Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-18
Army Limits
lis Six-Month
DufyProgrdnl
Only High School
Graduates. Some
Specialists Eligible

The Army has restricted It's
6-month active duty program
for Washington area reservists
to high school graduates and
specialists In certain fields. .
spokesman revealed today.
Such a restriction eliminates
college graduates and young
adults facing draft calls from
taking part In the program. the
Army admitted.
Other services, however, re-
ported openings under the ar
rangement. which requires 6
months Of active duty and 5Ia
to IA years Of additional re-
serve duty at home. The pro-
gram was approved by Con-
gress In 1855.
The Army Nationwide and
the Air Force, Marines and
Coast Guard have no such re-
striction against older youth,
Spokesman said. The Navy has
not adopted the arrangement.
Shortest Duty Term
It Is popular because it offers
the shortest term q young man
must complete to fulfill his
military commitment. For most
youths. q twO-year hitch fol-
lowing the draft call Is the next
shortest alternative.
A I'd Army spokesman ex-
planned that the program APP
parently was cut back because
Of budget limitations and other
problems. At the same time,
there were unofficial reports
that the Army was unhappy ct
the discovery that many men
chose the six-month route to
escape q longer path Of draft
duty.
II the Army Is hesitant to
accept Washington's older
youth, the Air Force and Ma
rines are not. In fact, they
admit unofficially they prefer
that group for its maturity and
higher education level.
Our six month reservists
from the Washington area have
a terridcally high intelligence
level" one Air Force ofiicer
said. I'VE don't care about q
mans intentions regarding the
draft, so long as he Is quail
fed"
A Marine agreed.
Extension Request Seen
I'VE like people over 90" he
said. Some of them are natu-
rally trying to avoid the draft,
but they have good jobs and q
good education. and are much
more reliable than some of the
hoaters around town."
Most service Spokesman
agreed. too. that the program
has been generally successful.
and that they will probably ask
for an extension when the plan
expires next year.
These arrangements are in
effect, at least in theory, for
the following services:
l. Army-Ages 17Ia through
IS generally serve six months
on active duty. with 51z to 71a
years Of reserve training at
home in addition. Enlistments
are restricted locally to high
school students and certain
specialists with technical Skills.
2. Air Force-Ages II
through Is in the reserve, with
no prior military service, are
called to six months of active
duty within about 100 days.
with 512 to ia years Of reserve
training at home in addition.
Waiting lists are reported
everywhere, requiring about 30
days for acceptance.
3. Navy-No six-month re-
serve program in effect.
4. Marine CorpS-Ages II
through rs serve six months of
active duty, with 51a to 71a
years in the reserve. Vacancies
are being filled locally through
April 80.
5. Coast Guard - Ages II
through 81 perform six months
OF active duty, with 5la to 7Ha
years in the reserve. The local
quota is being filled every
month, but openings are gen.
orally available without much
AAfAs,