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The Infantry's "Problem of Quality": Classification and Assignment to MOS 745, Rifleman, 1942-1945.

  • Published In: Journal of Military History, 2024, v. 88, n. 1. P. 83 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Reed, John S. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the classification and assignment of U.S. Army inductees to military occupational specialty (MOS) 745, rifleman, between 1942 and 1945. Before fall 1944, "high-quality" inductees were primarily sent into the Army Service Forces or Army Air Forces, while "low-quality" men were channeled into the ground combat arms, in particular the infantry. This was a utilitarian error that led to poor combat performance in early deploying divisions and a social inequity that imposed a higher burden of lethal risk on less-privileged men. Only out of dire necessity, late in the war, did high-quality inductees become riflemen in significant numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Military History. 2024/01, Vol. 88, Issue 1, p83
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Military History and Science
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0899-3718
  • Accession Number:174291089
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Military History is the property of Society for Military History and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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