ARMY RECRUITING IN AMERICA
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The problem of Army recruiting today is a very difficult subject, and the writer has read with much interest the troubles the British are having. You may be interested to know some of the methods we use, although our ideals vary greatly from yours. All our deductions from the Enlisted Men's pay are voluntary, such as twenty-five cents a month for the Old Soldiers' Home, Life or Endowment Insurance, &c. The Canteen produces the Company Fund, which, as you know, is built up by the profits of the barber shop, tailor, sweets and " Pop." The Company Fund fits up a room with billiards, magazines, piano, radio, furniture, &c.
Various schools are held where civil life trades are taught, so when leaving the Service they can obtain a position. The chance of going to West Point is also an added inducement. The Foreign Service, for two years, seems to draw in many recruits.
We have a democratic system of saluting the uniform of our country and not the man who wears it ; he has to gain the confidence and respect in other ways. With our Constitution the phrase, " All men are created equal," makes this possible. The feeling between our officers and the enlisted men is more like the Canadian and Australian.
We, too, have trouble with all amusement places in allowing soldiers and sailors to enter. They state they are usually drunk and want to fight, but officers retort by stating the prohibiting of these men drives them into the low places and causes this. Our depression, however, has drawn a better class.
With the higher mentality they are more studious and prefer staying in barracks and perfecting themselves also physically by athletics, for which all necessary equipment is bought out of the Company Funds.—Yours very truly,
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