Evening star., 1946-06-26
New Order in Army
Cuts Social Barriers,
Reduces Sa|utinq

saaii
. The Army launched a military
new order" experiment today
narrowing social and other dis
-tinctions between officers and
enlisted men without wiping
them out.
1t also decided it can get along
with less saluting, except where a
snappy salute counts.
Secretary of War Patterson put
the new formula into Army life
when he gave carefully qualified
approval last night to all but two
of the IA recommendation submit
ted by the Doolittle grippe" board
which investigated postwar GI COM
plants of too much caste in the
service.
Social Contact Permitted.
Mr.. Patterson announced that the
War Department is offering;
/. Abolition of saluting except on
military posts. in overseas occupied
areas and on ceremonial occasions.
2, Elimination of an existing re-
qulrement that officers wear distinc-
tive uniforms, live apart from their
men in garrison. and confine their
social contacts to other officers.
8. Granting enlisted men the
same privilege as officers, effective
July /, in accumulating unused leave
time, currently 80 days a year.
4. Studies looking to a possible
Upward revision of pay schedules
-. along with allowances for food,
Fquarters and travel.
5. Measures to train officers better
for leadership, assign them lin the
best interests of the service" and
to overhaul the present system of
promotions.
IS. Rewriting of regulations to de-
4 e essential privileges of officers
and to prohibit or minimize pos
sible abuses of authority and pres
tige."
= 7. Efforts to improve the social
facilities available to enlisted men.
Announcing the War Department S
action on recommendations made a
Month ago by the board headed by
1t. Gen. James H. Doolittle, MIR.
Patterson rejected outright pro-
posal that the terms Officers and
enlisted men" be eliminated en-
tirely, and stressed there must be
no weakening of discipline in the
Army.
Before actual payment for ter
mlnal leave could be made to en-
listed men, the approval of Con-
gress is necessary. The House al
ready has passed the necessary bill
1t provides, however, that terminal
leave payments also be made for
unused furlough time prior to July
l, including that of men already dis
charged. Because of this feature.
the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee yesterday held up consider
alton of the measure at the request
of the Navy, which indicated that
the administration opposes it.
Fosters Dignity of Soldier.
Mr.. Patterson said that, after re-
viewing the report of Gen. Doolittle
and his board of officers and en-
listed men, it was fairly evident
that certain practices need correc-
ton in the interest of fostering the
dignity and decency of the in
dividual.'
Then, warning that an army
without discipline is worthless, the
Secretary said he was certain the
basic concept of authority and
command in the Army is sound and
that no changes can be introduced
that will destroy its efficiency or
discipline
He agreed wages should be in
creased and said the matter of al
lowances for food. quarters and
travel was being studied.
Mr.. Patterson upheld the boards
recommendation for equal justice
under military law for officers and
enlisted men and ordered that
steps should be taken to establish
q system of decorations and awards
which will provide for a more equit-
able distribution on the basis of
merit and prohibit distribution to
degree that will tend to cheaper
them
Seeks to Improve Leadership.
The Army already is taking steps
to improve leadership by selecting
World War II officers for regular