COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 24881, 22 October 1942, Page 4

COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY

Commanding Officer’s

Policy

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 21. It was his personal decision, though the practice was common throughout the British Empire, to limit the granting of first appointments to. commissioned rank to men under 30, said Lieuten-ant-General E. Puttick, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, in an interview. The rule was not, however, hard and fast. For instance, in the Officer Cadet Training Unit at present more than 30 per cent, of the personnel were over 30. All were selected under the present regulations, which gave senior commanders absolute discretion in the matter. It was not the best of conditions to find a subaltern of 35 under a company commander of 23. Such disparity could not be avoided in the ranks, but could to a large extent in the case of officers. There were distinct advantages in men under 30 as second-lieutenants. On active service they had an extremely hard part. At the end of the day, when the ranks were resting, the officer still had a lot to do. This called for special physique. An artificial bar had to be fixed, but these existed in all walks of life. Divisional and district commanders were empowered to send men over 30 for training as officers provided they had the same qualities of leadership, physique and strength of character as younger candidates. His aim was to get the best leaders, and no question of sentiment, economics or other considerations could be allowed to enter into it.