Union College - Garnet Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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Q-J 59 Anchors Awei gh The first contingent of V-12 students to arrive at Union College were sailors burdened with lashed-up sea bags and hammocks. Witliirl the next few days preceding july 1, approximately four hundred and seventy-five reserves reported for active duty under the Navy V-12 College Training Program. These men plus the nucleus of Heet men formed the trainee complement of the V-12 Unit at Union College. Many of these men had their first taste of Navy discipline on the day they arrived at Union. A large percentage was comprised of students formerly at- tending universities in the New York City area. These men were mustered and marched onto the train at Grand Central Station, New York City. They

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were a motley crew. Many appeared to be going to a country club for a vaca- tion rather than to the Navy. How soon were they to realize that the tennis raclcets and golf clubs would find little use! These were to be the students of Union College. Wlmen the complete unit was assembled at Union, a military organization was formed of three companies and ten platoons. Quarters were established in North and South Colleges and in on-campus fraternity houses. It is said that an army marches on its stomach. The Navy, being more Versatile, marches on its feet, but dashes to chow. The problem of feeding five hundred hungry and fastidious sailors rested heavily on the Hale House man- flgffr, Mr. South. Despite scattered complaints, by a few meticulous souls, it is reported that he is doing a fine job. Once a month the eagle swoops low over Silliman Hall and drops the Sum of fifty dollars for each trainee, at least that is the theory. Here is what actually happens. As apprentice seamen they receive this huge sum in one lump, an amount which they cannot possibly spend in one month's time. First, there is the matter of insurance, which we all took out volun- tarily, but didn't regret after all. Then comes our secondary contribution to the war effort, war bond allotments, leaving about thirty-five dollars from which small store purchases have yet to be deducted. If you are fortunate the WAVE Pay Officer will hand you about 353000. Before you can meditate on 110W to spend the money, you feel the clutching hand of the laundry. Remem- ber those whites that didn't stay white while drilling in the mud, the laundry washed them and now wants to be paid-and in cash. Oh, well, still twenty- five dollars. Will you look who is coming, Completely forgot about that 'fin' you borrowed, didn't you? Well, S l cheer up, Pop still has his defense job. Pay day unfortunately is but once a month. Fortunately for the trainee there is calisthenics every morning except Sunday at 0600 Navy time, 6:00 A.M. Civilian time. This is truly one of the most pleas- ant periods of a trainee's day. How Commander Case giving the boys the routine ficker check-up.