Starting Now (1951)

[Music] [Music] the great struggle of our times the struggle between freedom and tyranny between democracy and communism is a serious deadly struggle and you your life will be affected by it you know this you also also know that your part in that struggle will mean many kinds of service to the cause of freedom and you will consider that service a part of citizenship you know that you should include military service in your thinking in your life plans that you should plan for service and take steps toward getting ready for your service life but then it all seems so remote so distant from your life in school with your friends you may say why worry about all that now well then when should you begin thinking about service here are three fellows who are thinking about that question suppose you begin David well you said something about why worry now I'm worrying all right I graduate in June and then but everything changes so fast one week they tell you you can pick your service the next it's a different story I can't see any use in trying to plan anything until the last minute then your planning may be useful you know I have an idea there's lots of things you could be doing if you know what a what's the rush I don't know why you drag me into all this there's years to wait and if you're lucky why you get a soft job somewhere of course if you're not so lucky so long fella thanks for the encouragement Johnny now who has it said you have years to wait well the sophomores do and juniors that's what I thought last year the time sure goes fast all of a sudden you wake up with service staring you in the face Maybe well suppose we see what we can find out together Johnny what do you really know about life and service what what ises it like oh you get basic training you learn how to handle a gun then if you get the brakes while you get into some special training school learn a trade of course if you don't get the brakes well but that basic training is pretty sure isn't it what do you know about that Mike what about you well you get to wear a snapper uniform the girls go for that it's pretty nice pretty nice I think it's pretty rough you have to work hard and take orders well I know my dad's worried he thinks I'm not ready for well for life and service you know something I don't think we really know much of anything about life in the service let me try to help you a little think think of a Barracks a big plain wooden building which you share with lots of others think of your own bunk your own Corner that you must keep neat and orderly think of having no privacy no chance to be by yourself think of long days of hard physical effort think of going going going until your feet ache and your shoulders sag think of intense mental effort too think of studying hard and you have to make good think of learning all kinds of new skills and learning them fast think of being homesick terribly homesick and lonely think of acting under orders quickly obediently intelligently without questioning think of meeting new faces hundreds of them making new friends think of time on your own away from home with no one but yourself to guide your conduct whatever else it is life and service service is demanding it demands top physical condition it demands emotional balance and stability it Demands a well-developed set of moral standards well David those things hold true in every branch of service under all conditions Mike service isn't all a pleasant Lark there are many things to prepare for Johnny there are so many things to be done that you'd be wise to start immediately yes even though service seems years away I know one place to start that's finding out about service we sure don't know much can you get station near your home uh how do you get to be an officer when can you come home I leave what clothes should you take along to Camp is it true they really shoot at you in basic training well certain courses in high school help you who slow down fellas I won't answer all your questions but you can figure out where to get the answers I wonder if there are any books here that would help have to ask the librarian a recruiting office will give you lots of information only they might forget to tell you about the Less Pleasant side hey some of our teachers are veterans they could tell us a lot about the service if we ask them do you think we could visit a camp and really see what it's like would they let you in they might you could try finding out couldn't you but let's just say that you're right Mike one of your first steps is to get information especially information about the services then what's next maybe you should check up on yourself well I mean if you're going to have to study hard in the service think how good you are at studying now yes and then practice up and learn to do better what do you say Johnny though well what's the rush Johnny you have a lot to do you have such a big job ahead of you that it's time to begin now think Johnny what are the steps we've discussed find information about the services check yourself see how well you fit in develop yourself get ready to fit in better and I'd like to add one more start now because there's so much to be done for example you'll want to read and study quite a bit about service besides your other study IES you may want to replan some of your courses here in school you'll want to have a general physical exam and perhaps take steps to build up your physical condition that takes time you know you might check yourself emotionally how well do you get on with strangers how readily do you make new friends can you stand being away from home what can you do if you have problems s here well Johnny you can see that there's quite a bit to be done I see start now huh physical exam study about the services plan courses I wonder if I could talk to my counselor sometime today you know I'm going to be busy well Mike well I guess if a sophomore had a start now a junior sure should only well I don't have so much time I can't do all that maybe not but there are things you can do starting now you can build up physical endurance even if you're in good health now you can surely stand a regular program of exercise you can learn responsibility ever have a part-time job it might be a good idea for you you can establish better contact with your church the guidance and moral support you get there will be valuable to you later on yes Mike there are many things you Juniors can do starting now uh-huh there are things to do learn responsibility learn to work with people get a part-time job huh that sounds like a good idea doesn't it and I've got a lot of studying I want to do too I guess I'll be pretty busy well that puts me on the spot all right these guys are pretty lucky in a way they have some time time I don't have much time I'd really better get busy let's see find information check yourself develop yourself start now well there are a lot of things I want to know about service we all had questions let's work on finding the answers as to checking myself well I just had a physical exam but maybe I better have my teeth examined too and have them fixed up if they need it develop yourself get ready well fellas looks as if I better use what time I have it's a big job isn't it yes it's a big job fitting service into your life plans sophomore junior senior wherever you are in school now is the time to begin now is the time to begin oh