Let George Do It

For some time to come, Army officers figure, the U.S. is going to need an Army of around 2,500,000 men--close to ten times its pre-World War II force. Who is going to serve in it? Almost no one wants to. Everybody--18-year-olds about to be drafted, new draftees, veterans with few points, veterans with a lot of points--is singing the same refrain: "I want to be a civilian."

Last week Harry Truman had some advice for Congressmen, who will have to solve the dilemma. Said the President: "We owe it to those now in the armed forces that they be returned to civilian life with all possible speed. . . . We cannot rely on voluntary recruitment. ... I therefore urge that the Congress continue inductions."

In its solicitude for the nation's youngest men, on the one hand, and its promises to "bring the boys back home" on the other, Congress was likely to get snarled up. Best guess about what it would do: Selective Service would be continued; bigger inducements would be held out to volunteers. (The Army started this week to put out new-style posters.)

Loosening Grip. Meanwhile veterans looked over their chance of getting out--not soon, but now.

The Army was gradually loosening its grip. The way it stood last week, Army enlisted men (with a few exceptions among needed special technicians) could get out if they had 80 points (WACs, 41 points) as of Sept. 2, 1945; if they were 38 years or over; if they were 35-37 and had a minimum of two years of honorable service. Officers, hitherto excluded from the general point system of release, will get out only if they have the following score: warrant officer, flight officer--80 points; second lieutenant to captain--85; major to colonel--100. Generals can get out if they are no longer needed.

The Army promised that men with 45 points as of May 12, men 37 years old, and 34-to-36-year-olds with one year of honorable service will not be sent overseas.

The Navy, heedful at last of the loud squawks which followed the recent announcement of its system for discharge ( 1/2) point for each year of age and month of active service, 10 points for dependency), liberalized its policy to the extent of allowing 1/4 point for each month overseas. Critical scores remained: 44 for enlisted men and aviators, 49 for officers. The new ruling, the Navy estimated, would make an additional 423,000--a total of 750,000 --immediately eligible for release.

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