Drake, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Drake diary:

4001 Colfax Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

W.A.A.C.

Tuesday, March 16, 1943

Second day as a WAAC- it has often been said that anyone in the army doesn't have to think for himself. how true. Just follow orders like a bunch of sheep- and if you don't, you will be made to feel sheepish.

Left Mpls. March 15 at about 12:01- on "the Rocket." Ann Nelson- a neighbor whom I just had met- went down to the station as well as Mother, Dad, and Brother [?]. Before we got on train, stopped at Red Cross Canteen for coffee and minced ham sandwiches.

Had a rather uneventful trip on the train- met a bunch of the kids. It was foggy all the way down- and when and when we got ready to alight, it poured and was quite windy. A bunch of us were lucky- for while waiting for the truck to pick us and the baggage- or should I say and pick all the baggage up- we went to the USO and got a cup of coffee. We were taken to the camp by truck- driven by women. What a ride.

First we went and got cards with [?] and bed number. I got in a slight mess because I answered for Drake in group 11 and later it proved there was another Drake- who was in group 11 and I should be in 12. All was straightened out.

To the mess hall late- then to our bunk. All of were worn out- and hit the hay early. New recruit kept coming in most of the night.

Up at day break- 15 minutes to dress- what a mad house. To mess hall. Then back and learn how to make a bed. My job was bunk- that was for sure- pretty bad.

Then marching. Our leader turned left when ordered right- and vise versa. All afternoon measured up for clothes- which we received the P.M. (Tuesday March 16) What a lay out. Nice stuff.

This afternoon we took several tests. Also listened to lecture on shoes and feet. It will be a feat if we live through it.

The army does all the thinking for us. They even had a form letter written for us to send home. Convenient to say the least.

Of course, I am in the detail to take care of the latrines. Tomorrow no telling what our duties will be.

We wear cute little numbers- men's coats- definitely unfitted. My coat comes exactly to the ankle. I feel like walking around in a formal- when we go up stairs, I actually have to lift it so I don't fall all over myself. They are called EM's. (enlisted men's)

Spent most of the night filling out forms- some stiff we've filled out a dozen times before.

More when time permits.

Wed. No time to write.

Friday. Inspection this morning. All went well- in fact group 12, our group of 25 girls, was complimented on the looks of the day room- our special detail. Sergeant Stone told us, rather proudly I thought, that we had been complimented. Perhaps [?] would be in a good spirit and tell of the army schedule. Up at 6:15 (light on) fall out (in front of barracks) at 6:35. mess (all on the march) and back to barracks. Then usually drill and lecture the rest of the day. Light out at 9:30- and then can retire to day room or latrine until bed check at 10:45.

Everything is hurry-hurry-hurry. Group 11 got KP today. We're crossing our fingers- hoping we don't get it tonight.

Most of the people around here are from California- or other are from the sunny South. I don't know where these Californians get their accent- but they even have one- or maybe it's us Minnesotans who have the accent.