Evening star., 1955-02-18
BY Richard Rodgers

Army induction today isn't
like the great transformation CT
the early 1940s. Even the draftee
is different. Despite the changing
of arms in China. he seems con-
vinced he will serve only two
years in uniform. then return
safely to civilian life.
In this regard. current model
recruits are unlike the World
War II prototypes. who were
concerned chiefly over when and
if they would return. and in
what condition.
And the induction routine is
almost wholly rewritten. The
new script turns young males
into serial numbers by a slicker
and gentler process:
Today's draftee resembles his
wartime predecessor, however. in
that he is as confused and just
as open to rumors.
The other day, Uncle Sam ran
an average assortment of Dis
trict teen-agers and barely-vot-
ing-age men through the main
induction station in Alexandria.
The Star followed one Of them
through the assembly line. His
name is Norman Plotnick. This
is the first time in his 81 years
he has left home, 5401 North
Capitol street, for longer than
two weeks.
Norman was older than many
in his group of 80. He was de-
ferred from military service until
he was graduated from American
University with a bachelor Of
science degree in radio and tele-
vision work.
Until summoned to uniform,
he was Station WWDC's music
director" in charge. as he de-
scribed it, of such things as max
ing sure the music royalty
ledgers were kept straight.
Norman is his family's first
serviceman. An older brother
was exempted.
That last family breakfast, the
day he was to report, was a
tremulous meal, but his mother,
Mrs. William Plotnick, managed
to get through the farewells re-
latively dry-eyed.
Please don't cry" Norman
said. It'll just make it tough
err" So she didn't until he was
gone.
"Then," she said, IT just had
to sit down and cry it out"
Her son reported to Selective
Service Headquarters at 431
Indiana avenue NV. at 7:30
am. to board a chartered bus for
Alexandria. It was a subdued
busload.
BY the time it reached the in
duction center, at 814 North st.
Asaph street, the group was
cheerier.
Herded into the barnlike main
room at the center, the draftees
stacked their handbags, an
swered roll and started through
the mill.
The physical examination for
young Plotnick and his COM
panions was real, not one of
those superficial IF you're still
warm. you're in" tests familiar
to veterans.
One of the party proved to be
minus three toes. He was sent
back to civilian life.
In the old Army" a sergeant
bystander remarked, "they only
counted heads, not toes" (His
"old" Army was the 1942 Army,
and sergeants then were scof11ng
at the new" Army.)
Medics even conducted calls
themes for Norman's group to
determine whether fingers and
toes articulated normally. 1t was
not enough that the arm had a
hand-the hand had to func-
ton.
Found fit, young Plotnick
turned to a non-com to volunteer
a generous offer. I'D like to
give you this opportunity to take
my place." he said with exag-
gerated courtesy. You're well
come to my papers. I won't mind
If you go instead of me-"
He had already taken the
Armed Forces Qualification Test
during a pre-induction test a
year ago. The AFQT is the
modern version of what was