Evening star., 1950-09-07
Veterans
and
Druftees
By Moi. Thomas M. Mol

FOfmer enlisted men WIFI tIle
right qualifications can now get
reserve commissions in the Army,
Air Force and Marine Corps. The
Navy, with tremendous recruit
ing and examining workload. has
suspended processing applications
for commissions, but it should
start handing out the gold braid
again in a couple of months.
In the last column I gave you
the qualifications and procedure
for getting Army reserve commits
sions. Today. the Air Force and
Marine Corps.
The Air Force has a four-year
ROTC program In 127 colleges
and universities. In addition, it
has aviation cadet training pro-
grams for pilots and navigators
and an OCS program which turns
out second lieutenants for admin
istrative and technical positions.
Another type commissioned in
the Air Force is the professional
and technical specialist, either
male or female, with the. right
qualifications in one of a whole
bunch of fields. These need not
necessarily be veterans. Your To-
cal Air Force recruiting office can
tell you more about your chances.
The Air Force or Army vet
comes under a special program
If vet of the Air Force, he must
have served at least six months
between Pearl Harbor and the
date of his application. If an
Army vet, he must have served six
months between Pearl Harbor and
June 80. 1947.
Air Force vets discharged as
warrant officers or in the top
three enlisted grades must have
finished two years of college. If
not, they must have finished high
school at least and be able to
pass an educational test.
Those discharged in lower en-
listed grades must be graduates of
an accredited college. But
and here's an important point
their college must not have had |
an advanced Air Force ROTC
course. If it did, the applicants
training period before graduation
must not have been long enough
for him to complete the advanced
ROTC course. The Air Force
reasons if he had been interested
he would have taken the course
then. If he didn't he's missed his
opportunity.
The age requirements are under
%, except for former prisoners
of war, who may apply through
the age of 81. Those under 80
can have this age requirement
waived If they saw wartime duty
in any service before September
q, 1945.
Where do you start the ball roll
ing on an application? Try your
Air Force recruiting Office or any
Air Force installation. Also at an
Air Force Reserve or Air National
Guard unit. If no luck, write
letter to the headquarters of the
numbered Air Force In your area
requesting application forms.
The Marines draw many of
their officers from the Naval
Aviation Cadet and Naval ROTC
programs. Certain specialists in
occupations closely related to
jobs. particularly In such
fields as engineering and elec-
tronics. may apply for direct
commissions.
However. the officer program
the Marine Corps says it likes best
is the platoon leaders class.
College undergraduates who will
be under Is when they get their
degrees are sent to Quantico. Va.
for two summers during their col
lege course for six weeks training
each summer. Along with their
sheepskin goes a Marine Corps
Reserve commission as a second
lieutenant.
And finally, a commission is
available for the Marine Corps
veteran II he was discharged
corporal or above, is under 81 and
has a degree from an accredited
college or university. Even if he
does not have a degree he still
qualities If he can pass an equiva-
lent test.
To apply for Marine Corps Re
serve commissions write the Com
mandant. United States Marine
Corps, Washington 25. D. c. Set
down your qualifications. educa-
ton, age, dates of service, serial
numbers and discharge grade.
you may Write Maj. Mai,
care of The Star, about your
otDn SerUice- connected problem.
Inclose elt-addressed, stamped