Evening star., 1942-08-23
Army Plans 10 Build
Reservoir Of Men
With Technical Skill
Pre-lnduction Truinino
Will Be Given Mainly
At Secondary Schools
BY NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.

IN SSSSItSA'/ S\uO0iS
BY NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.
Faced with growing shortage of
soldiers with induction training
in the skilled trades, the War De-
partment disclosed last night it has
arranged to utilize the Nation S
schools and colleges in building up
huge reservoir of properly trained
personnel to meet the needs of a
highly technical and mechanized
Army.
Before it was planned to build the
Army to 1900 900 men by the end
of this year, there was no real prob
lem in getting skilled mechanics and
occupational specialists. But as the
Army expands, the shortage of men
trained in the mechanism Of auto
mobiles. tanks and signal devices is
becoming acute, Army officials said.
Without pre-induction training,
the Army must use valuable time,
men and facilities to ground newly
inducted men in various skills. Need
for pre-induction training is illus
trated in figures which show that
out OF every 100 men entering the
Army today, about SO are assigned
to duties requiring specialized train
ing.
Use Secondary Schools.
With this in mind, voluntary
training program will be inaugurated
this fall in collaboration with the
United States ONCE OF Education.
While colleges are included, the
principal aim is to mobilize facilities
of secondary and vocational schools
to train high school students and
older men whose induction has been
deferred because of educational de-
ficiencies and occupational special
lists.
The plan would 60 far in reducing
the amount OF training necessary
for selectees after their induction
and permit the Army instructors to
concentrate on combat training and
combat applications OF the various
technical specialties of modern war
fare.
The course will not include mill
tary tactics or training but will
cover generally, first aid, blue print
reading, anatomy, principles of me-
chanics, pre-hight aeronautics, shop
work, fundamentals Of radio, auto
mobile mechanics, electrical and
metal shop work. Physics, chem
istry and mathematics, which Army
officials long have complained are
stumbling blocks to so many college
men receiving commissions. also will
be Included IN the courses.
Bottom Of the Barrel.
]. p. Mitchell. head OF the Civilian
Personnel Division, Services of Sup
ply, will direct the objectives Of the
program for the Army.
IF we had an Army of only
100000 men," he said last night,
I'VE would be able to take in the
cream Of the educated men. But
as the Army expands, the sup
ply of skilled mechanics and spe-
cfahsts is being exhausted and we
are now scraping the bottom
The Navy Department has been
taking part in the discussions, but
officials explained that the program
Is designed for the Army.
The program Is only a small part
OF Mr.. Mitchell's job. He also di-
rects the labor relations for $50 900
civilian employees of the Services of
Supply. He was brought here by 1t.
Gen. Brehon B. Somervell. Mr..
Mitchell formerly handled labor re-
lations for the WPA in New York
under Gen. Somervell.
Federal funds are available
through the Of1ice Of Education for
defraying the expenses Of the pre-
induction training. The Army is
not going to finance any of the
equipment needed" Mr.. Mitchell ex-
planned.
Win Start Literacy Classes.
Part-time literacy classes in read
ing, writing and arithmetic also will
be inaugurated this fall for selective
service registrants whose induction
has been deferred because of these
deficiencies. The classes will be
started in the regions where Hit
eracy is heaviest.
Students successfully completing
the pre-induction training courses
will be given certificates to be sub
mitted at Army reception centers.
where previous training is consid-
cred In classifying and assignments
to duty.
Before Gen. Somervell worked
out details of the program, Mr..
Mitchell said, the War Department
first surveyed the occupational
needs Of the Army in terms of re-
quired skills.
I'VE hope to get every high school
In the country to teach basic studies
that will fit students for the highly
specialized needs of the Army" Mr..
Mitchell said. by directing studies
IN the secondary schools along
channels, it will be easier to build
this human material up to our
standards"
Gen. Somervell, in an explana-
tory statement, declared that I'VE
recognize the necessity of founda-
ton OF diversified training as the
basis Of an efficient army"