Evening star., 1940-08-04
MANY Problems Confront Guard
On Eve Of Field Training
Despite increased Duties, Units
Ready to Move on Time

When the District National Guard
rolls out Of the city today, head
ing for the greatest peacetime ma
neuvers In which it has ever par
ticipated, 1t marks the end Of one
of the busiest fortnights in the his
tory Of the local organization. The
experience Of making preparations
Of going into the field with an
army was quite different from that
Of planning for the usual unit base
encampment. There were scores of
details to be completed, and with
messages flying back and forth be-
tween the Regular Army command
ers Of the large field force of which
the local brigade was q small part.
There were numerous problems Of
personnel to be considered, prob
lens which ordinarily are not pre-
sented just before an encampment
in normal peace times. Because of
the probability that the National
Guard will be called into the serv-
ice of the United States. at least
for period Of q year for intensive
training in the operations of mod
ern warfare, the officers faced the
problem Of dealing with an economic
situation. This involved discussion
with married men OF their RESPONSE
bilities, and whether their being
called into the service at the pay of
privates and nom commissioned Of
flcers would seriously affect the sup
port of their families or involve
them In financial difficulties because
Of liabilities assumed, based on their
pay in their civilian occupations.
While the War Department has
issued orders that such men should
be released, the local brigade off,
cials said that each man on en-
listment, If married, was required
to sign waivers as well as waivers
from his wife, that he would not
claim exemption in the event of a
call to the colors. But, it was point
ed out that possibly the status
of some of these men has changed
since they first signed their papers.
Many of them have taken on addi-
tional responsibilities, and possibly
have larger families than when they
first enlisted. Although the off,
cials undertook to take care Of this
situation in advance, it now appears
that the Army will take charge of
the matter and make sure that no
man will be called out whose serv-
ice might cause economic troubles
for himself and family, and add to
those in the community in which
he lives.
While it was said at brigade head
quarters that the matter of dis
charge had been officially called to
the attention Of a number of en-
listed men, 1t was indicated that
only a few wanted to be released.
1t was said a number of men in
sisted they did not want to be re-
leased at this time. This, 1t was ex-
planned, was due to a desire to 20
into the field for the annual field
training, but 1t was indicated that
the same men might take a differ
ent view of the situation, If they
realized that they were going to
have to take the Regular Army pay
for year.
The Army is not desirous of hav-
ing men with liabilities which they
cannot meet with the Army pay
In the service for training. Such
conditions usually cause such worry
that the men are unable to nerforn
their duties with satisfaction.
While the units were engaged in
this matter brigade headquarters
was faced with the problem of
making arrangements for the forma-
ton of a new unit in the Guard
Forming new units in ordinary
times, it was pointed out. is a
problem, but coming on the eve of
going into the field at a point hum
dreds of miles away from the home
station 1t provided plenty of work.