National Defense

Publication Year: 1942.

National Defense

During 1941 the Club placed its special knowledge at the disposal of the War Department and at the present time three of our members have been called to permanent posts in Washington where their experience is being applied to National Defense.

In November, the Secretary of War announced the activation of the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Mountain Regiment (Reinforced) and the Club was requested by the War Department to aid in the obtaining of information concerning acceptable candidates for that unit. Accordingly, questionnaires were mailed to a selected list of Club members requesting prompt compliance with the accompanying instructions.

The following should be brought to the attention of draftees and volunteers who enter the Army in anticipation of service with mountain troops:

While every effort will be made by the Army to transfer men to a mountain unit upon completion of 13 weeks of basic training, no guarantee of transfer can be made since, in addition to his mountaineering experience, a man’s record while in basic training and the recommendation of his commanding officer will be taken into account.

Civilian instructors, if required at all, will be few in number. Such instructors, it seems reasonable to assume, will be selected from personnel available from the immediate vicinity of the training camp.

Once a man enters the Army his questionnaire follows his itinerary until he reaches an advanced training center. The American Alpine Club, therefore, loses track of his movements. Members of the Club who are drafted or who volunteer are therefore requested to advise the Club of such action so that, should a questionnaire be misdirected, every effort may be made to effect transfer to a mountain unit. Please address notification of induction to the Chairman, National Defense Committee, American Alpine Club, 140 East 46th Street, New York City.