CIVILIAN OPPORTUNITIES IN NATIONAL DEFENSE

As A RESULT of inquiries from alumni seeking information about ways of preparing themselves for civilian service in the national defense program, a faculty group has studied the question and reported to the central committee of American Defense, Dartmouth Group. Professor Harold M. Bannerman, John Pearson '11, executive director of the Dartmouth Eye Institute, and Albert I. Dickerson 'go, executive assistant to the President, investigated the question of "Civilian Opportunities for Defense." Alumni who are especially interested in taking advanced university training courses for defense positions are invited to address inquiries to the Dartmouth Group at 230 Baker Library, Hanover.

The following summary of information is given as a general indication of results of the survey.

(1) That the positions in which there is urgency and a shortage of men are in large part technical in nature or of a kind requiring specific types of experience; hence there is little the average college graduate can contribute in the government services unless he has these proficiencies or undergoes a period of intensive training to attain them.

(2) That the specially trained men (scientists and technicians) sought by government agencies at present, have been, or will be, registered by the Roster of Scientific Men, gathered by the federal agency headed by Dr. Carraichael of Tufts College; hence those of our alumni who are qualified will in all likelihood be taken care of in this way.

(3) That appointments to the greater number of positions of the calibre likely to be sought by college alumni are controlled by the United States Civil Service Commission; hence a Civil Service examination of one sort or another is a necessary preliminary to participation in the work.

(4) That the employment of most men other than those taken care of under (2) and (3) is conducted largely through employment agencies (state and federal) which presumably are coordinated with the Personnel Office of the Defense Commission at Washington, D. C., and we were advised by Mr. Frank Bane, Director of State and Local Cooperation, that those interested in employment should communicate with said office in Washington.

(5) That men of the "dollar-a-year" type who are qualified and interested in offering their services should make their availability known to the division head (in the Office of Production Management) directly concerned with the special work in which the volunteer is experienced.

Although the committee is agreed there is little that can be done for alumni other than put them in touch with proper authorities, there is the possibility that graduates with a background of scientific studies or experience (in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering and allied fields) are eligible for special training courses in certain universities. Such a background and preparation are essential for responsible service in civilian defense positions.

In another phase of the committee's survey, the careful selection of courses is strongly urged for undergraduates. Because of the essential nature of science courses as prerequisites to advanced university work, for Civil Service examinations, and even for service in the armed forces, the importance of taking full advantage of certain courses in the college curriculum has been pointed out to the undergraduate body.