Link Between Soldier And Scientist

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 17, 8 November 1950, Page 2

Link Between Soldier And Scientist

A closer link between the scientist and the soldier in modern warfare led to the formation in 1948 of the Defence Scientific Corps of the New Zealand Armed Forces, and opportunities were offered to qualified men for the continuance of their scientific training and experience under good conditions. The selection committee of the Defence Scientific Corps this year require men trained in the sciences of applied mathematics, chemical engineering, electronics, marine biology, meteorology, physical oceanography, physiology, psychology, soil mechanics and textile technology. Applicants must be of graduate status, and preferably with research experience.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on November 15 and applicants may be required in Wellington for interview during the week commencing December 4, 1950. Successful applicants will be granted commissions, with rank according to qualifications, in one of the three Services and will receive similar pay and allowances of officers of the Regular Forces. It was shown in the last war that scientific men engaged on defence work required a sound .knowledge of Service methods and. operational requirements. In the Corps an applicant will receive an initial training, not exceeding 12 months, in their particular Service, and in some instances applicants who select the Air Force may be given an opportunity to learn to fly, and Navy officers will spend a period at sea. After this initial training officers of the Corps will be given scientific training either in New Zealand or overseas for at least two years and then for the balance of their minimum engagement of five years they will be attached to a research institution in New Zealand or overseas for the purpose of undertaking research appropriate to their training on some specific defence science project of value to the Commonwealth. Except for those officers accepted for permanent employment within the Corps a minimum period of four years will then be served in the Reserve of Officers, but this will not restrict these officers in taking up other employment anywhere in the Commonwealth. All of the officers appointed in 1948 are at present carrying' out studies and/or research overseas. The Corps offers excellent opportunities for increasing experience and knowledge to the young scientists at the same time allows them to make a valuable contribution to defence research in the Commonwealth in the event of a National emergency.

Application forms and further information may be obtained from Principal Secretary, Defence Science Secretariat, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 18, Government Buildings, Wellington.