Greetings From B.C. WHAT TO DO.

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 30, 11 December 1942, Page 9

Greetings From B.C.

WHAT TO DO.

At the present time, there are thousands of men in khaki throughout this j country all belonging to and forming part of what is known as our “N.Z. . Military Forces. In this force are , units formed to handle all the various ■ types of equipment required by an I Army to function for war. But how many of these thousands have seriously j considered just what benefit they are deriving from handling this equipment or do they know how tljis material has been manufactured. Prior to joining the Army, all of us had some form of civilian occupation, and I propose to deal now with the younger men of our Army and endeavour to point out some thoughts which 1 think not many have' ever considered relative to activities during life in the Army while at war. I A year or two ago, you had just left school, and had found yourself a position which you thought would be your career for life. Then your day to join the Army came, your G.S. training was over and finally you were drafted to a unit to be moulded into an efficient soldier in that arm. Let us consider those of you who have been posted to this unit. We soon see your reactions on Army life and as a rule can tell just what you will make of it. There is no need for me to tell you of the various trades in a Regiment; but you can take any one of them and liken it to a civilian position. The greatest similarity in both spheres is that upon your knowledge, and skill depends the future, not only of yourself but also the remainder of civilisation. VARIOUS TRADES. Every trade has many phases and how many of these phases do you know now. Look around, your own Battery, and the others'in the Regiment too, and find out how many of your friends have an interest in the same position as yourself. There must be many ideas that you don’t know anything about, so why j not learn them now. Some of you no doubt have already formed the idea in your mind that you are not returning to your former position in civil life when this war is over. That may be so, but have you considered what training and knowledge you require for that fancy. This- change has probably been brought about by the fact that you are handling material that you have never seen before and have bectome interested in it or some phase of it. Therefore

(1) Why not find a man who knows the job about which you are interested and get his knowledge. (2) Having done so, apply it first to your Army trade, and store it in your mind for your civilian occupation. I consider that by this, you will find a new and better interest. Furthermore, don’t you think that this would greatly assist in the general efficiency of your unit, by giving a better understanding of all points connected with our equipment. ' You may be a driver — knows the day when you may be called upon by circumstances to do some task other than drive and maintain your vehicle? So why not, with the coming of the New Year, let us all view our present circumstances with these thoughts in 'our mind. Our Army efficiency must come first, but in our leisure time, let jjs remember that some day we must tit back to normal civil life. Remember also that with the rapidly changing personnel of the unit, we may find that we have lost a good opportunity. In conclusion, I wish to express to all ranks in the Battery and Regiment, my best wishes for the New Year. ' . L. G. MITCHELL, Capt.