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utilization, for instance. Such uncertainty, and its attendant friction, was localized, however, and often existed in places in which there was also friction because of the overlapping of jobs held by civilians and male military personnel. Similarly, the question of social fraternization between male officers and enlisted women, or female officers and enlisted men, continued to present problems in some places - but it too was only part of a larger question of social fraternization between all officers and all enlisted personnel.(1)

Part of an Evolution

All in all, there can be little doubt that, even though the recruiting of women volunteers was an expensive process and even though the number recruited was only a very small part of the AAF's strength, women did contribute many critically needed administrative and clerical skills - not generally possessed by men - to the AAF at a time where there was a very great need for such skills. The intangible things which the WAC program contributed heightened esprit because of friendly

1. The most sensible rule of thumb which was worked out in answer to this problem, as it affected Wacs, during World War II, was the simple, unwritten rule followed in most good business offices: The stenographer does not accept a date her employer or immediate supervisor; the employer or immediate supervisor does not ask his stenographer for a date. Similarly in the army, although plenty of officer husbands and enlisted wives (or vice versa), or fiances [[finances]], or old friends, were seen dancing and dining together, Wacs where this rule was followed did not accept dates from their immediate supervisors and their immediate supervisors did not ask them for dates. The term "immediate supervisor" sometimes applied to all officers stationed at the base at which the Wac was working.

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