Evening star., 1943-06-28
(Second OF a Series.)
BY MARION WADE DOYLE,
Star Staff Ccrresnondsnt

star star Correspondent.
FORT OGLETHORPE. GA, June
28.-The WAACS are indignant and
hurt by accusations of immortality
among them. I found that out dur
ing six days as a WAAC in bar
racks here.
Fifteen newspaperwomen were
enrolled as WAAC recruits just after
a storm of criticism of the con-
duct of the WAACS.
Cant you tell people we're not
anything like that?' pleaded two
Of my barracks mates-when they
found I was a reporter.
What gets me-" added a WAAC
Of Cincinnati. when are we sup
posed to do all this immortality?
ask you!"
I still wanted to find out myself
about the conduct of the WAACS
got my chance at Saturday night
dance after the grueling military
week had officially ended.
Warned on Makeup.
There's a new bunch of boys in
from manuveurs." an auxiliary said
The service club ought to be good
tonight. Want to Gomez"
So I went. But not till after a
day OF K. P. and latrine duty, stand
ing inspection, an hour of physical
training, and marching about 10
miles to classes and meals.
Don't put too much makeup on" /"
warned WAAC as We finally came
back to barracks to get ready for
the dance. IF it's conspicuous
they make you wipe it of. Regula-
tons" I had gotten out of the
habit of lipstick during the week.
Wipe it off," was the order three
times day in the messhall. The
sterilizers cannot remove lipstick
from the big Army drinking mugs.
All-Khaki for Dance.
I smeared plenty on but it didn't
help much. I still had the straight
brimmed hat, the khaki shirt. the
skirt and stockings. The under
wear is khaki. too. Khaki from
head to foot and going to dance!
We walked over to the service
club, nearly a mile. in the sitting
heat. The club was even hotter in
side. I had meant to be as alluring
as possible but instead I just sat on
a couch and felt sleepy.
Suddenly a voice drawled. Coke,
Wacky?" There stood tall. blue
eyed private with teasing smile on
his face and two bottles of cold
soft drink in one hand. I made
room for him to sit down.
Ten weeks on maneuvers." he
said softly. Boy. this is paradise" "
Don't you mind all these girls
wearing this khaki stuff instead of
pretty things?" He turned and
gave me a slow look.
Walk Amid M. P.'s.
Ten weeks" he said, "is a pretty
long time"
After we had decided it was too
hot to dance. he suggested walk.
Not much fun" he said. Too
many M. Ps. But it's cooler"
So we strolled up and down a
road that looked like F street on
a Thursday shopping night. Dis
persed between the couples were
wAAC M.Ps. wearing white belts
and whistles.
They're watching our hands"
said the soldier wearily. IF I tried
to hold your hand there'd be the
devil to pay"
What do you mean, devil?" I
asked
"Oh. they'd take you home or
something" ne said.
"Oh. we'll, that's the Army, I
guess"
Offers Advice.
Finally I got so sleepy I could not
hold up my end Of the conversa-
ton any longer. With dozens Of
other couples we turned to go back
to the service club. He glanced at
me several times and then blurted: ::
Want some advice?"
Sure" said.
Your tie," he said. ut looks
terrible"
He retied it for me. I said good
by to him at the service club door.
With Dorothy Brodsky of Washing
ton I began to walk back to the
barracks. But we were separated in
the crowd and suddenly I discovered
I didn't know the way back in the
dark. All the barracks looked alike
and all the "catwalks" looked like
my catwalk.
Tiptoes to Barracks.
Three quarters Of an hour later
I started YEARLY down my own
catwalk. My heavy Service shoes
echoed On the wood. took them