Los Banos Rotary Club History
Base Commander Tells Of Draft

Col. Robert Terrill, commandant of Castle Field, Merced, addressed the Los Banos Rotary Club Tuesday noon on plans for compulsory military training as provided for under the 1948 draft law. All branches of the armed forces, Colonel Terrill said, will be much better able to administer the training this time than they were in 1940, due to improved facilities, and the experience that has come from the intensive training program in effect for the last eight years.

The training of the individual will be particularly stressed with specialized training and advancement opportunities for those who qualify. In the air force new men will be given eight weeks of basic training, then screened by aptitude and educational tests for specialized work. For young men who have not finished high school, facilities will be provided whereby they may continue their education while in service, and receive their high school diploma on completion of their work.

Recreational and religious facilities will be provided at all bases, Colonel Terrill said, and everything possible will be done to make the selectee's period of training as interesting and profitable as possible.
Colonel Terrill also spoke briefly of his own base and its importance as a unit of the strategic command forces.

The speaker was introduced by program chairman Charles Bates.

July 13, 1948

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