S132: Rotation Study

Yes I cite my own case. After two years flawless service overseas I got foolish & was AWOL for two days. Special C.M. [Courts Martial] Sen [sentenced]- 2 mo on & 2/3 pay f [for] / 6 mo. Restrictd to Post. Returned to U.S. undergoing fine for another 3 mo. Couldn't it be remitted? Basis of past record.

It seems all the hand shakers get all the ratings + the poor privates do all the work feel very low still being a Private after 2 1/2 years over seas.

The only square deal I ever gotten from the Army is being sent home.

I have been held back in making a rating because the Plat Leader didn't like me. This is very true in all line of Outfits. Where officers are usually fresh from OCS

As a soldier overseas I feel we had to waist food even after we pulled back of the line while other troops employed in the rear had good food. The best food I've had in a year was at Camp Patrick Henry today, July 11,

The matter of selecting candidates for DOS; the opportunities offered to the enlisted men and civilians back in the States as compared to those afforded enlisted men overseas were much greater and more varied.

Considering the circumstances I would say Im very grateful to the government for putting the Rotation plan into effect in a little while I'll be ready to Get on my horse again

On my person, I have a paper recommending me for a promotion but I know damned well I'll get fucked out of it

From the army yes, but we really do have officers who are stupid and from them I have had raw deals.

In one respect I have been given a good deal. that is to go home after being overseas to see my love ones before I may go over again.

I should have a good physical check before being reassigned and if still in 1-A should be given an easy job for awhile.

S132A.Q53B.C: It feels darned good to be back in the USA where I can get [cleaned?] up and wash some of the blood off my hands and try and forget some of the past murder and strife. I want to get near to our God and feel others should to. The army hasn't set a very good example and I feel that the starting of this war was as much our fault as it was our enemy. are not setting a very good example to the world at this time. We soldiers and our leaders must do better. I feel we should get back to the way our Lord intended us to live. We in the army have drifted from this way which is good S132A.Q53C.C: It feels darned good to be back in the USA where I can get cleaned up and wash some of the blood off my hands and try and forget some of the past murder and strife. I want to get near to our God and feel others should to. The army hasn't set a very good example to others and I feel the starting of this war is as much our fault as it was our enemy's. We are not setting a very good example to the world at this time. We soldiers and our leaders must do better I feel we should get back to the way our God intended us to live, we in the army have drifted from this way which is good

After 3 years in the army I am still a PFC. In the Army it is not what you know but who you know.

Main trouble is with officers showing partiality to a certain few, and giving them ratings and better assignments irregardless of what the parties abilities are.

Yes on account of that I wasnt one to look ahead - except to do a job and get the war over with- I never was put where I should of been put - therefore - it did me more harm also - the army - then it did me good

As much as I hate to say it there is still favoritism shown the enlisted man. The brass pick their pets for the ratings instead of the man for the job. The commissioned officers are on a pedestal a little too high to rate with our Democratic Gov't.

None

I am ambitious and intelligent and still have never been able to get a rating due to my outfit getting replacements who already had ratings. I have held positions calling for ratings but still there never seemed to be one open.

I do not drink enough to warrant a section VIII Have been told by Officers I a one of the best men in the company when sober

S132A.Q53C.C: I am very happy to be back in the good old United States. I do hate the go home with a section VIII. Do wish the Army would give me a chance to prove my-self a better soldier.

I was to have had a crack at OCS but never got it. I was waiting to go & bang I went the other way. As for my outfit, I got a sq. deal - for being an N.C. outfit I feel they gave me (a replacement) a damn good sq. deal.

Training - Complete Physical Checkup. (I don't mean just a Short Arm) Keep the old men home. The young guy thinks they are scraping the bottom of the barrel at home. Keep the men in their same field if the want it. I like the Army in many ways Of course I have my own beefs to make

S132A.Q53B.C: But after that deal mentioned in Q-#52 the army is making a mistake. What is my new CO going to think of a man coming into his outfit undergoing punishment? A goof! I have a 135 IQ also hold a commendation from a Colonel. If they treat me as a basic I'll stay one. S132A.Q53C.C: Swell. Did you ever stop to think that the lady in N.Y. harbor is a 300% morale builder? It is.

[cirle]1 Keep them in the states

[cirle]2 Give at least 50% of the men the branch of services they always wanted, not what they were given. That would help the morale of the boy overseas who will come back some time S132A.Q53C.C: I'm so happy that words can't express my feelings. The big shots overseas try to discourage rotation as much as possible which tends to make the morale there very low. I for example was told 6 months before they actually sent me which I believe was due to pressure somewhere.

To teach the men who hav'nt been over seas some of the jungle warfare and tactics that we seen in the New Guinea campains

S132A.Q53B.C: A lot of the men returning will want to be welcomed as he left the States. And they don't want to be treated as if they are strangers or so. S132A.Q53C.C: I think it the greatest day any man can ever have to see the Golden Gate again and I for one and the rest are very happy to be back to see some civilization after being in the jungles 2 1/2 years.

As specialist, camp compliment as some would be useful in war work

S132A.Q53C.C: It is not quite fair to say real good - But God has been our side and the Heroes never come back. Pals who remain molding in jungle or desert dust are the Heroes - We have just begun to fight -

It is all according to their physical condition. I have seen too many men returning from the hospital and being sent into combat again when their health did not permit this. Some army medics are dogs. Butchers can do a better job. Men returning from overseas (and in fairly good health) should be put on an assignment (permanently) here in the US. A soldier once having tasted combat (experienced infantry) should not be sent up on the line again from the States!!

S132A.Q53B.C: Can't comment. Have just returned from overseas myself. S132A.Q53C.C: It's the most wonderful feeling a person can ever have. You can never realize what a wonderful country this really is until you see other parts of this world. For my part. the hell with all those countries over there. They are not worth one american life. Europe will always have its war. I have also learned not to trust any one of them, not even our allies. They envy us. They'd soon cut your life away for our wealth.

Well what I think they should have it a little easier for they have gone through a lots of hardships.

S132A.Q53B.C: Well I think they should be handled like men should be for they have done a great part in this war S132A.Q53C.C: Well it feels like this is the best place in the world for when you go Overseas there isnt any thing to look forward to, not enouth [enough] to eat and it is bad on your health in the jungles all kinds of disease

is to put men who have proven themselves good leaders in combat in charge of recruiting. I mean full charge, not under some officer who is fresh from OCS Discharge men who have suffered from combat.

S132A.Q53B.C: If this means putting then on the list to come home I suggest and I mean it very much. Send men home according to time no other reason and I assure you the War Dept troubles will be half if not more than solved S132A.Q53C.C: After more than 4 1/2 yrs overseas. I can honestly say I was very happy when I reach the States. It make you want to just scream with joy, because then you know the country still think about you or they wouldn't let you come back. yes thank God I am very very happy indeed.

Replace trained men over here and let them leave home a while

S132A.Q53B.C: try to make life more pleasant instead of making it seem like a dogs life. S132A.Q53C.C: like you think you are going to die and find out you are going to live or somebody has just passed you a hot rumor that cant come true but did

I believe that a (L.A.) man returning to the states could do more as a civilian because he knows what this war is - He's seen it & felt it. By discharging such a man so that he could take up civil dutys I believe that the examble he would set in morale, work, (etc) would more than repay the govt. in every respects. Ask any combat man what he thinks of labor strikes - justified or not - it makes him hate the principals for which he fights.

S132A.Q53B.C: Give them the best of food and shelter - Let his dream become a reality. I don't mean to lax disipline but be down to earth & let him know that our people appreciate what he has been doing over there S132A.Q53C.C: It's a dream come true. A man can look around him and see the richness of this great country. - She's worth fighting for but I didn't realize it untill I saw places like Africa, Sicily, Italy. They don't live, they only excist.

Stay back in the U.S. until the duration.

S132A.Q53B.C: By speeding up, instead of laying around waiting to long. S132A.Q53C.C: It feels to good to be true, but my morale is low when I think of where I am going after my furlough. I know it will be overseas again and I don't like it. the last trip overseas has revived me, I can't think straight anymore.

Make cadre out of most of the men. Others to be put into jobs where they are best suited and the most benefit to the U.S. Army.

S132A.Q53B.C: Give them more information concerning the Rotation Policy. Much faster job should be made for the men leaving their overseas post after the quota has been abated. S132A.Q53C.C: There is no way for my being able to express my happiness in returning to the U.S. It gives a very high rise to the morale of the man. Its something to fight for.

This depends on That man. I hope to be used as a Clerk since this was my work before going in the Army. The Army will probably train us for something and put us in some thing else. I was a Clerk, trained as an Infantry radio operator, I went overseas and was made machine gunner. I had never seen one of the guns.

S132A.Q53B.C: Don't call them for formation hours before they are needed. Don't tell them you know they have been overseas but you have been doing your job here. Don't tell them that its "tough shit". Do pay the men. Do have them fill out these forms. Do have candy and soft drinks at the docks. Do get them home as soon as possible with money and new clothes. S132A.Q53C.C: It's the best break I've had in the Army. Try going overseas in a replacement Depot for a couple of months without telling your work and let a Non-Combat Colonel kick you around like Col. Tenny at the 7th Rpl. Depot. We know all can't get the best up front but how about a break back of the lines?

Use them as permanent party personnel for permanent camps, posts or stations also as instructors in technical subjects if qualified. I believe there are a great many who qualify for the latter myself included.

S132A.Q53B.C: In general, the handling thus for at this part has been excellent. We have been promised that we will be on our way home within 24 hours, no "GI" expects any more efficient handling than that. S132A.Q53C.C: It is a feeling which is hard to express. My first impression of the city of San Francisco from the rail of the troopship was like the "Lost Horizon", a long lost civilization suddenly rediscovered. To sum it up it is the grandest feeling one can experience after a continuous stretch of 2 yrs in the jungles of New Guinea.

To put them in a permenate camp as close as posable to there home and give them a job that they are qualafied for as most men that have been in combat gone fore any length of time are more or less nervouse and worry a lot about there home problems

S132A.Q53C.C: It really makes you feel like a different man. But you can't help but think of your buddies that you left overseas.

as cadre

S132A.Q53B.C: By giving the a long enough furlough to enable them, to get acquainted with children such as nephews, nieces, sisters born, while he was away and to get reacostomed to the things he loved so that he can always keep in mind the things he has been fighting for. Send him home in a good fitting, smart uniform. S132A.Q53C.C: It feels like all that one has been through over there was just a nightmare, it feels like as if one has just left the States for a short period. It make a soldier feel so good that it does not seem possible that he is really back in his beloved country.

Not knowing the setup over here I couldn't deffinatly [definitely] say of course some would make pretty good instructors

S132A.Q53B.C: Id get on the tail of some of the brass hats down at millim Bay they don't seem to know their ? from a hole in the Ground and eliminate some of the red tape the setup here at McDowel seems to be right on the ball as far as Ive seen of it. S132A.Q53C.C: It feels pretty good Im thankful our government has given me that chance which I do not hesitate to say was a doubt in my mind Dec 7, 1941 Ill ever be grateful to our country which was kind enough to give me such a happy moment

Put all the overseas veterans together in some kind of work. as long as you have non-overseas boys mixed in, you will have trouble. Put an officer in charge of them who has seen combat because he will be able to understand the men. Any officer who has not seen combat would have a

S132A.Q53B.C: hard time controlling combat vets. In other words, the vets won't take any shit from a non-combatant officer. If the men are L.A. put them in a defense shop and I guarantee production would go up 50%. And why, because they realize what it's like over there and also that their buddies life may depend on their work S132A.Q53C.C: America is a great country. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do my little bit for it. After being overseas, I'm really going to appreciate everything that it offers me. Its great to be back and I'm not kidding

As instructors & Cadres. I think G-2 should interview each man returning to the states, this alone would help the war effort more than one would realize these men have good ideas and good slants about what is going on in their theatre

S132A.Q53B.C: The Replacement Centers are lousy, the officers are fuck ups. The 4th Rept. Depot treated Rotation men with contempt, more like Dogs. The tents there were worse than fox dens, no Organization at all I have seen in the Rotation Plan. S132A.Q53C.C: I can't describe it. It is not fair for Rated men to be sent from the States to fill these Ratings. The men in the outfits should absorb the Ratings so a lot of men are not getting sent back when their time comes.

To replace ones who have for the last three years protecting our country shore & land.

S132A.Q53B.C: To be appreciated as a good soldiers by civilians or army personnel. Give us a break for we have broken the ice. S132A.Q53C.C: I feel mighty proud of my country. My heart was filled with joy after been overseas for almost 3 years and then seeing the Golden Gate. Then again I feel better for the fact of possibly going overseas.

Give a man his chose of service of non combat outfits or combat if they wish

S132A.Q53B.C: issue a pair of fatigues while comming over and having a little cleaner ships. The chow should be improved a great deal. S132A.Q53C.C: It feels great to be back which a few months ago I thought would never happen. Most fellows have a feeling they will never see the US again.

But after that deal mentioned in Q-#52 the army is making a mistake. What is my new CO going to think of a men coming into his outfit undergoing punishment? A goof! I have a 135 IQ also hold a commendation from a Colonel. If they treat me as a basic I'll stay one.

A lot of the men returning will want to be welcomed as he left the States. And they don't want to be treated as if they are strangers or so.

Can't comment. Have just returned from overseas myself. Include note on back of following page.

Well I think they should be handled like men should be for they have done a great part in this war

If this means putting then on the list to come home I suggest and I mean it very much. Send men home according to time no other reason and I assure you the War Dept. troubles will be half if not more than solved

try to make life more pleasant instead of making it seem like a dogs life.

Give them the best of food and shelter - Let his dream become a reality. I don't mean to lax disipline but be down to earth & let him know that our people appreciate what he has been doing over there

By speeding up, instead of laying around waiting to dang .

Give them more information concerning the Rotation Policy. Much faster job should be made for the men leaving their overseas post after the quota has been abated

Don't call them for formation hours before they are needed. Don't tell them you know they have been overseas but you have been doing your job here. Don't tell them that its "tough shit". Do pay the men. Do have them fill out these forms. Do have candy and soft drinks at the docks. Do get them home as soon as possible with money and new clothes.

In general, the handling thus for at this part has been excellent. We have been promised that we will be on our way home within 24 hours, no "GI" expects any more efficient handling than that.

By giving the a long enough furlough to enable them, to get acquainted with children such as nephews, nieces, sisters born, while he was away and to get reacostomed to the things he loved so that he can always keep in mind the things he has been fighting for. Send him home in a good fitting, smart uniform.

Id get on the tail of some of the brass hats down at millim Bay they don't seem to know their ? from a hole in the Ground and eliminate some of the red tape the setup here at McDowel seems to be right on the ball as far as Ive seen of it.

hard time controlling combat vets. In other words, the vets won't take any shit from a non-combatant officer. If the men are L.A. put them in a defense shop and I guarantee production would go up 50%. And why, because they realize what it's like over there and also that their buddies life may depend on their work.

The Replacement Centers are lousy the officers are fuck ups. the 4th Rept. depot mode force rotated men with contempt more like dogs. The tents there were worse than fox dens, no Organization at all. I have seen in the Rotation plan. cant describe it. It is not fair non-rated men to be sent from the States to fill these Ratings. The men in the outfits should absorb the Ratings so a lot of men are not getting sent back in when their time comes.

to be appreciated as a good soldiers by civilians or army personnel. Give us a break for we have broken the ice.

It feels darned good to be back in the USA where I can get [cleaned?] up and wash some of the blood off my hands and try and forget some of the past murder and strife. I want to get near to our God and feel others should to. The army hasn't set a very good example and I feel that the starting of this war was as much our fault as it was our enemy. are not setting a very good example to the world at this time. We soldiers and our leaders must do better. I feel we should get back to the way our Lord intended us to live. We in the army have drifted from this way which is good

issue a pair of fatigues while comming over and having a little cleaner ships. The chow should be improved a great deal.

Improve replacement centers for troops leaving for U.S. The food at the Camp was terrible and so was the camp itself nothing but a sea of mud. No floors in tents. Had to go about three city blocks to creek in order to bathe & do laundry

I believe that consideration should be given to the rotation of units from overseas theatres and that these units be rotated as a whole. The fear and the outlook of something indefinite in the future is bad for the morale of tired men and this additional worry or concern should be eliminated if practicable.

Swell. Did you ever stop to think that the lady in N.Y. harbor is a 300% morale builder? It is.

I'm so happy that words can't express my feelings. The big shots overseas try to discourage rotation as much as possible which tends to make the morale there very low. I for example was told 6 months before they actually sent me which I believe was due to pressure somewhere.

I think it the greatest day any man can ever have to see the Golden Gate again and I for one and the rest are very happy to be back to see some civilization after being in the jungles 2 1/2 years.

It is not quite fair to say real good - But God has been our side and the Heroes never came back. Pals who remain molding in jungle or desert dust are the Heroes - We have just begun to fight -

It's the most wonderful feeling a person can ever have. You can never realize what a wonderful country this really is until you see other parts of this world. For my part. the hell with all those countries over there. They are not worth one american life. Europe will always have its war. I have also learned not to trust any one of them, not even our allies. They envy us. They'd soon cut your life away for our wealth.

Well it feels like this is the best place in the world for when you go overseas there isn't anything to look forward to, not enough to eat and it is bad your health in the jungle. All kinds of disease.

After more than 4 1/2 yrs overseas. I can honestly say I was very happy when I reach the States. It make you want to just scream with joy, because the you know the country still think about you or they wouldn't let you come back. yes thank God I am very very happy indeed.

It the best feelin [feeling] in the world to know that you have been overseas for over 2 years and come back alive from the war. I can't wait until I get to see my mother.

like you think you are going to die and find out you are going to live or somebody hoo just passed you a hot rumor that can come true but did

Right now I feel terrible, been back for 6 hours and seen nothing but this building It's impossible to notify parents that we are home Only telephone for Army use, Post Telegraph closed Sat. PM and Sunday Never was like that in the Jungle.

It's a dream come true. A man can look around him and see the richness of this great country. - She's worth fighting for but I didn't realize it untill I saw places like Africa, Sicily, Italy. They don't live, they only[Inserted] excist.

It feels to good to be true, but my morale is low when I think of where I am going after my furlough. I know it will be overseas again and I don't like it. the last trip overseas has revived me, I can't think straight anymore.

There is no way for my being able to express my happiness in returning to the U.S. It gives a very high rise to the morale of the man. Its something to fight for.

It's the best break I've had in the Army. Try going overseas in a replacement Depot for a couple of months without telling your work and let a Non-Combat Colonel kick you around like Col. Tenny at the 7th Rpl. Depot. We know all can't get the best up front but how about a break back of the lines?

It is a feeling which is hard to express. My first impression of the city of San Francisco from the rail of the troopship was like the "Lost Horizon", a long lost civilization suddenly rediscovered. To sum it up it is the grandest feeling one can experience after a continuous stretch of 2 yrs in the jungles of New Guinea.

It really makes you feel like a different man. But you can't help but think of your buddies that you left overseas.

It feels like all that one has been through over there was just a nightmare, it feels like as if one has just left the States for a short period It make a soldier feel so good that it does not seem possible that he is really back in his beloved country.

It feels pretty good Im thankful our government has given me that chance which I do not hesitate to say was a doubt in my mind Dec 7, 1941 Ill ever be grateful to our country which was kind enough to give me such a happy moment

America is a great country. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do my little bit for it. After being overseas, I'm really going to appreciate everything that it offers me. Its great to be back and I'm not kidding.

Great but when overseas we soldiers hear so much of the people doing without a long amount of thing & when we return to see all for ourselves we like to return and go back overseas.