US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Bragg, NC)

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Q .f f Personnel Consultant Discusses Problem Facing Training Class Instruction is Provided for ell Trainees As men were called for induction into the service, a large number of them were rejected because they could not meet Army educational requirements. Many of these were able-bodied and intelligent, they simply had not had an opportunity to complete their education. Yet it was also known that lo be of value to our Army a soldier must be able to read instruction manuals and notices, and to read and write messages. This problem carrie to the atten- tion of leading educators, who laid out a plan whereby soldiers could be taught to read, write, and interpret orders, directives, and messages. This plan was adopted by the Army, and schools, called Special Training Units, were established throughout the country. Soldiers who are receiving instruction in the Special Training bnits represent every race and possess every language background imaginable. The basic reading and writing materials are the same for all. They tell of the experiences of Private Pete, a new recruit like the trainees, who does the things which they must learn to do. Additional materials are added to each unit according to its needs. Because a soldier would soon lose interest ill his Work if he were taught nothing but reading and writing all day, addi- tional subjects are covered, such as arithmetic, oral expres- sion, and Military Field Training. In the Military Field Training the soldier is given an introduction to each part of the basic training which he must take after being graduated from the Special Training Unit. All soldiers must take this basic training, but the Special Training Unit soldier has the opportunity to become familiar with it beforehand.

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An orientation movie and a lecture on the Articles of War complete his processing procedures. He is then re- turned to his barracks, where he awaits the shipment orders translierring him to il replacement training center. Although they have no direct contact with him during his stay at the Reception Center, several sections of station complement troops play a very important role in the pro- cessing procedures. 'lihere is, for example. the Records Section. which handles processes, completes, checks, and forwards his service records and allied papers. The Mess Section is responsible for feeding him while he is at the Center. lt also furnishes meals on troop trains leaving here. Although the mess halls can accommodate an average ol' 2,500 men per meal. records show that during the Peak ot' operation here as many as 7,200 men have lmeen fed one meal. The recreational and morale activities for the selectees and the overhead personnel are provided by the Special Services Section. 'l'ransportation for the men to their new stations, as well as motor transportation lor all Recep- tion Center installations, is furnished by the Transporta- tion Section. lfirst of the units to he completed at lfort Bragg during the expansion program. the Reception Center has processed approximately 200,000 men from this area. Un Sep- tember 1, 194--14 it became one ol' the units of the Wai Department Personriel Center, and is now under the com- mand of Major Dallas l. Larkin. Top, right: Newly arrived selectees at Checking Station .... Center, right: Selectees taking Army General Classification Test .... Bottom, right: Allotment and insur ance section .... Top, left: Selectees receive shots at the Medical Section. . . . Bottom, left: Detachment headquarters of Receiving Companies at Reception Center

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OFficers of the Special Training Unit. The level in reading and writing which these soldiers are required to attain before graduation approximates that of the fifth grade in elementary school. This appears to be rather low until it is realized that the average literate adult reads on a sixth grade level. The average time re- quired for this training is eight weeks. The Special Training Unit at Fort Bragg was estab- lished on June l, I943, for colored soldiers. Major Simon N. Graham, an able and experienced educator from Roanoke Rapids, N. C., was designated as Commanding Offl- cer. Starting with 65 trainees the unit rose on several oc- casions to an enrollment of 2,500 More than 11,000 were graduated from this unit. Most of the trainees, as well as in- structors, were from Noith and South Carolina. In addition to the personnel and facilities for the ad- ministration of the prescribed academic and military pro- grams, the Special Training Unit includes: an Educational Section, which produces graphic visual aids to learning, a Personnel Consultant Section, which assists with special educational problems and problems of adjustment, sa Special Services Ollicer, who looks after the social and re- creational requirements of the trainees, and two chaplains who administer to the spiritual needs of the trainees. In November, 1944-, the Special Training Unit for colored trainees was transferred from Fort Bragg to Fort Benning. Georgia. Its place was taken by a Special Training linit for white soldiers, which was transferred from Fort Jack- son, South Carolina. lr1 command of the Special Training Unit now at Fort Bragg is Major Benjamin I . Lenhardt. Top, right: Individual instruction is 'Furnished the trainees .... Center, right: Training office personnel at worlr .... Bottom, right: Display of flash cards used in Special Training Unit. I SPEEI!-II. TRAINING UNIT