The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-07-01

BY Rose CALLAHAN
Perhaps you've heard some of the
vicious rumors recently circulated
about widespread, sordid miscon-
duct among the WAACs. Well, stop
listening. Take it from this recent
WAAC-for "a week that the Wo-
mems Army Auxiliary Corps is one
OF the cleanest living, hardest work
ing, most sacrificing-and happiest
groups of women in the nation.
They are a cross section of this
country's normal, healthy, spirit
ed women who have joined the
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
to help get this war over so we
can all get back to our homes and
jobs and help build better world"
These women have willingly
given up dozens of civilian privi-
leges and hundred everyday COM
forts because they know that by so
doing it will release soldiers to join
their husbands, brothers, sweet
hearts or sons at the fighting fronts.
NO WORRIES, ANYWAY
Their life isn't an easy one. It's
tough, demanding and firing. But
it's healthful, without Wor
about bills and budgets, and is full
of the sort Of satisfaction that
comes from doing good and
worthy job.
I've just returned from week
OF basic training with the WAACs
at the Third Training Center at
Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. A week of
days chock full of rising at 5:45
a. M, doing KIP, cleaning barracks,
falling in for inspection and falling
out for mess, physical training,
close -order drill, retreat formation,
and intelligence, aptitude and ply
steal examinations. In the so-called
leisure hours before 9 o'clock lights
out, did my washing, pressing and
letter writing along with the reg
ular trainees.
1t was week of living in close
quarters with 40 girls on my bar
racks floor, with never a moment
of privacy. And although it sounds
improbable, there wasn't one cross
word spoken. That's one for the
books of those who say women
can't get along together.
RESENT RUMORS
The life, I soon discovered. is
not for the frivolous. It's one that
only women with lot of purpose
and determination can take. And
they're boiling mad about h
stories of their alleged misconduct
which have been spreading across
the country as fast as back fence
gossip along any Main Street.
Not only are they mad but in
credulous that such talk is given
credence.
Il have letter from my moth
er here" one rosy-cheeked trainee
in her early 30's showed me as we
strolled away after mail call, land
she is terribly upset about what
people are saying. The whole story
Is ridiculous. Do you know that I
haven't had date or even been off
the post since I arrived here four
weeks ago."
And such is the case of many.
Going down to the Post Exchange
for bit of gossip and a super
duper sundae, then over to the Day
Room recreation room, to YOU'D for
a game of ping pong is the extent
of the big doings of many of the
$500 traineeS at Fort Oglethorpe.
FEW OFFENSES
When I asked Col. Hobart B.
Brown, the post commandant and
a former cavalry and infantry Of
ficer of World War I, just how
great were his disciplinary prob
lens, he promptly replied, "About
one-tenth of one percent of the
command" He opened a drawer of
his desk. pulled out the weekend
report of misdemeanors, and went
over them with me.
For the most part the M. P.s'
complaints against the girls were
for overstaying their passes be-
cause they had missed the bus back
to camp. Actually, there were only
eight more serious complaints -
eight girls out of $500 who had
GIGS Government Issue Gripes)
against them.
There is no guard house for way
ward WAACs. There is no need for
one, Colonel Brown said proudly.
Ordinary punishment is confine-
ment to post and removal of pri-
When it Is found. as it has
been occasionally, that girl isn't
willing to live up to the high stan
dards of the WAACs, immediate
action is taken to have her ousted,