other buildings were wired for 110 vac.

Photo Courtesy of SGT Plumlee

The additional circuit to make a 220 vac service was already on the pole and by dropping one additional wire from the pole to any 110 vac building, you could have the appropriate service for an air conditioner.

Since the S4 Officer In Charge (OIC) was a Captain, we did not have an air conditioner and our building was not wired for one.

We set out to remedy that... The air conditioner was fairly easy to procure (if you knew who to deal with) and installation wasn't that difficult.

The boys in communications had already agreed to climb the pole and hook it up for us if we would help them with their AC projects, but when they came over to finish the job, it was determined that they could not do it because the circuit was hot and could not be shut off.

After a quick course in pole climbing, I undertook the job. My safety belt consisted of two MP belts buckled together and we found some wrenches down at the motor pool. The wiring was completed with little incident and we enjoyed our AC for the duration of my tour.

Hopefully it continued to serve those who followed us.

SGT Robert Plumlee, HQ Detachment S4, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, September 1969 to November 1970.