March 10-18, 1943
March 10, 1943
Came out to Fort Des Moines this a.m. from Aunt Bess's in an army truck. Checked in & was assigned a bed - upper bunk & given a men's overcoat (army) & knitted cap to wear until uniforms are issued. Got here about in time for mess -first meal consisted of carrots & turnips together, macaroni and cheese, salad, chocolate pie and milk. An assembly in the afternoon & lecture by Commandant - -man: just that service's needs come first & personal needs secondary. Filled out forms late after evening meeting to hear military laws read.
March 11
Got up at 6:a.m. Made beds & dressed in half-hour. Our group cleaned day rooms - then breakfast. Took aptitude tests in a.m. In p.m. were issued clothes - slips, hose, shoes, robe, fatigue dresses, uniforms (to be altered). Did some drilling & went to lecture. Evening meeting. Lt. Pugh told of things we needed to know. Scrubbed for inspection tomorrow.
March 13
Moved to Drake U. for four weeks basic training. Feel quite lucky to come here as I think it's better than going down town to Hotel Savery or Boom Town at the Fort as some were sent. 'Tis quite pleasant here. Am in a squad room in a dormitory with about 50 other girls. This afternoon we had an assembly, then unpacked & had inspection. Got the rest of my uniform except for a few small things. Eunice, my bunk mate, & I went to Dog Town a little while & then came home to do odd jobs. Think?
March 14
Had a fine day - taking it easy. Went to church in a.m. - over to Martha's in afternoon. Had a good visit with her & Jack.
March 16
Classes started yesterday - History of Army, Military Courtesies, Articles of War & WAC Regulations & Current Hist. Wearing of uniform. All very interesting. Also drill & P.T. Pansy & I went down town last night. 'Twas very cold today & the Southern gals about froze.
March 17
Had the best dinner today - sort of barbecued beef & sauce, noodle soup, corn, lettuce salad, biscuits, lemon pie. In evening went out via truck to Fort to take Radio & Typing tests. Don't think I did so hot.
March 18
Classes - snowed most of the afternoon. Finally got my hair washed. Have had 15 letters & 2 cards in five days - since Sat.
March 19-28, 1943
Classes as usual. Took test in clerical work and believe I did less poorly perhaps than in some of the other classification tests I've taken. After evening mess we all scrubbed, straightened and worked for formal inspection tomorrow morning. Lee Guise and Margaret Seibert stopped to see me a while.
Mar. 20
Scurried around for formal inspection. Passed O.K. Took more (1) typhoid shot in p.m. Got quite sore but Jones & I took a walk which helped some. Guess I'll retire early. Have got 21 letters & 2 cards in the first week (i.e. a week ago Sat when I got first mail)
Sun. Mar. 21
Have been sick all day - fever, weak, aching, etc. from the typhoid shots yesterday. Villy mizzable.
Mon. Mar. 22
Felt O.K. today, thank goodness. Pansy & I went downtown in eve. Bought a purse & saw Dianna Durbin in "The Amazing Mrs. Holiday. Very good.
Tues.
Got 9 letters today.
Wed.
Busy day - drill in mud, etc. Everyone was all in, but I wasn't any tireder than I've been many a day after teaching. Had my interview tonight with Lt. Lamprecht - mostly to get an impression I think. She is swell. Got a nice box of cookies & candy from Millie.
Thurs.
Had double drill period - am getting a little better. Mail is still heavy.
Sun. Mar. 28
Mother came to Des Moines yesterday. I saw her last night at Aunt Bess's & again today. We were at Esther's this afternoon. Have felt pretty punk from typhoid shot yesterday.
April 1 - 28, 1943
Thurs. Apr. 1
Was on K.P. today. Plenty hard work but not too bad. Hardest job was pots & pans. In evening we had a company party & on the program I played a "tune on my snout" as Dad says.
Apr. 7
Tues. 13th
Mon. April 19
April 21
Tues. April 27
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