What is a Military History Deployment Book?
A Deployment History Book is a pictorial history documenting major command missions, significant events, combat actions and the daily life of individual Soldiers that is focused on a specific period of command forward deployment.  A relatively new Army tradition, a Deployment Book is an “unofficial unit history”, created by Soldiers for Soldiers.  It most closely resembles a school yearbook and mirrors the Navy’s tradition of publishing a deployment “Cruise Book.”  (For more see:  http://www.cruisebookcentral.com )  Historically such books are created by units ranging from Company size up through the Brigade level and vary in length from 100 to 250 pages.
For a page by page example of an already published Deployment Book go to: http://www.deploymentbook.com/Flip_Book/sample_book.html

What do Army Regulations say?
Similar to the unit histories required by AR 870-5, Deployment Books are authorized unofficial unit histories paid for by individual members which “may be financed by non-appropriated funds under AR 215-1, if a personal copy is furnished to all members.”  (AR 870-5, para 6-5c)  In order to enhance troop morale, foster esprit de corps and strengthen unit cohesion, Commanders “are urged to prepare unofficial unit histories [Deployment History Books] and periodic supplements.  Many excellent histories have thus been prepared and made available to unit members, former members, and the public at large.” (Organizational History,  U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1999, page 8).  Indeed, Deployment Books are of such historical value that “A copy of each unit history will be forwarded upon publication to the U.S. Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5008, and the respective branch/history office.” (AR 870-5, para 6-5c).
For more information on Deployment History Books go to:
http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/ohpam.html and
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r870_5.pdf.  

Why should my Unit publish a Deployment History Book? 
The task of today’s leaders is to teach soldiers not only to match achievements of the past, but to surpass them.  Until each member of the Army can say, ‘I belong to the finest outfit in the world,’ the commander’s mission is not complete.  He or she must help each soldier assimilate the Army’s traditions and develop the esprit de corps that is vital for success on the battlefield.  As General of the Army George C. Marshall once said, ‘It is not enough to fight.  It is the spirit we bring to the fight that decides the issue.  It is morale that wins the victory.’” (Organizational History,  U.S. Army Center of Military History, 1999, page 1).

In short, a Deployment History Book would:
• Provide a permanent Record of your deployment’s contribution to history that will simultaneously enhance unit integrity, morale and     esprit de corps.
• Provide the individual Soldier with a keepsake to help explain to family and friends what occurred during the long months away from home. 
• Provide the Command with a document to explain the deployment mission and enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of the unit’s contribution to our national security.
• Provide the Veteran with a historical tool in later years to recall the faces of fellow soldiers, to reconcile the most personal memories of combat action and to relive the pride of missions accomplished.
• Provide command Historians and Associations with a lively pictorial account of the deployment, depicting momentous events, major combat actions as well as the day-to-day life of the individual soldier.
• Provide a visual record to recall the people, cultures and places encountered during forward deployments in service to the country.
• Provide a fitting Memorial, a respectful Requiem for those heroes, those friends who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

In short, a Military Deployment History Book is not only each Soldier’s personal memento, but it also provides a factual document to tell the command’s deployment history, supporting the individual Soldier’s recollections while enhancing the public’s understanding and appreciation for the command’s gallant actions while deployed “in harm’s way”.   You have already invested command resources in supporting your Unit History; why not make it more accessible to your Soldiers?  Why wouldn’t you want to initiate such a “cutting edge” publication for your Command, its Soldiers and the Families at home?

Who should Create my Unit’s Deployment History Book?
Depending upon the size of the unit and the resources available, most Commanders assign an officer, usually a Captain or Major, to lead and coordinate the development of their Deployment History Book.  If a Public Affairs Officer is not assigned, this important task is often given to the Unit Historian, Intelligence Officer or another knowledgeable Staff Officer.  From the Commander and Command Sergeant Major on down to Company Commanders, First Sergeants and Platoon Sergeants . . .  full support by the entire Chain of Command is critical to the success of the project.  The designated “Deployment History Book Officer” would then lead and organize a committee of representatives from subordinate units (company, squadron, battery or platoon) in the gathering of photographs, creation of historical content, and book design, layout, marketing and sales.  Upon final approval by the Unit Commander, the finished product would then be submitted to the publisher for actual publication.  For more detailed information on how to organize your publication efforts and the robust field support assistance available from Walter’s publishing, see:  (link to the Dog Tag Deployment History Manual).