Clarifies Reserve Position

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

I would like to clarify a statement ascribed to me in Thursday's CRIMSON, which is somewhat unfair to the officer and unit involved, and misleading to students.

The 356th Field Artillery Battlaion is a component of the 94th Infantry Division, Organized Reserve Corps. It is a "troop basis" unit, and, as such qualifies its members for postponement of induction under Selective Service administrative regulations. Under these regulations those who onlist in "troop basis" reserve units will not be called up by Selective. Service so long as they participate satisfactorily in reserve duties. This regulation can be changed at any time, however, by administrative order by General Hershey, but probably will remain in force as far as can be determined.

It might also be pertinent to point out that the commanding office of the 356th is Major W. Bruce Pirnie, Jr., '41, not Major Douglas D. Pirnie '43, as reported in the CRIMSON article.

Further, as regards the activation of reserve units, Major Pirnie pointed out that in his opinion his unit would not be called to active duty unless there is a major emergency. Although I respect Major Pirnie's opinion, which is based upon wide research and knowledge, I would like to emphasize that no reserve commander can say that his unit will or will not be called to active duty conclusively. Those who join reserve units are definitely subject to and may be called at any time.

I still feel that inasmuch as those students who have not received an order to report for a pre-induction physical examination may join reserve units later in the spring, they should wait and examine the new draft law and ensuing reserve policy before taking such a crucial step as enlistment.

Might I further point out that if a student decides he does want to join a reserve unit, the 356th is just about as good a "deal" as he will find in the reserve in this area. Alexander Clark   Assistant Director of Student Placement