Union College - Garnet Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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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.

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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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inspiring it is to rise, open one's eyes, stumble through the stygian darkness and then dash out into a 40 M.P.H. gale in Himsy trunks and frolic with mother nature and Chief Petty Ofiicers!! After calisthenics at 0620 there is nothing to do until 0700 except shower, shave, dress, shine shoes and prepare for personal inspection. Then to really start the day on the right foot, Hale House eggs. Every Tuesday and Saturday noon each man dons his puttees, more appropriately called boots, and prepares to lose that ounce of weight gained from the morning's eggs by the simple method of close order drill. Alexander or Library Field is the site of this sole breaking project. After forty-five min- utes of studying the back of the neck of the man in front of you, the welcome order, March to Chow, is given. For some reason marching does not seem quite so tedious now. Once a week, on Saturday afternoon, Captain's Inspection is held, at which time the trainees line up on Library Field for a personal inspection by the C. O. Woe to the poor sailor who forgot to shine his shoes or get that haircut, for this is the inspection. Another tradition that has grown up at Union for the Navy men is the awkward squad. This is a group of men who have gone wrong and are pay- ing for it by marching from approximately 1430 to 1750 f2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.j, on Saturday afternoons. The misdemeanors may be anything from dirty fingernails to late for class. The men are mustered and then the fun begins. Up the hill and down the hill, right flank, left Hank, and to the rear Harch. At the end the Chief greets you with a See you next Saturday! Generally, those students who had attended college previous to entering V-12 are permitted to continue towards the same scholastic goals. Others, and those who have never been to college before, are assigned to a course known as Basic. Under this set-up some of the trainees are pre-medical students, others are deck, engineering and supply officer candidates, but the one course that seems to be universal is the Commando Course. However, the price of cord wood has risen to eight dollars and from all reports its going to be a long, hard winter. So ----- . Since the V-12 is known as the College Training Program, it is only proper that a little time be spent in describing the intensive and strenuous studying in which the average trainee indulges. From 2000 until 2200 f8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.j every week-day evening study rules are in effect. Every man is to study unless he is at the library. Some do and some don't.