It is neither wise nor necessary to send a soldier to the commander on all occasions, although the
command may be involved in the problem. In such cases the chaplain will advise the commander of the
situation, keeping in mind the commander's need-to-know. On the other hand, the chaplain will
safeguard all confidences entrusted to him or her.
In dealing with military problems such as transportation, finance, assignment, and reassignment,
the chaplain should not bypass the chain of command. The chaplains, as staff officers, work within the
military framework. Consequently, the immediate unit commander, or his representative, should be
involved in numerous referrals.
The Adjutant usually functions as the personnel officer in organizations patterned on the general
staff, as the secretary of the general staff, and as a member of the commander's personal staff. He
performs the personnel functions of those special staff officers who are not present in the small unit
staff, such as the adjutant general, inspector general, staff judge advocate, provost marshal and special
services officer. In the headquarters at division level or higher, the duties of the adjutant are taken over
by the assistant chief of staff for personnel (G1). The G1, operating on a higher level, will have
additional duties in the field of policy making. The G1 also has the general staff supervision of chaplain
activities.
The adjutant (or the G1) supervises the collection and evacuation of prisoners of war, the control
of civilians, and the care of displaced persons and refugees. The adjutant also secures and administers
indigenous labor, and is responsible for the supervision of morale activities. The adjutant supervises all
space allocations and areas for camps and bivouacs including the allocation of space to the command
staff sections. The adjutant is responsible for civilian schools on military reservations and for the
solution of many problems involving the education of dependent children.
The adjutant also has the responsibility of staff supervision for the educational development of
military personnel. This function is usually carried out at post level through civilian education advisors
and Army Education Center administrators. Such a program provides on-post education for military
personnel and their dependents and assistance to personnel desiring courses in civilian schools and/or
correspondence courses.
Any problem or activity in the above areas may appropriately be referred to or discussed with S1
(adjutant) or the G1 and subordinate officers.
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