Military police units are assigned to the TRS for one specific
purpose: the protection and security of trains and their lading. The
MP's guard trains and freight en route, and guard cars or trains in
rail yards. Traincrews and guards work closely together; maximum
cooperation between them is necessary to provide adequate railway
security.
2.11. CIVILIAN AGENCIES
The transportation railway service coordinates its rail
operations with civilian railway agencies. Coordination normally
begins with the start of military railroad operations and ends only
when United States forces leave the theater. During the planning
stage of a phase II operation, this coordination is particularly
important since civilians will be used in running the railroad and a
good relationship must be established for the later phase III
operation.
Those working with civilian railroaders should have been
instructed in personnel management. Sound management principles are
the same anywhere in the world; praise and fair treatment get the
same reaction from people everywhere. Before assuming supervisory
duties, those in the TRS who will work with local civilians should
become familiar with their habits, customs, laws, language, religion,
and economic and political views. Supervisors will then better
understand why the civilians work the way they do. For example, if
men don't appear for work on a particular day, it may be a religious
holiday; if they take time out at a definite period each day, it may
be the customary tea or siesta time. These breaks must be known and,
if possible, allowed for even if the volume of work is reduced
because of them.
2.12. SUMMARY
A good working relationship must be maintained between the
transportation railway service and other military agencies and
commands. Each assists the other. The theater army support command
is a major subordinate command of theater army that has six commands
to carry out its mission. The personnel command provides general
support personnel, administrative, and other such services to the
theater. The medical command's ambulance trains are pulled by TRS
motive power. The TRS schedules, operates, and maintains the trains.
Such maintenance is taken care of by ambulance train maintenance
units. The TRS depends on the engineer command to construct,
rehabilitate, and perform major maintenance on military rail lines
and such facilities as bridges, tunnels, and roadbeds. After
making a reconnaissance of rail lines, the TRS develops plans
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