Wednesday, July 30, 2003

ITS CALLED QOL.

Quality of Life. And the brass seems to be taking it seriously in Iraq.

Of course - they need to.
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Commanders for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have new marching orders from their leader, Gen. David Petraeus: After getting the mission done, make quality of life a priority for your soldiers...

“Anything they can do, as long as it’s not illegal or dangerous,” is allowed, he said.

In Iraq, where summer temperatures soar to more than 120 degrees during the day and rarely drop below 90 degrees, even at night, the priorities are simple, Hodges said: Make sure there is enough power to air-condition sleeping quarters; there is running water for toilet and shower facilities; and there is plenty of clean, cool water.

“The goal is to get one refrigerator per platoon,” Hodges said.

Beyond those goals, Petraeus’ other metrics include Internet and telephone access, timely mail, and the chance every few days to purchase safe and tasty meals that bear no resemblance to Meals, Ready to Eat, Hodges said.

Troops should also be offered rest-and-relaxation trips, “so they sleep between sheets and shower eight times, if they want to,” Hodges said.

No comments: