^Country's Problems Without Precedent"
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ALS ^H ^ •lll*idl*llll* •HumRRO Vol. XXII _, FORTORD,CflLIFORnia FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1962 No. 22 General Decker Cautions ^Country's Problems Without Precedent" firm is backed by the military ability to do so. To be meaningful, this capability must also be obvious to those -who would oppose us. All members of the "National Guard and Reserve who have been called up are a major part of the military power of the United States. That power is essential to the security of our country and to the outcome of the struggle between freedom and communism. Unlike the soldiers in Vietnam, units stationed in the United States are not in a combat area now, but could be, if needed, on a few days' notice. Guardsmen and reservists on active duty are a part; of the US Army in being, a part of America's might, and even though not now engaged in combat are contributing significantly to our effort to convince the Commu nists of our determination and ability to stand firm and our readiness to fight if necessary. They are thus performing exactly the same functions as the Regular Army, and these functions are vital. As to how long reservists will be required to remain on active duty, the facts are these. The Congressional resolution under -which reservists were called up provides that they will be released from- active duty within 12 months of the time they came on. The President has said publicly that they will not be retained on active duty any longer than needed. TWO NEW DIVISIONS The Regular Army is already building two new divisions and other supporting units out of the large numbers of draftees of last fall, who are just now, -month by month, coming out of basic training. But this takes time. If reservists now on active duty were to go home before these new units are ready, the US Army would be greatly weakened. The plans for release of reservists are receiving the most earnest attention of my self, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Defense and the President. When they will go home depends on the way the international situation develops in the GENERAL G. H DECKER nex* few mon^s an& *he time the Regular Army will need to replace the combat power that they represent. Recent actions of reservists protesting (1) their retention on active duty and DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED (2) lack of information as to the date on which they shall be released are matters of When a specific date can be set, it will be promptly announced. But in the mean- serious concern. Prompt and effective steps must be taken to cause members of- the time the Army has the job of contributing its share to our Nation's ability to pre- Reserve Components to understand and accept the reasons that they must be retained, serve its freedom with honor. on active duty. This is not a new challenge to the Army but one that, has been met -many times COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY before with steadfast devotion and courage. It is necessary that those who now wear the Army uniform be convinced that they should wear it with the same sense of Keeping this situation under control is a command responsibility and requires pr^e an^ dedication as has characterized the service of those who have worn it in prompt attention at all levels of command. It is recognized that the great -majority ffoe hast, of reservists on active duty are serving faithfully and without complaint. However, Q_ pj_ DECKER it is obvious that the situation is not completely under control throughout all com- _ , _ T . , _ . , r j 6 General, United States Army mands. The problems facing our country today are without precedent in our Chief of Staff history and obviously difficult for some to comprehend. Consequently, a continuing effort must be made by all commanders and especially by those at company, troop, and battery level to explain these problems adequately ^/^JUJUAkJIMklf* f CkJCDAI 'C frtJUkACklTC and to convince their men of the soundness of the reasons that cause their V*\/lWMAINUIlVVJ VSCIN tl\>\L d WV/mlVlCl>| I d retention on active service. Actually, our country is, in a very real sense, at war and all members of the I extend my sincere congratulations to the members of the Command Army should be keenly aware of this fact. There has been no formal declaration of for their unselfish devotion to duty. war, but the threat to our national security is real, is grave, and is backed by tremen- your conduct has Jnade it clear that you fully understand and appre- dous military power in the hands of the Communist bloc. r . ,. , , , _, . _ _ ciate the gravity of the current situation as outlined by the Chief of Staff. TENSION INCREASING You have not allowed yourselves to be victimized by uninformed, unpatrio- The threat to Berlin has by no means disappeared. On the contrary, tension has tic or subversive influences that might seek to organize mass protests or actually been increasing as the Soviets have been making daily efforts to degrade or action which could reflect against you or the US Army. deny access through the air corridors. On the other side of the world, in South Asia, the situation is also very serious. It has been necessary to deploy Army units to that area to assist the Vietnamese in their efforts to repel the Communists who are en-. ^^^^6==* "?1—i—^ deavoring to take over the country. Several American soldiers and airmen have given ^•"\-* •>—^ their lives there already. O. C. TROXEL JR. Although some of our people may not appreciate the really serious situation we face today, the fact is that there are almost daily efforts to make us back down. Our Maj Gen, USA country and our President must have the sure knowledge that our intention to stand Commanding PflGGTUJO FORT ORD PfiNORRMfl FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1962 'Operati on L Jpdate" To Posf C/V///Cins Corner Many Civil Service employees are after a year's separation to work a Open at C March 29 convinced that "home study" leads El Toro, down Santa Ana way, ha MP to advancement, if training certifi returned and is behind the desk s "Operation Upda te," a ser ies of four lectures "on modern cates can be accepted as proof. the office. Hope Martha Barnwe Those, recently having training addi also comes back. She's gone trave educational developm ents for "1 he forgotten woman in the edu- THE MEASURE OF A MAN tions added to their 201 files are ing with her parents (Gen and Mr cational scheme . t ic woman who, having been out of school Beulah S. Fones, Prank B. Herald, B) Around Florida, New Englan for some time, yearns to know ^vhat's going on in the colleges," It has been said that the "Measure Burl U. Woodman, Jesse H. Banta, and other places they've lived, wit will open Thursday, 3\/larch 29, c it Monterey Peninsula College. of A Man" is his value to himself, Ralph D. Schwarztrauber, Elfried an aim toward choosing one in whic The series, co-sponsorc d by MPC<•> his family and to the community in Bellamy, Jewel F. Gabbert, Dorine to settle down. Marian Kreger als which he lives — now and in the fu and the American Ass( Delation of Roger Home and Mrs Harry G. C. Jackson, Norman A. Morton, left CDEC— but only as far as Pos ture. University Women, Mon terey Pen- Danilson, assisted by Mrs Murray Lyle H. Lewis, Charles C. Parsons, Transportation. insula Branch, was initiat sd last year J. Marshall and Miss Margaret "Value," when used in this sense, Nikola S. Radovich, Marie B. Car- * <r fc as a "capsule college refresher Thompson of the MPC staff, will be can have many meanings and can bee (two certificates), Jean Judge SMARTER THAN EVER, tw course" patterned after a similar one in charge of facilities. prove difficult to define; however, we Concepion R. Borgeson (two certi Ordites have returned from a cours offered at Radcliffe Colle ge. often think of it in terms of how ficates), Stephen E. Roses (two certi to further their already advance Featuring four MPC instructors good a provider he is for his family, ficates), and Richard R. Carbee. careers. Frank Frizelle of the Comp in talks about their indiv dual fields, Lt Col Waszac how active he is in civil undertak troller's office and John Robinson o it drew large, enthusiastic audiences, ings and how well he responds when Dominic L. Marquez has started Finance and Accounting have jus an AAUW award for community Assigned Panama called upon during his daily activi study to complete requirements for returned from Fort Benjamin Harr service, and many subs equent in- Lt Col Edwin J. Waszac, a re ties. his high school diploma. His endea son, Ind., where they attend a thre quiries from other parts c f the state. cent graduate of the Spanish Lan These are among the many attri vor is costing him both money and week Command Channel Stock Fun Arthur Oswald, MP " anthro- guage Department of ALS, and butes to "The Measure of A Man." effort. Course. pology instructor, will 1 aunch the former Fort Ord deputy chief of How is he to achieve the heights 1962 version of "Oper. ition Up- staff departed this week for an as and goals he sets for himself? Only QM NEWS. Janet Levine reports date" at the opening s« •ssion. Dr signment to Panama.