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Nile Kinnick correspondence, August-December 1940

1940-06: Page 05

feel no obligation to go before your number is called but that you would volunteer the moment the U.S. declared war. As far as a man's honor is concerned I certainly think he should not feel obligated to go before called even tho intensely in favor of the the defense program. However, volunteering the moment war is declared does not give U. Sam a soldier -- just a healthy man, that is all. It takes much practice hard work, etc. to turn out a good soldier and that requires time. And what applies to the individual soldier applies to the whole army. Germany realizes this and thus has had a jump on all her adversaryies. It is as plain as the nose on your face that we are going to be actively involved in some way or another and we would be doing the country a fine service to get in the military force somewhere as soon as possible. That is what my highest sense of right bids me do altho I have to admit I have done nothing. Of course, a man can't go into a war with the idea he is going to be a star but on the other hand it is my hope that a desire to do my very best will motivate my action in this effort as in most others. Secondly, you have noted with disapproval the length of time involved if we a man should volunteer. To that I have already alluded and will add only this. The experience and education would be invaluable reagardless of what a fellow might do afterward--tho possibly more so in my case than yours. Also you and I have not made such a start in life that leaving civilian life will rob us of a lucrative job and position that could not be readily re-attained. In fact if we were to go into the air corps we would be pikers if we could not save at least $3000 or so in four years at $245 a month. That would be a nice next egg even if we would be about 28 or 30 yrs old. It might even be that we would want to make a career in one of our country's services, who knows. There are many things worse. Now Thirdly, you said that men with ability at leadership would do better in the army where the handling of men is one of the prime requisites rather than handling a machine which anyone can do. To that I can but say that your statement has merit and probably is very true. However, working up from a buck private doesn't appeal to me so much, nor does $21 a month. (Even as I write that I suddenly feel that mayhap that would be best in the long run, so you see I still am rather indecisive) Now in reading thus far you will note two things I haven't mentioned. One is the possibility of death on the field of action which I have omitted because it is in my makeup to plan to come back regardless. The other is I haven't given recognition to the fact that the glamour, patriotism, and desire for new experience has increased my enthusiasm. To that I must say that my intense belief in the rightness of the cause for which we are preparing is justly and correctly buttressed by such emotions. There is no need to lose all rationality and common sense, however, and that I think I still retain. Now after all this talk what have I actually done. Only this. I have written down to Iowa to find out how long it would take me to satisfy the math requirement if I should take it by correspondence and I have satisfied myself that the four year angle would not interfere with my volunteering in some part of the service if the money and education is what I now believe it to be. As a personal feeling I should add that I would hate to go before the middle of August at the earliest and will wait at least that long before volunteering. So if my number comes in the meantime  I shall be a draftee after all. One more thing ---if a man can satisfy the math requirement fo the Reserve Officer's Training course and pass the physical he wouldn't have to go until Sept. 15 which is the next class and in the meantime he would be deferred from Army call. Furthermore, at the end of four months when he gets his commission he may at his desire lay it aside (put it on the shelf, as they call it) and starting all over go into the Air Corps. Then if he should bust out of there he can still pick up his Ensign Commission in the Navy. That sounds like a good education, good money, and not an undesirable experience as military experiences go. I repeat again as we both have mentioned before it would be nice to serve together wherever it may be. We might not be able to stay together but then again we might. At least it would be fine to start out together. That is my viewpoint at the present time. I have spoken from my own selfish angle and made undue assumptions concerning your posture of affairs and inclinations. Please write soon and let me know how you feel and whether I have said anything which appeals to you. If your draft number wouldn't come up till winter probably you had better bid me a fond adieu. In any event don't do anything rash on the strength of this letter. And I would appreciate it if you would keep these views and intentions in the LODGE.

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feel no obligation to go before your number is called but that you would volunteer the moment the U.S. declared war. As far as a man's honor is concerned I certainly think he should not feel obligated to go before called even tho intensely in favor of the the defense program. However, volunteering the moment war is declared does not give U. Sam a soldier -- just a healthy man, that is all. It takes much practice hard work, etc. to turn out a good soldier and that requires time. And what applies to the individual soldier applies to the whole army. Germany realizes this and thus has had a jump on all her adversaryies. It is as plain as the nose on your face that we are going to be actively involved in some way or another and we would be doing the country a fine service to get in the military force somewhere as soon as possible. That is what my highest sense of right bids me do altho I have to admit I have done nothing. Of course, a man can't go into a war with the idea he is going to be a star but on the other hand it is my hope that a desire to do my very best will motivate my action in this effort as in most others. Secondly, you have noted with disapproval the length of time involved if we a man should volunteer. To that I have already alluded and will add only this. The experience and education would be invaluable reagardless of what a fellow might do afterward--tho possibly more so in my case than yours. Also you and I have not made such a start in life that leaving civilian life will rob us of a lucrative job and position that could not be readily re-attained. In fact if we were to go into the air corps we would be pikers if we could not save at least $3000 or so in four years at $245 a month. That would be a nice next egg even if we would be about 28 or 30 yrs old. It might even be that we would want to make a career in one of our country's services, who knows. There are many things worse. Now Thirdly, you said that men with ability at leadership would do better in the army where the handling of men is one of the prime requisites rather than handling a machine which anyone can do. To that I can but say that your statement has merit and probably is very true. However, working up from a buck private doesn't appeal to me so much, nor does $21 a month. (Even as I write that I suddenly feel that mayhap that would be best in the long run, so you see I still am rather indecisive) Now in reading thus far you will note two things I haven't mentioned. One is the possibility of death on the field of action which I have omitted because it is in my makeup to plan to come back regardless. The other is I haven't given recognition to the fact that the glamour, patriotism, and desire for new experience has increased my enthusiasm. To that I must say that my intense belief in the rightness of the cause for which we are preparing is justly and correctly buttressed by such emotions. There is no need to lose all rationality and common sense, however, and that I think I still retain. Now after all this talk what have I actually done. Only this. I have written down to Iowa to find out how long it would take me to satisfy the math requirement if I should take it by correspondence and I have satisfied myself that the four year angle would not interfere with my volunteering in some part of the service if the money and education is what I now believe it to be. As a personal feeling I should add that I would hate to go before the middle of August at the earliest and will wait at least that long before volunteering. So if my number comes in the meantime I shall be a draftee after all. One more thing ---if a man can satisfy the math requirement fo the Reserve Officer's Training course and pass the physical he wouldn't have to go until Sept. 15 which is the next class and in the meantime he would be deferred from Army call. Furthermore, at the end of four months when he gets his commission he may at his desire lay it aside (put it on the shelf, as they call it) and starting all over go into the Air Corps. Then if he should bust out of there he can still pick up his Ensign Commission in the Navy. That sounds like a good education, good money, and not an undesirable experience as military experiences go. I repeat again as we both have mentioned before it would be nice to serve together wherever it may be. We might not be able to stay together but then again we might. At least it would be fine to start out together. That is my viewpoint at the present time. I have spoken from my own selfish angle and made undue assumptions concerning your posture of affairs and inclinations. Please write soon and let me know how you feel and whether I have said anything which appeals to you. If your draft number wouldn't come up till winter probably you had better bid me a fond adieu. In any event don't do anything rash on the strength of this letter. And I would appreciate it if you would keep these views and intentions in the LODGE.