Imperial Valley press., 1918-09-06

| as the recruit progress through tn
various stages mapped out for him
these blanks are filled, one after an
other, with notes that indicate hi:
progress.
The tags are numbered serially anc
according to the numbers given OF
them the recruits are divided intt
companies, the first $50 into the first
company, from PSI to 500 into the
second company, and so on, so thai
n mans camp serial number indicates
instantly to which company he be-
longs.
The first paper filled out for the
recruit after he has received his tag
is a "mail card" on which his full
name, home address and camp ad-
dress are places. This goes to the
camp mail detachment, which uses
it to see that he gets mail from home
p or pity and without confusion.
While all this apparently is very
complicated, system has reduced it
to such an orderly process that il
takes very little time-not enough to
warrant putting it off for a meal OF
for rest after the recruits journey.
Next on the program is the medical
examination, where more than 47C
doctors, housed in five buildings and
a number of tents, test each rescruit
for every possible physical unfitness
and board of specialists makes sure
,hat he is sound mentally. In the
course of this, too, he is measured by
SPECIALISTS to determine what size
shoes he shall wear. and that size is
entered upon his record so that he
never can obtain any other.
From medical examination head
quarters man may go but two ways,
for while he may be held for obser-
vation, the observation office is in
the examination buildings and obser-
vation never lasts more than a few
hours. Near the end of the medical
examination offices are two doors
marked discharge and "Muster."
They are the only exits from the Of
fees. If at any stage man is found
physically unfit for service, that fact
is noted on his tag and he is sent up
to the discharging office, where an
officer relieves him from further du-
ty. No discharged man is permitted
to remain long in camp. Few men
will be here more than two days, all
told, unless they are accepted as SOL
diers.
Normally the stream of recruits
flows through the door marked
Muster" which leads to an office
where each recruit receives an army
serial number and from which he goes
a soldier.
Then comes the interview with the
personnel board and this is the only
place along the route from civil life
TO military service where the process
of induction becomes acutely individ
ual. No factory methods are uset
here. Officers take the men one a.
a time and question them CAREFUL!
and at length as to their vocationa
experience, their dependents and othel
vital facts, many of them confiden
tial.
Several days later the insurance ant
allotment board explains to the re
cruit what provision he may max
for the support of his dependents an
takes his application for a govern
ment allowance at present and wa
risk insurance policy in future, shoul
he need it. Then the psychological
board tests the general knowledge o
the recruit, tries out the speed wit
which his mind acts. and compare
; him with his fellows.
/, Minor machines, one in each com
, pany street, provide the recruit cloth
ing and shoes. These he is require
: to put on at once. Tags, string an
j wrapping paper are provided for hin
r TO tie up his old civilian clothing, an
this he is required TO send home o
: otherwise dispose of Immediately, a
. no soldier may have such in his pos
] session. ..l
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