US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Bragg, NC)

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, W Views of Office of Military Personnel Branch Mejor Hochstim, Lt. Lamberth The establishment of the military Personnel Branch as a part of thc Personnel Division in August 1942, represented a consolidation into one department of all Military Person- 11el activities of the Army Service Forces at Fort Bragg. As such, the Branch took over the work that had been formerly carried on under the supervision of the Personnel Adjutant, a member of the S-l section of the Commanding Ceneral's staff. Major Henry S. Heath, present Director of the Per- sonnel Division, was the Chief of Branch until October, 19444, when he was succeeded by Major J. J. Hochstim, who had been Assistant Personnel Adjutant of Fort Bragg from early in 1942, and head of the Officers, Section since the organization of the Branch. Major Hochstim is aided in the discharge of his duties by Lieutenant Carl J. Lamberth, Assistant Chief of the Military Personnel Branch. Besides acting as the Unit Personnel Office for the de- tachment of Service Command Unit No. 1449, the Military Personnel Branch handles requisitions, assignments, re- assignments, promotions, and relief of military personnel for all Service Command installations on the Post. It prepares and maintains necessary records and reports, for all officers and enlisted men assigned to the Station Com- plement, including efficiency reports, classification Cards, service records, locator hles, strength reports, authorized allotments, payrolls and pay cards and the processing of various allowances, deductions and allotments.

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PEHSI1 I-ll. AFFAIRS BH!-1 EH Wfhe Army cares for its Ownn is the guiding motto for Personal Affairs Officers throughout the Army. Realizing that financial worries are too often the cause of low morale among soldiers, the Army has always striven to do its utmost in reducing these worries to a minimum. In March 194-2, a private charitable organization, the Army Emergency Relief, was formed to assist all military per- sonnel and their dependents in need of emergency financial relief. Soon thereafter Fort Bragg established an Army Emergency Relief Office coordinating its work with the activities of the American Red Cross, these two agencies being the only organizations ofhcially approved by the War Department to engage directly in welfare activities for military personnel. ln February of 1944 a'Personal Affairs Branch was established at Fort Bragg. Functions of this branch in- cluded the services rendered by the Army Emergency Be- lief and Captain H. A. L. Harvey, who initiated the re- lief work in 1942, became chief of the branch. He is presently assisted by Lieutenant Charles P. Bigo. The Personal Affairs Olhcer, who is always available, gives information and assistance on all matters pertaining to financial emergencies, pay and allotments, soldierls bene- fits, dependentis benefits, insurance, war bonds, or any other matter of a personal nature. He maintains liaison with all governmental and private agencies engaged in relief activities. Since its origin at Ft. Bragg, Army Emergency Relief has administered relief in more than 600 cases, involving expenditures of more than 334-0,000.00, over half of which has already been repaid. The Womenis Volunteer Committee on Personal Affairs, headed by Mrs. Lucille A. Cubbison as chairman, is com- posed of wives and relatives of army personnel. This Com- mittee renders valuable assistance to the Personal Affairs Oflicer in all matters requiring a woman's touchf, The Personal Affairs Officer is also the Post War Bond Officer and the Post Life Insurance Officer. He is respon- sible for the promotion and dissemination of information relating to those two subjects. Fort Bragg personnel have purchased approximately ffSf'l,000,000.00 in War Bonds in their effort to help win the war. Because civilian employees here have surpassed the goal of 9051! participation and 1022 gross pay deduction in the purchase of War Bonds, Fort Bragg is entitled to fly the lVlinute lVlan NT Hag. Over 97f,Z of military personnel at Fort Bragg have either National Service or U. S. Government Life lnsurance with an average policy of better than 359,500.00 Top to bottom: Capt. Harvey, Lt. Rigo .... Office employees .... Minute man T Flag Presentation .... Women's Volunteer Committee.

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MILITARY PEHSUNNEI. BBA EH The transfer of general prisoners for disciplinary action, the naturalization of aliens, and the processing of appli- cants fOl'k0fli.C61'S Candidate School are among other im- portant duties performed by the Branch. During the past two years approximately 20,000 officers and enlisted men have passed through Station Complement units to serve overseas or in other units within the United States. ln the same period over 3,000 men have been dis- charged from the Army for every conceivable reason. ln addition to the Omcers, and the Enlisted Menis Section. the Military Personnel Branch maintains a section which is directly responsible for the administration of all Army Service Force units at the Post as they prepare for overseas duty under Preparation for Overseas Movement and Prep- aration for Overseas Replacement regulations. The pro- curement of qualified personnel, and the reclassification and transfer of all disqualified personnel from these units during their organization phase is accomplished by this section. It also confers With these units and supervises the maintenance of all individual and organizational records and files, and checks their morning reports, sick registers, and other forms for correctness in content and form.