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 G0072 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.