Evening star., 1943-04-18

Col. Carmody was concerned about some
of the stories going around about the
WAACS. Also he likes his assignment.
II am sure they come straight from the
German line" he said, "but some of the
stories about these girls are vicious"
He scotched the one about the perma-
nent residents at Daytona resenting the
WAAC invasion. "They treat us very
we'll here" he said. But some of the sex
angles were not so pleasant. II am sure
they can be traced directly back to
German origin" he said.
The pay of the WAAC is regular Army
pay. Privates, called auxiliaries, get $50
a month. The rate of compensation
parallels Army pay all along the line.
The chief leader, who is the equivalent
of the sergeant-major, gets s138 month.
But the names of rank are different. A
first officer in the WAAC corresponds
to captain in the mems Army. A sec
ond officer is a first lieutenant and a
WAC third officer corresponds to a
second lieutenant. Food, clothing, hous-
ing and medical and dental care all are
provided. Clinics for treatment of minor
scattered through the area. II serious
troubles develop the girls get first-rate
care. Almost all of big civilian hos
pltal west of the town has been taken
over by the WAACS. Here any kind of
medical care, with talented and skilled
physicians in attendance, can be given.
Rigorous Training
The training is tough. The girls real
lie they are in the Army soon after they
are sworn in and while they are being
indoctrinated with the military idea.
Here is the schedule of typical WAAC
day: to 8:45 am, dismounted drill;
8:55 to $40, more dismounted drill; $50
to 10:35, organization of the WAAC and
the Army, military sanitation; $50 to
11:30, military discipline and courtesy;
1l:30 to l, mail call and chow time;
las to 3:45 military sanitation, organ
ization of the WAAC and the Army, mill
itary courtesy and discipline; 3:45 to
430; physical training. Other courses
include safeguarding of military informa-
ton, drill in current events and classes in
specialized subjects.
The girls are learning to be airplane
spoilers, radio technicians, motor vehicle
maintenance experts and drivers; stenog-
pliers, experts in Army administration Of
all kinds. You don't grin when they use
the phrase: 1--WE can do anything man
can do
Most impressive Of the military spec
tacles is the battalion retreat, with band.
No military unit ever marched with
more precision, more elan, than the
girls in WAAC uniform. They swing
along behind the band, feet beating
perfect cadence on the soft sand, hum
dreds of hands swinging as one. If you
/. are sentimental, lump comes in your
throat. You salute, hat on chest, and you
would like to tell the world how proud
you are to be an American, national of
country that produces women such as
these, trains them and turns them out to
replace fighting men.
There are some WAACS around WASH
ington, working in the big Offices where
the war is being won on the typewriter
front. They are only the advance guard
of the Army to come. Soon there will be
many more. Some are serving at various
posts in this country; few detachments
are with the Army abroad.
How do you feel about becoming
member of the Army?" asked an officer.
They are auxiliaries now, but bill is
pending in Congress to take the word
auxiliary" out and make them really
members of the great organization that
is the American Army.
I'VE can't watt" she said. THE sooner
the better. Not that we object to the
term auxiliary. but most of us feel we
should actually be part of the Army"