The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-04-09
RECEPTION CENTER


vice recruits of which l was g
member had been processed, we
: were ready to enter into what
shall probably prove to be the
most interesting adventure OF ou1
lives. We were about to become
soldiers in the United States ar
my. Behind us lay 100 years Of
honorable tradition; ahead OF us
lay more than three years OF SER
vice to our country at its most
critical time.
For the induction ceremony, ar
officer stepped out of the records
office at the Fort Bragg Recep-
ton Center and instructed all OF
us to raise our right hands and
repeat after him the oath OF at
! firmation: (for example) II, Ray
mond Lowery, do solemnly swear
that I will bear true faith and al
legiance to the United States OF
America; that I will serve them
honestly and faithfully against
all their enemies whomsoever for
period not exceeding three
wears and six months; that will
obev the President of the United
States and the orders of the OF
ficers appointed over me, accord
ing TO the rules and Articles of
War;"
Several men said it sounded
like marriage ceremony. To me
it was like getting married to
someone whom you had no desire
to wed, but under the clrcum-
stances felt as if it were neces-
sary.
While the records pertaining to
us were completed by a team OF
clerks, we got busy writing and
mailing home cards, informing
the family that we had been ac-
copied and that we had no idea
what our future address would
be.
Soon after our induction, our
records to date were checked o.
yer, and we were issued "dog
tags" These metal Identification
tags contain a soldiers name and
serial number and address of his
nearest relative. Throughout his
enlistment this tag hangs around
his neck by the tape that comes
with it. Not even when he takes
a shower does the soldier remove
his necklace" we were told.
Every man has to memorize his
serial number, so that he won't
have to grope in his shirt when
he is asked to give it. In fact, he
is asked to give his serial number
more often than his name and
rank.
Next came the highly impor-
tant business of classifying us.
We were taken into a room where
we were to be interviewed re-
garding our civilian backgrounds.
The young corporal who inter-
viewed me wanted to know all
about my eduction, my job, my
advocations, my athletic ability
practically niD, and so on.
This, together with an 10 test,
gives a pretty fair picture of the
recruit. Add physical exam,
which our group had received in
Charlotte a month before our in
duction, and they know all about
him, from bones out. Then they
can Judge where he will best fit
in.
The choice of where one is to
be placed is not his, however, but
the army's. They know where
the shortage is greatest in each
skill. Nevertheless, we were told,
it can do no harm to state what
ever preferences you may have.
One soldier is supposed to have
admitted to a classifying officer
that he was a burglar by profess
sion, although he had reformed
and was clear of the law. His
qualifications card never indicat-
ed his past profession, as the la
beled him independent promo
ter" Incidentally, it is said that
he later became a dependable
leader in the infantry.
I stated my preference as pub
lie relations work, whereupon
was given a tipping test and sur
prised even myself by getting 81
words minute. hunt and peck,
too.
The captain in the rear of the
building studied my qualifica-
TONS card few seconds, made
few notations along the mar
gins, and handed it back.
"Do you think I can get into
public relations, sir?" I asked.
"I'm recommending you for it,
ves" he said. He did not look