Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-12-15
1.-THE following article is from the Army In

IHG LTuIHeS SLuQGUL COHCt
1.-THE following article Is from the Army In
formation Digest.)
Take 900 young Americans-from all but two
States Of all religions, from urban and rural
communities, from wealthy backgrounds and
poor, with high educational levels and low
mix them in platoons and companies for six
months under wise leadership and you have a
fair picture of what UMT-type training means
TO the Army and to the Nation.
The first training cycle of the UNIT Expert
mental Unit at Fort Knox ended In July, and
the second cycle is well along. The experiment
can now be evaluated. This has been done by
scientifically trained teams of the Research
Branch, Troop Information and Education
Division, Army Department, and by the Louis
vile UNIT Advisory Council.
In terms OF troop attitudes, TIED research
shows, the experiment is eminently success
full. At the end of the first cycle, 100 per cent
Of the officers, 81 per cent Of the training
cadre, and u per cent of the trainees agreed
that the experimental unit Is good idea.
Ninety per cent of the officers would probably
volunteer for duty In the UNIT national pro-
gram; and two out Of three of the cadre feel
the same way.
The trainees agreed-91 per cent of them
that the training they received will prepare
them to be good soldiers. significant ques-
ton asked Of the trainees: IF you had your
choice right now (about halfway through the
first cycle would you prefer to stay in the
experimental unit or transfer to a Regular
Army unit?"-showed that two out Of three
would prefer to stay in the UNIT unit. They
believed that this is a better and faster way
of training u.s.; that "the way things are
taught to person makes him want to stay;
that there is a better chance for technical
training, and that there is more opportunity
for education and educational credits.
Bunch Of Teen-Agers.
The old specter of harsh discipline was laid.
1--WE are being treated more like individuals
instead of just bunch of men," stated one
trainee. They treat you more human and
respect your rights" another put 1t. On the
other hand, one of the minority stated that
they are too strict on you in UNIT" Others
preferred the Regular Army because I want
to 60 overseas" because II don't want to train
all the time; I want a regular job" because
II joined the Regular Army to get in the para
troopers They treat you," commented one.
like bunch Of teen-agers"-which indeed
all but a few trainees were.
In the second cycle, the trainees were in
terviewed eight days after they started basic
training; that is, about three weeks along
in the cycle. They like Army life about as
much as did the first group-more than half
saying, II like it all right; about one third
describing Army life as mot so bad; and
mere handful saying, II just don't like the
Army" Both first and second cycles say they
have pretty good time in the Army-or that
it's about fifty-f1fty: only per cent say
they "have pretty rotten time Only 10 per
cent worry a lot; and only per cent say
they are usually in low spirits. In both first
and second cycles more than so per cent state
that their physical condition is better than
before coming into the Army
When asked their views on whether there
would be another war in the next Is years
or so, trainees of both cycles were closely in
agreement. About Is per cent believe there
will be war; and about IS per cent believe
that every able-bodied young man should
be required to take military training for one
year.
UNIT Civilian Advisory Committee Of "a
men and women has served continuously
since last January, visiting the unit frequently.
as individuals and as subcommittee.
They have not been blind to experimental
unit defects. Yet, they believe in it-enthu-
siastically; not only as a training operation
at nearby Fort Knox, but also as national
policy. The parents subcommittee report
stated that UNIT Is necessary as q pre-
caution against war and to insure keeping the
peace" UNIT offers the boys, it states: Cd
Discipline, not RECOMMENDATION; ca respect for
authority and the rights Of others; 90 train
ing for leadership; "a educational opportunity
for those who desire it; 90 self-expression
through individual hobbies, and 60 definite
epirit11a1 va1,1es and moral training
Narrowing Gap to Civilian Life.
The subcommittee on religion was so I'M
pressed with the high ideals Of the UNIT
experiment that 1t expresses its profound
anxiety as to the possibility of universal
training being enacted into law with lower
standards and weaker safeguards for religion
and morality than are observed in the
experiment"
The committee felt that UNIT narrowed
the gap between civilian and military life.
1t continued for the young man some of the
spiritual and cultural influences of home and
school, of associations and pursuits which are
part of the normal life of the average Aneri-
can boy The abrupt change from home to
Army was made less drastic. The camp
ceases to be all drill and soldering"
This new program, the committee believes,
makes the trainee feel that he is undergoing
process Of preparation so that, should an
emergency arise, the Nation would have at
its disposal a sufficiently large body Of per-
sonnet, ready on short notice for narshaling.
efficiently and quickly, the resources Of war.
mo miracles must be expected of UNIT"
the report states. "It Is not fair to look to
UNIT to turn out saints and angels. Let us
bear In mind that not all homes, schools
and churches do this The human material
Of UNIT Is q cross section of the youth Of the
land and we know what that is: Some Of it
is excellent, some good and some below the
standard Of good. When the young people
come to UNIT many Of their habits and
tastes have already been highly developed.
UNIT must not be expected to mold new
personalities. and in six months time one
does not try to do this"