| dc.description.transcription | 2-28-43 Dear Folks,If you happen to know anyone who is leaving for the army tell them to get in shape. Yesterday morning we took it easy, all we did was take another mental test. About ten times as hard as the entrance exam we took to get in. By the way,they told us that this test would not wash us out no matter how poor a grade we made on it, but itwas to determine how far back into college we should be sent. So it is a cinch that I will be back in college in a few weeks or maybe even days. But what I started to say at first about getting into shape still goes. Yesterday afternoon we went on a combination 10 mile hike and run. Hike four minutes run one, hike four, run one etc. Only on the way home we get behind schedule and ran most of the way. It nearly killed some of the boys but nearly everyone made it. I think every one in the barracks except Max Humphries, ex basketball player, and me, is so sore that they can hardly move. If they don’t hurry up and give me some G.I. shoes I’m going to be going barefooted because my “civvie” shoes can’t take it. The heels are practically wore to a nub.We are just now learning about this deal, that we are in. That is, why we are Pvts. and not Air Corps Cadets. Here before about 80% of the Cadets have been washing out because it was so rough. The “higherups” figured that a direct change from Civilian life to that of a Cadet was the cause so they devised this as an intermittent. The plan is too help prevent washouts, let’s hope it works. We were confined to barracks this morning so I didn’t go to church but I am going tonight. Most of the other boys are going too, that is those that aren’t too engrossed in the crap game in the back of the room. I have a few “barrack mates,” 96 in fact. The total capacity of our barrackis 63, so you see we are a little crowded. If you haven’t sent those coat hangers yet, get “high behind.”Tell everyone that I am getting along fine and that I still like the Army. I’ve got to quit now and get ready to go to church. I’ll write again sometime. Love,Joe | |
