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Limited Duty Soldiers Learn
Fast
the Franklin Evening Star 21 July
1945
Limited Duty men are shown drilling with rifles at the end of their first
week of training here. Sgt. Bruce J. Barton, shown drilling the
platoon, reports the trainees already march like veterans.
Respond Like Veterans, Report Atterbury's Officers, Trainers
CAMP ATTERBURY. July 21 After little more than a week of concentrated basic training, members of the first group of limited duty selectees to be assigned to the Basic Training Section here already are responding like veterans according to officers and training personnel.
The men were all inducted under the recent change in Selective Service policy whereby those not qualified for general military service will be utilized in service command installations to replace soldiers eligible for discharge under the point system or because of age.
Month's Training
They are being given approximately a month's concentrated training before assignment. The intensive training embraces practically all subjects covered during the usual
17-week basic period which makes for concentration and hard work on
the part of both trainees and training personnel.
Majority of the trainees, most whom are classified limited duty because of defective vision, are pleased and proud to be in the Army in spite of physical handicaps. Many were previously rejected when called for induction. Pvt. Paul
I. Stance, Cleveland, Ohio, was rejected twice before being accepted recently. "It makes a fellow feel pretty good to know he can be used." says
Stalinke.
Already the men have picked up Army slang. "This intensive train is a little rugged." declares Pvt. Herbert Paxson, Penville, Ind., "But it's OK with us." His sentiments
were echoed by Pvts. Walter Case. Michigan City, Ind., and Merritt Fordon, a former Elkhart, Ind., electrician.
The group now training includes a former ordained minister, Pvt. Carl Graham, o: Ashland, Ohio, who also was previously rejected when called for induction.
Morale Is High
Morale among the men is high, report Sgt. Bruce J. Barton and Cpl. Marvin R. Leonard, members of the training personnel, "The way these men have adapted to Army life is amazing," according to the
non-coms.
During the past week, the trainees have been drilled, extensively in rifle marksmanship In preparation for going on the range to fire for records next week. They also will fire carbines for familiarization.
Lt. Col. Lysle W. Croft, Commanding Officer of the Special Training Unit commands tile Basic Training Section. Lt. Richard G. Weisserstein is Company Commander. Training personnel are members of Co. H. Special Training Unit. |
