Evening star., 1946-02-15
|4-Fs 10 Fill Bulk
'0f Army Order
For $4,000 Men
Physical Standards
Cut to Meet Need;
Navy Reduces Points


Under the spur of meeting
newly lowered Army physical
standards, .selective Service
boards today were preparing to
dip heavily into reserve pools of
young 4-Fs to supply the Army
with an additional $4,000 men
over the regular call for $4,000
in April.
In announcing it's decision last
night to lower physical oualifica-
tions, the War Department said it
hoped by this means to insure in
duction of the $4,000 men the ARMY
needs from selective service in the
first five months of this year.
This number is required in addi-
ton to enlistments to fill mobiliza-
ton commitments by providing re-
placements for men eligible for dis
charge" it was said.
Navy, Marines Cut Points,
While the Army was figuring out
methods of getting requirements.
the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine
Corps announced further reductions
In their point scores for discharge.
The Marine Corps dropped its
score from As to AZ points, effective
March /, clearing the way for the
discharge of 5000 male officers and
enlisted men.
The Navy continued its biweekly
point cuts to make 1890 officers
and 153 500 enlisted men and women
eligible for discharge by May 2.
Coast Guard Steps Up Plan.
The Coast Guard change, effective
today. reduces the discharge scores
of male officers from Il to 40: of
SPAR officers from 80 to %; of en-
listed men from 38 to So and of
SPAR enlisted personnel from "A
to %.
Approximately 1000 enlisted per-
sonnel and 220 officers are affected
by the new order, which does not
point reductions for yeomen.
storekeepers and pharmacists mates.
Coast Guard officials said the re-
ductlon came two weeks ahead of
schedule and was made possible by
the success of its recruiting CAM
paign.
Draft Boards to Review Gases.
To pave the way for stepped-up
inductions into the Army in April.
selective service notified its draft
boards to review the cases of 2-CLs
darmers with physical defects; q
AIS toccupationally deferred men
with physical defects and AIS who
nave previously been found qualified
for limited service.
A selective service Official ex-
planned that the lowered physical
standards were similar to those pre-
viously in effect for limited service
men. The Army, however. has taken
no limited servicemen since June
1874, and the men have been going
into 4-F.
1t was explained that putting
limits on the number of cases to be
reviewed would save draft boards
looking through the files of 1.25o. 900
AIS to get the number the ARMY
wants. Men previously examined
the selective service official said, will
not be re-examined but will be put
In Ia, awaiting their induction call.
Fear of Draft Adjustment Seen.
The unexpected lowering of stand
ards was interpreted by some mem
ners OF Congress as evidence that
the Army feared the present draft .
law would not be extended and
hence wanted to secure as manv
men under it as possible before it
expires May Is.
President Truman has called for
continuation of the draft, but thus
lar Congress has made no move to
extend it.
BY lowering its physical standards.
the War Department now permits
the induction of men who have
suffered infantile paralysis, men who
stutter and those with mild mental
oenclencles or occasional mild
mental illness.
Selective Service Confident.
Selective Service officials ex-
pressed confidence that, under the
lowered standards, Army demands
could be met.
The additional $4,000 men are re-
quired by the end of April, it was
said, in order to make up the short
ages accumulated against calls since
VI day. The shortage is estimated
at approximately $1,000 a month
based on selective service inductions
averaging $4,000 a month.
Standards Are "AbsoIute" Low.
The revised physical standards are
considered by the Army to be the
absolute minimum" for any type
service, the War Depart
ment said They were approved as
necessary despite the fact that the
use OF such men may result in a
considerable reduction in overall
efficiency and probably an eventual
increase in the percentage of dis
charges for physical disability"
Under the revised standards, the
Army will now accept men with the
following physical defects previously
(See DRAFT, Page A-59
Iran Premier Will leave