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good, generally well-accepted food item will be poor if it is poorly prepared only one
time, and soldier acceptance of it will never recover.

    1.   Use regularly scheduled meal times if possible. Food intake is almost
always higher at anticipated meals compared to impromptu meals. Have as many
meals as possible at preset times that the soldiers know about. This applies to
snack breaks as well as major meals. Very late arrival of scheduled hot meals is
usually bad for morale.

    m.  Use a variety of foods and food items. Monotony will be the biggest
problem which develops over time. Almost anything different will help maintain food
intake, especially if it does not come in a green can or brown retort pouch.


HEAT ACCLlMATlON/PHYSICAL FITNESS

1.   Units which are on alert, or have been identified for future deployment,
should immediately optimize their physical training program and state of heat
acclimation (e.g., spend more time outside of air conditioned facilities).

2.   In terms of physical fitness, troops should not be allowed to physically
de-train either enroute (by ship) or once they arrive at their deployment site. The
degree of physical activity required at the deployment site is the key to
maintenance or loss of optimal fitness levels. Physical de-training can produce
decrements in fitness in about 2 weeks. If operations are conducted in static
positions (e.g., defense), it will be desireable to initiate some form of physical
training within one week.

3.   Maintenance-level running programs should be conducted in the evening or
at night when WBGT readings do not exceed accepted guidelines. WBGT
guidelines do not accurately forecast injury/illness rates under conditions of lower
temperatures and high humidity such as may be experienced in the early morning
hours in the desert; humidity levels over 75% contribute a substantial risk of heat
injury.

4.   Care should be taken to assure adequate hydration levels before beginning
an exercise period, especially prior to runs following a lengthy rest period (e.g.,
early morning runs).


FIELD SANITATION & VECTOR CONTROL

1.   All perishable and leftover food should be destroyed.

2.   Secure all water supplies and sources; potentially rabid dogs in Egypt were
fond of licking water at night from Lister bags and water bulls.


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