What tactics does this pamphlet use to entice women into joining the WAACs? How do the questions reveal the anxieties women might have about joining? Did the invitation to women to serve in uniform during the war upend gender roles?
How did serving in the WAACs compare to working for the war effort at home (See "Do You Want Your Wife to Work After the War")? Did men and women view female war work differently?
Introduction
The Women鈥檚 Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs) was created in 1942. Renamed the Women鈥檚 Army Corps (WAC) shortly after this pamphlet was published by the War Department in 1943, the separate organization for women stayed in existence until 1978, when women were incorporated into previously all-male units. Approximately 150,000 women served in the WACs during World War II, but female officers could not command men. In 1943, recruiting into the WACs slowed due to widespread rumors that only disreputable women joined. This pamphlet was one attempt to change the image of WACs.
—Jennifer D. Keene
Source: United States Army Women鈥檚 Auxiliary Corps, 鈥73 Questions and Answers About the WAAC,鈥 World War II 鈥 Documents, Illinois State Library, item 11725223. .
Here鈥檚 everything you want to know about life in the WAAC. Here you鈥檒l find the answers to all your questions 鈥 about the work you鈥檇 do, the way you鈥檇 live, basic training, uniforms, pay, after-hours fun. Read every word! You’ll see why joining the WAAC is so vitally important, why it can be the most exciting adventure of your life.
1. What Is the WAAC?
W-A-A-C stands for Women鈥檚 Army Auxiliary Corps. When you join the WAAC, you work with the U. S. Army. No, not actually in the firing line. You don鈥檛 pull any triggers or fire any cannons. But you take over Army tasks that are essential to help our fighting men win.
The organization of the WAAC is similar to Army organization. Your pay is the same as Army pay. You wear a uniform as snappy as any Army man鈥檚, and you鈥檙e just as proud of it as he is!
Being a Waac is the biggest, most important job a girl can do in this war. To any girl with a true-blue heart, it鈥檚 a challenge and the thrill of a lifetime!
2. Why Are Women Needed for Military Service?
It鈥檚 true that in other wars the role of women has been a gentle one 鈥 to keep the home fires burning bright. But this war is different. It is more desperate and terrible than any war has ever been before. An urgent call has gone out from our Army. You, the women of America, are needed in the WAAC to serve with your soldiers. Can you fail to answer 鈥 when it may be within your power to help shorten the war and save the lives of American soldiers?
In the Army there are many vital tasks which you can do 鈥 tasks which can often be done better by women than by men. From Army officers everywhere come urgent messages: 鈥淭he Waacs are doing a great job. Give us more.鈥 But there aren鈥檛 enough Waacs to send. You are needed by our Army. You are needed now!
3. What Will I Do in the WAAC?
Any one of more than a hundred important jobs the men would have to do if you weren鈥檛 there. Maybe you鈥檒l play nursemaid to a jeep and keep it in shipshape running order. Maybe your weather observations will be the 鈥済o ahead鈥 for our bombers to take off. You may handle the coding of historic messages; drive Army officials on secret missions. Whatever you do, you鈥檒l know it鈥檚 vital to winning the war!
. . . .
8. What Is Basic Training?
Basic training is your introduction to Army life. It gets you in good physical shape. Teaches you the 鈥淓mily Post鈥1 of the Army. How to salute, and when. Military courtesy and Army customs. You鈥檒l have interesting study courses 鈥 about military operations and world events, about map reading, and safeguarding military information. You鈥檒l learn to talk a soldier鈥檚 language on a lot of subjects 鈥 company administration, property responsibility, mess management, and many more. You鈥檒l learn about 鈥渃lose order drill鈥 and special ceremonies. You鈥檒l work hard 鈥 plenty hard. And you鈥檒l love every minute of it! Every day, every hour you鈥檒l be learning something new.
9. Isn’t Drilling Tough?
Your feet may protest a little, just for the first few days. But you won鈥檛. You’ll love it. Every Waac does! You’ll be amazed at how soon you learn to execute the orders . . . even though you never knew which foot was your left one before! And what a thrill you鈥檒l get when your company shows up best in Inspection Day parade!
. . . .
11. What Are the Specialist Schools?
At these schools you get more training to prepare you for one of the 142 specialist jobs that Waacs are doing. Perhaps you鈥檒l be sent to:
Administrative Specialist School. There you鈥檒l learn all the fascinating details of military procedure. How to handle secret information. How to keep important Army records. The Army way of taking letters.
Radio School is where you鈥檒l learn the intricacies of radio operation, code, and radio repairing. With training like this you鈥檒l be invaluable to the Army Air Forces or Signal Corps. And think what exciting careers there鈥檒l be in commercial radio when the war is over!
Bakers and Cooks School might make best use of your talents. There you learn to prepare quantity and quality meals. 鈥淛ust like Mother used to make鈥 鈥 only much more of it. You鈥檒l get a real Army diploma when you finish the course. And if you want a job after the war, you鈥檒l have swell training for restaurant management, or for opening that tea room you鈥檝e always dreamed of.
Motor Transport School might be for you. There鈥檒l be no mysteries left in an automobile by the time you鈥檙e finished. You鈥檒l know all the inside workings of carburetors and transmissions. You鈥檒l learn all about driving, repairing and maintaining everything from a jeep to a 1陆 ton truck. And when you get through, let any man dare to say, 鈥淗umph, a woman driver!鈥 You鈥檒l match the best driver alive!
Army Music School is where WAAC band members (if they pass certain Army examinations) are trained to become WAAC band leaders. And how those girls can make 鈥淭he Stars and Stripes Forever鈥 boom!
Photo Lab Technicians School teaches you a variety of photographic skills 鈥 how to develop and print pictures, the techniques of making enlargements. After this course the Signal Corps will find you a mighty useful person. And you鈥檒l have training that ought to give you a fascinating career when the war is won.
12. Can I Become an Officer?
You bet you can, if you have the stuff. Officers are badly needed. Every girl who joins the WAAC has an equal chance to become one. You don鈥檛 need a college degree. You don鈥檛 even need a high school diploma 鈥 just the two years of high school or business school required for all members of the WAAC. At the end of your basic training, you can apply for Officer Candidate School if you鈥檝e done well in basic training, and have been recommended by your Commanding Officer. Officers鈥 training lasts six weeks.
. . . .
14. What Happens When I Go on Active Duty?
You may be assigned to an Army post, a famous airfield, an important Army headquarters office. You may serve in the United States or abroad.
You get a chance to say where you鈥檇 like to be stationed 鈥 overseas, within 300 miles of your home town, or anywhere in the United States. The WAAC will try to send you where you want to go, but the needs of the Service must naturally come first!
. . . .
22. Why Is WAAC Pay Better Than Average Civilian Pay?
Figure it out for yourself! Even as a WAAC auxiliary you get $50 a month 鈥 all clear! (And how often does a girl in civilian life have $50 left after the bills are paid?) Actually, that $50 is equal to about $35 a week in civilian life 鈥 since Waacs don’t have to pay a penny for food, rent, or clothing.
As a Waac you never owe a bill to your dentist or your doctor. All medical services are free. If you need medicines or hospital care, Uncle Sam foots the bill!
23. What Extra Benefits Do I Get as a WAAC?
You鈥檙e entitled to government prices at the post exchange (that鈥檚 the post department store). You get special rates at movies and theaters. 鈥淔urlough rates鈥 on round trip railroad tickets 鈥 same as the Army. And from coast to coast you鈥檒l find hospitality waiting at the USO, Red Cross, and Service Clubs.
. . . .
31. May I Ever Wear Civilian Clothes?
Yes. In most places where Waacs are stationed, they鈥檙e allowed to doff their uniforms when they鈥檙e off duty and off the Post. But you鈥檇 be surprised how few of them want to! Once you see yourself in a WAAC uniform, you鈥檒l probably want to keep it on. Most Waacs are just plain proud of their uniforms . . . and they get a real kick out of wearing them. Here鈥檚 how one girl put it 鈥 鈥淎s a Waac, I feel like somebody.鈥
. . . .
33. What Arrangements Are There for Going to Church?
At every WAAC Training Center and every Army post there are regular church services 鈥 Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish. You鈥檒l count your chaplain among your most valued friends.
34. With Whom May I Discuss Any Personal Problems?
Feel free to talk with your chaplain at any time. At WAAC Training Centers you can always go to see one of the Civilian Counselors who鈥檒l lend a motherly listening ear to any problem you want to talk over. All services of the American Red Cross are available to the WAAC 鈥 as to the Army.
35. May I Have Visitors?
Indeed you may 鈥 whenever you鈥檙e off duty.
36. Are WAAC Regulations Stiff?
No, let鈥檚 say they鈥檙e sensible. You鈥檒l find most WAAC regulations are like Army Regulations 鈥 there鈥檚 a common sense reason for every one of them. They鈥檙e not just to cramp your style! And you鈥檒l probably discover there鈥檚 a lot more freedom than you ever dreamed there would be! As a Waac, you鈥檙e expected to be a responsible person 鈥 and you鈥檒l just naturally go out of your way to show people, 鈥淭he Waacs are wonderful!鈥
37. May I Wear Jewelry?
Wedding ring, engagement ring or signet ring 鈥 yes! You may also wear a wrist watch, and an identification bracelet. No other jewelry, though. You wouldn鈥檛 want any brighter glitter with your shining WAAC insignia.
38. Must My Hair Be Worn a Special Way?
Wear it any way that鈥檚 natural and becoming. That鈥檚 up to you. Just be sure it鈥檚 neat and above your collar.
39. When Do I Wear My Hat?
Outdoors you wear your hat. Indoors you do as you鈥檇 do wearing civilian clothes 鈥 hat or no hat, either way.
40. May I Use Cosmetics?
Why not? The Army wants you to be attractive and feminine 鈥 not a dull, 鈥渨ashed-out Winnie.鈥 So go right ahead. Use your lipstick, your powder and rouge. Just use good taste and keep it inconspicuous. (Even in civilian life, you don鈥檛 want to look like a painted doll.) Nail polish isn鈥檛 frowned on either, as long as it鈥檚 a lightish shade.
41. Is There Social Life in the WAAC? Will I Have Fun?
Bushels of it! The only trouble with a Waac鈥檚 off-duty time, is that she usually has so many swell things to do, she can鈥檛 tell which to choose. On an Army post, for instance, you鈥檒l go to Army dances, and probably get the rush of your life! You鈥檒l be invited to men鈥檚 Service Club parties. You may be asked to visit Army classes, and share extra courses in such interesting things as radio code and camouflage. You鈥檒l get in on special entertainments staged by visiting movie and radio stars. You鈥檒l see the best movies 鈥 usually before they hit the big towns!
42. What About Extra Activities 鈥 Like Dramatics, Art and Music?
You鈥檒l find yourself with dozens of extra activities and hobby classes to choose from, if you want them. Glee Clubs. Classes in art, photography, languages, and leathercraft. And wait till you see the grand dramatic shows the Waacs take part in!
43. Are Dates With Army Men Allowed?
Of course. You鈥檒l have plenty! And with Navy men, Marines, and civilians, too! In Army camps, military custom prevails. WAAC auxiliaries and noncommissioned officers date enlisted men and noncoms. WAAC officers date Army officers.
44. What About Friends Who Are Officers?
If you鈥檙e an auxiliary and have friends who are officers (either men or women) you can still be friends off duty. On duty, they鈥檙e your superior officers, and you鈥檒l want to remember your 鈥渕ilitary manners,鈥 and act accordingly.
45. What Kind of Girls Will I Meet in the WAAC?
You鈥檒l meet all kinds of girls from all parts of the country. Girls who鈥檝e traveled all over the world. Girls who鈥檝e never been away from home before. You鈥檒l meet opera singers and secretaries. Milliners and movie actresses. Writers, teachers, artists, statisticians. The pick of America鈥檚 girls are in the WAAC 鈥 you鈥檙e bound to make friendships you鈥檒l value all your life.
46. Can a Married Woman Join the WAAC?
Indeed, yes 鈥 provided you have no dependents, no children under fourteen.
47. Can a Serviceman鈥檚 Wife Join?
Of course! And she鈥檒l get a special thrill out of being in the WAAC 鈥 sharing her husband鈥檚 experiences, and helping to get him home sooner! (And you can鈥檛 blame her husband for being pretty proud of her!) Don鈥檛 forget 鈥 servicemen鈥檚 wives keep right on getting their monthly allotments while they鈥檙e in the WAAC.
48. Can I Get Married While I鈥檓 in Service?
Of course you can. You can say 鈥淚 do鈥 at any time while you鈥檙e in service. And the WAAC places no restrictions on whom you marry, either 鈥 Army man, Navy man, Marine, or civilian. That鈥檚 your choice . . . .
. . . .
52. How Long Do I Serve?
The same as Army men. The WAAC term of service is for the duration of the war, plus six months afterwards.
. . . .
56. What Are the Requirements for Joining the WAAC?
Age: 21 to 44 years, inclusive.
Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States.
Marriage: You may be single or married.
Dependents: You must be without dependents; without children under 14.
Character: Must be excellent, of course.
Education: Two years of high school, business school, or similarly accredited school is required. (No high school or college diploma necessary.)
Health: Your health has to be good. You鈥檒l be given a physical examination at the Recruiting Center. Your height and weight should be average.
57. Why Should I Join the WAAC Right Away?
An imperative call has gone out from our Army. More Waacs are needed urgently 鈥 now! But there aren鈥檛 enough to fill the demand. The faster you get in the WAAC, the more you can help to get the war won quickly and bring our soldiers home again. Looking at it selfishly 鈥 the faster you get in the WAAC the better your chances for quick promotion. (It鈥檚 really an extra-special thrill to pin on those nice, shiny lieutenant鈥檚 bars!)
58. Why Is the WAAC More Important Than Other War Work?
There are many jobs at home to be done in this war. Important jobs. Useful jobs. But there are many people who can do them. Older women, teen-age girls, women ineligible for the WAAC.
Only a special group of women can serve in the WAAC. Only women without dependents 鈥 of a certain age and physical condition. If you fit the requirements, then joining the WAAC is the most important job you can do in this war. You, and only you, can help our soldiers where they need you most!
Footnotes
- 1. Emily Post (1872鈥1960) was a well-known etiquette expert.
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