U. S. Marines
DARTMOUTH MEN INTERESTED in obtaining a commission in the armed forces should not overlook the possibility of reserve commissions in the U. S. Marine Corps. Like the Army and the Navy, the Marine Corps is commissioning men from civilian life who have certain skills and experience. In general, such commissions are granted to men between the ages of zo and 50 with proper qualifications who have not been notified that they are to be inducted into the Army via Selective Service. Men of real business experience are particularly desired. Men should be in good physical condition; able to pass the standard reserve officer physical examination. In rare instances, commissions have been granted to men slightly over 50, whose skills are particularly desired. Those interested can write, setting out their qualifications, to the Commandant, U.S.M.C. Headquarters, Washington, or discuss the matter with the officer in charge at any Marine Corps recruiting station. Among the types of work in which commissions are granted are the following:
LINE OFFICERS: Some reserve commissions for line officer duty are granted to former officers of the Marine Corps and to graduates of Senior Reserve Officer's Training Corps. Most of the young men needed for line officers are obtained from members of graduating classes of colleges who enter the Marine Corps Candidates Class. However, it is important to stress that the Marine Corps will also accept a limited number of college graduates for Candidates Class training, and eventual 2nd lieutenant commissions, up to the age of 30. If married, the wife must present a statement of non-dependency beyond allotment possible from private's pay. In this type of training, the candidate serves ten weeks as private first class and three months as a 2nd lieutenant before assignment to troops. Those interested should contact the nearest Marine Corps recruiting station.
GROUND OFFICERS FOR AVIATION ADMINISTRATIVE DUTY: Here the primary qualification is successful administrative business experience. The age range is 27-42 years.
MOTOR TRANSPORT OFFICERS: Their duties are to supervise motorized equipment and repair depots. The qualification: automotive mechanical experience. Age limits: 27-45.
AIR INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS: For this work, the men desired are those with such backgrounds as experience in accurate interviewing or research work involving the evaluation of data. The active newspaper man or journalist of wide experience should qualify here. Ages are from 25-45.
Young men, between 25 and 35, with some knowledge of aviation, may qualify as fighter director in the air service. Men accepted are sent to the Reserve Officer School at Quantico, Virginia, for a ten weeks' course and later take a two months' course at a fighter director school. They are then assigned to an operating aircraft unit, where they control air operations by radio, plot aircraft courses on charts, etc.
Other possible Marine Corps reserve commissions include: Radio Engineering and ElectricalCommunications, college degree and specialized training required, ages 20-45; Graduate Civil Engineers, ages 27-45; Photographic officers, college degree plus professional photographic experience required, ages 25-45; Japanese Interpreters, ability to read, write and speak the language required for a commission, ages 20-50. Men with a limited knowledge of the language may be enlisted as yoemen, second class U.S.N.R. and will be given a course of instruction; Aviation Materiel Officers, training in maintenance work in airlines or aircraft corporations or in mechanical or aeronautical engineering required, ages 25-50.
