living quarters for Army Nurse Corps officers throughout the command varied from tents to tropical buildings, to villas and trailers. Major difficulties were experienced by various units in obtaining items of furniture, such as chests of drawers, mirrors, washing machines, dryers, etc.; however, progress was made in resolving these shortages. The requirements for nurse anesthetists increased because of the change in type of patients admitted to the medical facilities in Vietnam and because of the additional medical units. The shortages of nurse anesthetists throughout the uniformed services was cause for concern and special effort was being made to analyze retention and training factors. 1969 Mission and Functions Throughout 1969, the mission of the 44th Medical Brigade was to provide medical service support to United States Army personnel, Free World Military Assistance Forces personnel, and other categories of personnel as directed, and to provide hospitalization, medical and surgical care to Vietnamese civilians injured as a result of hostile action. The 29 Specified functions of the brigade remained unchanged from 1967 and 1968. Organization of Groups and Major Subordinate Units The year 1969 was a period of reorganization, consolidation, and realignment for 44th Medical Brigade units. A major consolidation of medical groups occurred on 15 June 1969 when the 55th Medical Group was reduced to zero strength and equipment status. The 43d Medical Group assumed command and control of all 55th Medical Group units. At the end of 1969, the majority of 44th Medical Brigade units were deployed by geographical area under the control of three medical groups: The 67th Medical Group in I Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ) with headquarters at Da Nang, the 43d Medical Group in II CTZ with headquarters at Nha Trang, and the 68th Medical Group responsible for medical care in III and IV CTZs with headquarters at Long Binh. During 1969 the 20th Preventive Medicine Unit and the 172d Preventive Medicine Unit were removed from the direct control of the brigade headquarters and reassigned along with their subordinate units to medical groups. S-1 On 1 January 1969, the S-1 section consisted of an S-1 and five commissioned branch chiefs: officer personnel, enlisted personnel, manpower control, morale and welfare, and the Information Office. Ten enlisted personnel were also assigned. With the arrival of an Adjutant General Corps (AG) Reenlistment Officer on 31 January, the Reenlistment Branch was established. The branch consisted of the reenlistment officer; two career counselors