RECRUITS FOR ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 6

RECRUITS FOR ARMY

Best Use Of Civilian

Qualifications

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 21. The steps taken by the military authorities to see that the civilian qualifications of recruits are used by the Army to the best advantage were explained by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, tonight. He said that it should ll 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 the 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 utilization of recruits in the Army in accordance with their civil qualifications. It was suggested in the article that enlightenment about the system adopted in posting recruits and an assurance that square pegs were not being fitted into round holes would be welcome. WAR ESTABLISHMENT “When a recruit is medically examined the opportunity is taken of obtaining from him full particulars of his civil and military qualifications and experience,” said Mr Jones. “It is more than likely that the general public is not aware that for every unit in a modern army there is what is known to the solders as war establishment. This is a carefully prepared document issued by the War Office giving the organization of a unit and showing in detail the personnel, weapons, ammunition and vehicles required to complete the unit. The personnel required is set out with particularity and the specialists and tradesmen required are listed. “Equipped with this information of the requirements and resources, 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. In addition area officers inform Army Headquarters of men who possess special qualifications in order that inquiries may be made and special consideration given to their employment in the Army.”