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

Page 84 text:

Officers of 'che Separation Center. SEPAH TIU uDischarge,,' that magic word that means homey to millions of embattled soldiers of the widespread fighting forces of the United States, became a reality at Fort Braggis Separation Center on November 6, 19-14, as this Wzir Department Personnel Center ollicially hcgan its func- tions. unit of the The Separation Center, Fort Bragg, is one of the seventeen Army installations set up in the nation to handle the discharging of military personnel. The administrative machinery of the Separation Center is expected to take care of hundreds ol' separatees sent here daily. Men and women report here for discharfr f h ge or t e convenience of the Government, or other military reasons, and are homeward bound civilians within 48 hours after arrival. The Center handl l es mae personnel, officer and enlisted from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia and 7 female personnel from the seven southeastern states of the Fourth Service Command, plus the- states, Virginia and Louisiana. Wheri the separatee Hrst arriwes t h , - c ' f a t c Separation Center, he delivers his papers and surplus clothing, after which he is billeted. His records are then initiated for the processing to follow. While items of his past civilian and military activities are being checked, he is given a thorough physical examination. In the event any contagious disease is present he receives 'I ,d' IHITIP lal1S COI'I'0CllV6 tI'CillI'I1CI'll to ll1C extent necessary. Having passed the physical examination the separatee is given orientation lectures explaining Separation Center processing, classification procedure, in- surance, the C. I. Bill of Rights, and what is expected of him when he arrives home. The-se lectures are given by officers of the Counselling Branch. Center: General Kennedy hands out 'First discharge. Bottom: Officer Separation Section.

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Page 85 text:

A Chaplain Talks to Dischargees IIE TEH Next the separatee is counselled by trained enlisted personnel as to occupational, social, and personal problems that he must face as a civilian. Every effort is made to have the separatee mentally conditioned as to the changes that have taken place in his home town while he has been in service. Especially is this emphasized with those who have seen foreign service. Orientation and counselling are two outstanding features of the Separation Center. They are characteristic of the planned processing of separatees, as distinguished from procedure that followed World War l, in which a soldier was separated in his own unit without special regard for his future relationship in society. They mark the humane and:-regardful attitude of the Army for the outgoing indi- vidual. Besides the usual Separation Qualification Record a new War Department form is given to the separatee, enabling him to present accurate evidence to his old or new employer as to his civilian and Army occupational history. Duplicates go to State Selective Service boards which have the respon- sibility of reinstating the discharged soldier in his old job. The Veterans Administration and United States Em- ployment representative of the War Manpower Commission assist the soldier in securing a job under a new employer if the soldier desires to change from his old job. Represent- atives of the Veterans Administration, United States Employ- ment Service, Selective Service, and American Red Cross are always available to the separatee during his stay at the Center. The Commanding Officer of the Separation Center is Major O. D. Doehler, whose previous assignment was Com- manding Oliicer of the Armed Forces Induction Station at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. Counsellors Tall: to Separatees Fiscal Section, Separation Center Separaiees Receiving Final Pay and Service Badges