Evening star., 1951-01-01
Veterans
and
Druftees
By Maj. Thomos M. Mol

From reading my mail, it seems
half the readers of this column
want to get back into service in
some way and that half are in
service and want to get out. The
armed forces always have allowed
fellows to apply for hardship or
dependency discharges. Even II
a man is needed badly in his out
| fit, he will be released under the
following conditions:
!. When undue and genuine de-
pendency or hardship does exist
in his family. Military service
always means inconvenience and
some hardship: Army regs. say
an undue" hardship exists hen
the mans family must endure
real and unwarranted suffering
as a result of his military SERVICE"
2 The condition is not en-
porary. Il a soldiers wife breaks
her leg, say, she may be greatly
inconvenienced and disabled. But
the situation usually is temporary.
At best the man might be given
emergency leave.
8. The conditions have arisen or
become lot worse since he man
entered service. If the hardship
existed when the man enlisted,
the services feel he knew what
the situation was when he joined
up. They won't be too quick to
let him out now.
Okay, but how about the fellow
who's drafted? Generally speak
ing. the Army takes the position
that it was up TO Selective Service
to judge whether the fellow should
go into the Army or be deferred
because of a dependency or hard
ship situation. # his draft board
didn't defer him, then the Army
will hesitate to discharge him.
Then how about the reservist
recalled to duty? The services
say that fellow in the reserves has
placed himself In readiness for a
call to active duty at any time
and he joined-or should bave-I
with his eyes wide open.
But in spite of these official
views. all these fellows-enlistees.
draftees and reservists-may apply
for a hardship discharge at any
time. Each case is judged indi-
vidually and as quickly as possible.
Another requirement is that the
man has done everything within
reason to lessen the hardship
like making out allotmerts.
Finally. it must be a fact that
the mans discharge will eliminate
or greatly lessen the hardship and
that no other means of relief are
possible.
So much the conditions. How
about the procedure?
The mans family may contact
it's local Red Cross chapter any
hour of the night or day. The
chapter will notify the man. Or
the man himself may get help
dliu doSlSO 4lOAn Vic ItCQ AIOSo
field director at his base.
Along with his application, the
man will submit at least two atfi-
davits. either from disinterested
agencies. like the Red Cross, or
individuals like the family min
lister. lawyer or physician.
If dependency or hardship re-
suits from death in the family,
proof Of it must be turned in.
II the result of disability in the
family, physicians statement
is needed. showing when 1t oc-
CURED and what its nature. The
Red Cross will help in getting such
a statement and will also make
the required report on the ages.
occupations, locations and monthly
incomes Of other members of the
mans family and reasons why they
cannot care for or support his de-
pendents.
Who grants the discharge? The
mans CO forwards the application
up through channels. In the
Army and Air Force, area COM
manders make the decision. In
the Navy and Marine Corps the
applications come to Washington
for final action. These discharg-
ing authorities may possibly ask
the Red Cross for more informa-
tion.