CL prompt for variable

I have recently created several CLs to run IBM commands we do ALL THE TIME, 
in which many of the variables are preceeded with ?* for reference & some 
with ?? for each time slightly different.

I now have a situation in which I need to run a string of IBM commands with 
the same variable, so I want to input one value at run time & then use it in 
each of the commands in the string.

I can do a DDS screen to ask user to fill in blank with some variable name to 
be used on several CL commands.

Is there an IBM prompt to get at generic input to CL?

It won't let me CHGVAR
?*VAR(&NEW_NAME)
??VALUE('U_NAME_IT')
for example

MacWheel99@aol.com (Alister Wm Macintyre) (Al Mac)
AS/400 Data Manager & Programmer for BPCS 405 CD Rel-02 mixed mode (twinax 
interactive & batch) @ http://www.cen-elec.com Central Industries of 
Indiana--->Quality manufacturer of wire harnesses and electrical 
sub-assemblies - fax # 812-424-6838

+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---