Viewing page 44 of 124

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

as part of the unit performing the job in question. Abolition of WAAC grades would result in careful utilization, since Waacs would count against a command's overall allotment of grades and personnel; maximum freedom of assignment, since Waacs could be assigned to any job for which a military grade vacancy had been established; and elimination of duplication in manning tables and reports.

The War Department accepted AAF's recommendation (2), and in September published War Department Circular 226, 1943, to implement the new system for distributing Waacs and at the same time to insure that, under the new system, the Chief of Staff's directive of 2 May 1943 (3) as to policy for WAAC administration would continue to be carried out. In the May directive the Chief of Staff, while pointing out the Waacs were subject to" all basic obligations of the military service", had emphasized that some modification of rules which applied to men might be necessary to insure maximum efficiency of Waacs and "to make such special provisions for their welfare as are necessary because they are women". He had outlined the duties of the Director, WAAC; provided for the establishment of the position of WAAC staff director on the staff of all commands utilizing Waacs; and stipulated that all enlisted

2.  Disposition Form from War Department General Staff, G-1 Division, to Commanding General, AAF, WDGAP 320. 2 WAC, subject; The Allocation of Waacs and WAAC Grades, dated 24 September 1943.

3. Memorandum for the Commanding General, AAF, from the Chief of Staff, subject; WAAC policy, dated 2 May 1943.

-41-