Marksmanship

A.S.T.P. stands for Army Specialized Training Program.  If chosen for the program, a soldier was sent to a college that offered the training.  A number of colleges throughout the country participated in the program.  A.S.T.P. was disbanded in early 1944 because soldiers were needed as replacements overseas.

Ben has been in the Army a little over one month.  He enjoys getting the Rochester Times-Union newspaper to keep up with the hometown news.  In his August 8th letter, he says, “ Keep sending the Times.  I like to read it when I get time.  The other Rochester boys get the Democrat & we swap.”    Even in Europe he asks about his Times-Union newspaper subscription.  

August 4, 1943
Camp Croft, S.C. 
Tuesday

Dear Folks,
Not much doing today except marksmanship & map reading.  Went over course we are to go over tomorrow nite.  No detail tonite because of A.S.T.P. interview.  But it wasn’t very important although a couple of kids got disqualified.  The Captain told me I had a pretty good chance.  But someone else told me they wanted mostly engineers -- Am I an engineer? 

Sunday we filled out a sheet & had a lecture on A.S.T.P.  Wasn’t very encouraging.  Gave you four choices - Engineers, Language, Medicine, & Dentistry.  Well, I hope things work out all rite in the end. I am & have been getting the Times.  Very enjoyable.

Love, 
Ben