Evening star., 1942-04-12
Texans Train for Commands

ARLINGTON, Tex. April 1l.-If you're
ever In North Texas and find yourself
addressed in a high-pitched mumbo-
jumbo cackle by 6-foot husky, don't
be alarmed And If he should press the
button" in your shoulder blade and flip
you over a couple of times, don't be
angry.
Despite the vocal and physical evi-
dence, this big boy will not be an over
sized japanese out for a little friendly
shopping. Rather, he'll be a member
of the first Commando unit ever Or
ganized in an American college-at
North Texas Agricultural College at Ar
lington, between Dallas and Fort Worth.
One hundred and fifty of Texas smart
est, huskiest and keenest youngsters are
taking this course to out-Jap the willy
Jap. The study is patterned on the
English superflghters whose exploits
have made history in Norway. France
and North Africa. But there are enough
Texas touches retained so that the
whole program has = made-in-America
label.
Big, gruff, hearty Col Max G.. Oliver.
commander of N. T. A. C.'s military de-
partment, originated and directs the
Commando training program, and the
course Is about the toughest grind for
mind and body that can be devised for
young Americans Getting in shape to
make the varsity football team is simple
compared with the rigorous schedule
demanded Of q Commando trainee.
A 10-mile hike over rugged terrain
Just warns the boys up for tactical
exercises in the field. An intensive hour
or two of skull drill in the military
classroom likely will be followed by
session in Japanese wrestling.
Studying Japanese.
And don't forget that study In the
Japanese language. Greek or Latin Is
first-grade stuff compared with learning
to recognize and pronounce the 1000
or more ideographs necessary for
slight knowledge Of the Nipponese
tongue.
Teacher Of the course is Col. Oliver
himself, who became interested in the
language while on duty in Hawaii q
decade ago. II don't know Japanese.
because I wasn't born q JAP" he
chuckles, but did attend the University
Of Hawaii one year to find out some
thing about it"
Col. Oliver organized the Commando
unit shortly after Pearl Harbor at the
express demand Of the cadets, who want
ed something more than the regular
training schedule offers. It's strictly q
specialized course, but it offers full play
for the average lads desire to emulate
the pioneering deeds Of the American
frontiersman, while making full use of
the science of warfare as practiced by
modern, mechanical forces.
Col. Oliver hopes to turn out his f1n-
ished Commands as a combination OF
the best qualities of Davy Crockett,
Daniel Boone and Sergt. York, with
perhaps the piquant flavor Of the old
time Texas Ranger.
When Oliver called for volunteers
among the 1,100 cadets in college,
Junior branch Of famed Texas A. and M.
College-his only problem was one Of
elimination. He felt that the specialized
training would lose its value If handed
out to large groups, 50 he selected $50
Of the most promising.
In less than three months, these boys
Of l8 and 10 have learned the rudiments
OF stealthy travel through enemy coun-
try; they know how to scale natural and
man-made obstacles, how to live OF the
land, how to conceal their movements
They have training in silent attack on
sentry or patrol, individual reconnais-
sance and similar phases. Hours have
been spent in the night field operations
studying silhouettes of enemy planes
weapons and uniforms.
Not overlooking the amphibious char
acter of their missions, the cadet shock
troops soon will practice landing opera.
tions in flat-bottomed boats and rafts
in cooperation with naval unit ir
training Just over the county line a
Grand Prairie. Swimming Is essentia
for every trainee.
Learning Jujitsu.
To meet the peculiar necessities of al
attack on the japanese, particular EN-
phasis is placed in jujits' 18th offensive
ly and defensively. The study of th'
japanese language is given mainly IL
preparation for the day when vital mill
tary information may be wrung from {
captured Jap.
The jujitsu study was worked out b,
the cadets themselves, with the schoo
.