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The objectives of a discussion program in the Army are:
1. To furnish information, not otherwise available to troops, on international, national, community, and personal problems.
2. To train men in democratic methods of studying and solving community, national, and international problems.
3. To offer men opportunity for orderly exchange and adjustment of individual opinions on public issues of contemporary importance.
4. To strengthen morale by assisting men to recognize, analyze, and understand problems that otherwise may trouble and confuse them.

Warning: It is important that all officers who are given or who assume responsibility for organizing or for leading Army discussions interpret the third objective with care. In phrasing this objective the emphasis has been placed deliberately upon individual opinions. It is desired that officially conducted off-duty discussions attempt neither to indoctrinate men with a particular point of view nor to lead them to any type of action such as passing resolutions, initiating petitions, or otherwise crystallizing a group opinion. The purpose of the meetings should be that of offering information and providing opportunity for study. The leader should meet his group with the attitude of an educator, not with that of a propagandist. 

II. Stimulating interest
For some time discussion groups and forums of one type or another have been an active part of off-duty education in many Army camps and commands. The success and persistence of many of these groups make it obvious that this is a kind of activity in which many Army men are interested. Research studies within the Army have found personnel to be equally interesting in discussing problems related to the war and problems related to the home front. 
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