In the Fall of 1940, there was enacted the Draft Act which Congress had passed because many believed we might be drawn into the War in Europe. Men, 21 years and older, had to register and were classified according to "fitness". The first draftees went into Service in October, 1940, with the understanding that they could leave the Service in October of 1941.

I've noted elsewhere that, although not yet of Drafting age, I believed a War was coming, so I volunteered and was inducted into the Army Air Corps, Jan. 27, 1941, and sent to Kelly Field, TX.

However, as ominous events continued to occur, we GIs started to believe that te latter promise could not be fulfilled. GraFitti appeared on latrine walls, on sidewalks, on varioius "billboards", declaring "OHIO", meaning "Over the Hill in October" -- that is, "If they don't discharge me at the end of my year's service, I'll run away!"

Our country was not even prepared for this "limited preparedness", let alone to go on a "war footing". I didn't have a uniform until 3 months as induction. For two months we recruits lived in tents that couldn't be properly "ditched around", so the tent floor became a puddle whrnit rained.

We were only allowed to go into the Latrine for biological functions, because it was also needed by those who had already completed Recruit Training. So we arose at 5 A.M., washed and shaved at an outside water trough in cold water. When I went on Guard Duty, I had only a wooden club to "enforce security". Fortunely, by passing a written exam, I transferred to the Weather Service and didn't finish Recruit Training, so can't tell any more about the conditions. But clearly .....

During the first year of the War America was able to do little in Defense and almost nothing in Offense. Anyone flying near the Gulf, as I was able to do occasionally, could see smoke rising on the horizon from American ships sunk by German submarines.

Eventually, we got equipped for War and prosecuted it to a great success. But the memory of this lack of preparedness has haunted the Military and politicians ever since. So, I think, we have gone to the other extreme! Certainly, the politicians wanted it because it brought in production or training money for their districts. My generation of citizens went along with it, and created a public attitude that has mostly been unchallenged.

This was the main issue that elected John F. Kennedy to the Presidency in 1960 -- that Eisenhower and Nixon had not done enough about Defense. It was one of the main issues that elected and re-elected Ronald Reagan to the Presidency in 1980 and 1984. And it is one of the principal "slammers" of Republicans against Democrats during the Clinton Adminnistration.

But findings of extravagance have been made year after year against "The Pentagon". Remember "the four hundred dollar toilet seats"? Back when punched cards were used in computing, apparently enough punched cards were bought to last a decade or more -- all almost useless, since computers went over to internal programming and magnetic disks.

Many believe these are coverups for secret funds for "future preparedness". But if not this, what?

One rumor is that aliens really did land in Roswell, New Mexico, and perhaps elsewhere, in the 1950's, and "The Pentagon" has built a secret base to study them -- a theme developed in the film, "Independence Day".

We also read that Congress passes funds for weapons the Pentagon does not ask for and do not want! For example, Senator Trent Lott (Miss.), Senate Majority Leader, secured appropriations for the building in his state of a ship which the Navy does not want.

My point is "billions for alleged Defense", but stinginess on pay for Military Personnel and for needs of Veterans and fight off any claims of toxic endangerment while on duty.

This is "the fruit of the poisoned tree" that has grown up in The Era of The Bastard Wars.