Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-11-29
Navy Plans 10 Send
500 WAVES 10 Air
School Each Month
Comdr. McAfee Weighs
Bosic Training Courses
For Enlisted Personnel

In line with the program OF eX-
pansion, it is probable that more
than 500 members of the WAVES
eventually will be sent each month
to aviation schools throughout the
country for training in aviation
work, 1t Comdr. Mildred McAfee,
director OF the Women's Reserve of
the United States Naval Reserve,
said yesterday.
They will take the same courses
as men, but possibly may be segre-
gated, she added.
The WUmen'S Reserve will open
its first basic training school for
enlisted personnel December Is at
Iowa STATE Teachers College, with
a capacity enrolment of 1000.
Four TO Six Weeks Course.
The trainees will receive a four to
6 weeks indoctrination course, full
uniform equipment and all the va
rieties of lnoculation and vaccina-
ton. Comdr McAfee pointed out
that plans have been announced for
the mid-January opening of a school
for 400 enlisted personnel at Geor-
gia STATE Teachers College.
The largest request from the
Navy is for aviation personnel u
Comdr. McAfee said There Is no
question but that We need more
persons for aviation. work than in
any other single field.7
A major personnel problem con-
fronting the Navy as well as indus
try today is whether women have
dexterity and mechanical aptitude.
The popular assumption that men
are more mechanically gifted than
women, Comdr McAfee considers,
has been challenged by the excel
lent work done by women in fac
tories
Comdr. McAfee finds women's pa
triotism a source of great inspira-
ton.
Il feel very strongly that the mo-
tive of women who join the military
services is basically that of pure
patriotism" she said After all,
there is no professional future in
enlistment because the law provides
that the CORPS be dissolved not later
than six months after cessation Of
hostilitieS."
Record of Discipline.
She said she also believes that
women's record in Navy service so
far repudiates general criticism Of
women as undisciplined.
Asked how she felt about return
ing some day to the presidency OF
Wellesley College, Comdr. McAfee
said:
TT will be extremely exciting.
The more I see of this work, the
more I believe in the vital impor-
lance of things happening in col
leges. Women have been asked to
come into the military world. 1t
is a new world and it needs women
who are adaptable. who can make
wise choices, and who can see all
things in proper perspective. 1t is
very interesting to see how the
educated worker makes effective ad-
justmcnts. Here in the WAVES we
need trained minds. Therefore COL
leeeS who produce people of good
minds and who know how to use
them. are of the essence of impor-
lance"
Asked whether the WAVES will
stick to their 20-year minimum age
limit, Comdr McAfee said: I'VE are
not doing any undergraduate enlist
ment at present but we realize the
supply is there, ready and available.
1t is possible that if age require
mentS were changed downward. it
might be wise to go into the under
graduate field, but we are not pre-
pared to do so now"
New Handbook Issued.
The Navy is accelerating its drive
for WAVES to the extent of issuing
new handbook of information,
trying to get illustrative posters,
and planning to increase the stats
of women answering questions in
procurement offices.
I'VE feel the major recruiting
program will come as women in
uniform are allocated throughout
the country and women's work in
the WAVES begins to show for
itself Miss McAfee said. Our
uniformed officers will 60 out and
speak before clubs and gatherings.
We are not earmarking people to
60 out and recruit"
The WAVES will stick to the reg
ulation prohibiting WAVE being
the wife of a Navy man she said.