ARMY RECRUITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24772, 24 November 1941, Page 6

ARMY RECRUITS

CIVIL QUALIFICATIONS USE TO BEST ADVANTAGE ENDEAVOUR BY AUTHORITIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. The steps taken by the military authorities to. see that th-2 civilian qualifications of recruits are used by the Army to the best advantage were explained'by the Minister of Defence. Mr F. Jones, last night. He said that it should be remembered that though a man might have qualifications in .his profession or trade it did not necessarily follow that he could be employed in the Army in a capacity which would enable full use to be made of these qualifications. For example, there was only limited scope for the employment of accountants, lawyers, and scientists as such, and it was frequently necessary to post them to units in which their professional training was only of indirect value. This, of course, could not be avoided. The Minister's explanation was the outcome of a leading article published in the Dominion on November 17, in which reference was made to the necessity for proper utilisation of recruits in the Army in accordance with their civil qualifications. It was suggested in the article that enlightenment in regard to the system adopted in posting recruits and an assurance that square pegs were not cin g ntted into round holes would be welcome. War Establishments " When a recruit is medically examined, the opportunity is taken of obtaining from him full particulars of his civil and military qualifications and experience," Mr Jones said. "It is more than likely that the general public is not aware that for every unit in the modern army there is what is known to the soldiers as a war establishment. This is a carefully-prepared document issued by the War Office, giving the organisation of the unit, and showing in detail the personnel, weapons, ammunition, and vehicles required to complete the unit. The personnel required is set out with particulars, and the specialists and tradesmen required are listed. "Equipped with this information of requirements and resources, the area officers then proceed to select from the recruits available those whose civil qualifications fit them for the various positions provided for in the war establishment of a particular unit. This procedure is well illustrated in the recent formation of the Tank Brigade, the war establishment of which contains a large number of various types of tradesmen "and artificers who were carefully selected from recruits throughout the Dominion. In addition, the area officers inform A.H.Q. of the men who possess special qualifications, in order that inquiries may be made and special consideration given to their employment in the Army. Duty of Camp Staffs ' « "As a further precaution," Mr Jones added, " camp staffs are required to give careful consideration during the period of training to the suitability of each man for the arm of service to which he has been posted by an area officer, and to decide, whether he would be more usefully employed in another arm. If it is found that he would be more usefully employed in another unit, action is at once taken to have him transferred. It should also be mentioned that assistance is obtained by the Army authorities from Government departments and also from employers and organisations of various kinds, and valuable information in regard to the proper employment of men is thus made available." Mr Jones said that recruits were encouraged to express preference for a particular unit. If they were found to be suitable, and provided, of course, that there were vacancies, they were posted in' accordance with their wishes. Similarly, if a man after being posted applied for a transfer to another unit his application was given full consideration. , '" On arrival at the overseas base, the Minister concluded, "it may be found that there are some who have not been posted to the best advantage, and these are again sorted out and placed in any vacancies in the division which are more suited to their individual qualifications."