January 11, 1943 - Being Considered for Flight Lieutenant or Sergeant

  
  


Monday Morning

Dear Mom + Dad,

I have a day off today and so I will take time to scribble off a few lines.  It seems to me that I have neglected you lately as I’m so in the habit of that daily letter.  However, I really haven’t been able to sit down and write you every day.  I try to write as often as I can and I’m sure you appreciate my situation.

The latest news is that the upperclass is to stay a little longer than expected.  They are now leaving on Thursday instead of Wednesday.  Our school work finishes up tomorrow (Tues.).  I don’t know what we will do in the interim.  I think that our status as upperclassmen will probably go into effect on Thursday.  I don’t mind anymore as it is such a short time anyway.  It will only mean that we will have a little more freedom and that we will not be bothered all the time.  I am being considered for a position of either flight lieutenant or sergeant.  I don’t know if I will get it but at least I’m being considered.  I was called in and asked the opinion of a fellow underclassman which I gave quite frankly.  You see the upperclassmen pick their successors in order to run the place.  The only officers we have are commissioned and the rest of the jobs are filled by cadets.   I don’t really want it as it is only added responsibility and headaches.  But at least it is nice to know that I am being thought of for a responsible job whether I get it or not.

I took my last math course and I have passed it.  I took the test yesterday and I don’t know my grade but I know I passed as the flunks are posted so they can take a re-exam.  I have only one more test to take and that is air forces which is giving me no trouble.  I’m doing good so far in my academic work and nothing to worry about on that score.  I’m having a little trouble with code but I’m passing it.  I’m just not quite satisfied as I think I can do better.  Code has to come automatic and as yet I haven’t reached that state.  Code continues over to our upperclass so I guess it will come to me soon.  I have now only about 5 weeks and then I go over to primary to start my actual flying.  I’ll be glad when that comes as primary will tell whether I go on or whether I wash out.  You either can fly or you can’t and primary tells the story.  I’m anxious to find out.

I think that this afternoon I will try and get a money order off for $20 at least.  I have $85 in my pocket.  I have a few open posts coming up this month so I’ll need some, but I won’t need that much so I’ll try and send some home now and if I have an excess send some home when I get paid at the end of the month.  My first open post is coming up on a week from today.  IT will be good to go to town for a change.

The meal situation down here is really terrible.  For some reason there is a shortage of food for us and we are suffering as a consequence.  You see the cadets are on what they call a garrison ration.  This is we pay money for it and the mess buys independently.   While 99% of the army is on the quartermasters ration.  This is the government issues so much food to each outfit according to their needs.  It is a pretty sad state of affairs when the army has to have a shortage.  I think thought the situations will be remediated very shortly.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the garrison ration go out of the cadets and the regular quartermaster ration come in soon.

The radio you gave me is ticking away normally and I’m getting a kick out of it.  That thing can bring me more pleasure than almost anything you could have given me.  I sure appreciate it.  Every time I listen to it I think of you. 

I received another very nice letter from Dr Duryle.  I found time to answer it.  It is really very nice of him to take an interest in us boys.  Give him my best whenever you see him.

Well I guess this letter should make up for the shortage of late as it is rather long and cumbersome.

All my Love

Bobby

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