The Navy Needs You in RADAR!
This brochure and letter was sent to an Alameda, California high school senior in 1944 or 1945, inviting him to experience “The war’s newest and most dramatic technical development” as a Radar Technician.
“No member of the United States Navy, or any other branch of the armed forces, takes greater pride in his job than the man in blue who wears the ‘RADIO TECHNICIAN’ insignia. And none can boast finerr training for an indispensable, vital job in civilian life when victory and peace are finally ours.”
Under the cut are more scans of the brochure and letter, plus a transcription of the letter too.
“This may be YOUR opportunity… an opportunity to serve both your country and yourself. At least, you owe it to yourself to investigate.”
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU — THE NAVY’S “RADIO TECHNICIAN PROGRAM”
- – - – - -No member of the United States Navy, or any other branch of the armed forces, takes greater pride in his job than the man in blue who wears the “RADIO TECHNICIAN” insignia. And none can boast finer training for an indispensable, vital job in civilian life when victory and peace are finally ours.
Radio Technicians have played a major part in the steadily progressing conquest of the foe in Europe; in the amazing, inspiring, relentlessly-moving push across the Pacific to the Philippines, and beyond. These men, the famed “R.T.’s” install, repair and maintain radio communication equipment, radio direction finders, submarine detection apparatus and other extraordinary devices. When the war is over, there promises to be an unprecedented demand for the “R.T.’s” in the field of television, and in other phases of the vast, newly-opening world of electronics. The “R.T.’s” will be right there—on the ground floor—of that world.
This may be YOUR opportunity… an opportunity to serve both your country and yourself. At least, you owe it to yourself to investigate.
If you have a sound knowledge of high school algebra, as well as an aptitude for scientific subjects, it is possible that you may qualify for assignment to the Navy’s RADIO TECHNICIAN SCHOOL, Leading to rapid advancement in the Navy. If you have completed at least 1 year of high school algebra, you should take the Navy’s “EDDY” TEST.
The “EDDY” Test consists of problems of basic mathematics, fundamental electricity, elementary physics, practical shopwork, and simple radio. Particular stress is placed upon mathematics. Many of the radio and electricity questions therein may be answered simply by thinking them out, and do not require any previous experience along these lines for solution. It is preferable to make an intelligent guess rather than leave a question blank.
If you are successful in passing the “EDDY” Test, you will automatically receive the rating of Seaman, First Class, and first be sent to a Naval Training Station for indoctrination, and them to a Pre-Radio School where you will study mathematics, fundamental electricity and shopwork for one month. From there, you would proceed to a Primary School to study mathematics, electricity, radio, the slide rule, and shop practice for a period of 3 months.
Upon successful completion of the primary course, the student will be promoted to the rating of RADIO TECHNICIAN, THIRD CLASS, and transferred to a Secondary School for 5 months of advanced training in radio and electronics. At this school the student will study radio and submarine sound equipment, in addition to various other devices.
Upon graduation from Secondary School, the student will be promoted to RADIO TECHNICIAN, SECOND CLASS (Second Class Petty Officer), and then be transferred to active duty afloat or ashore. The average man who completes this specialized training course in a period of 10 months is able to qualify as a Radio Technician, First Class, shortly after he graduates from the Secondary School.
The need for Radio Technicians is great! The Navy Radio Technician School at Chicago has undergone considerable expansion, and is now in a position to train a large number of these men. If you think you might qualify, put your knowledge and experience to work now, and go to your nearest Navy Recruiting Station and take the “EDDY” Test. This should be done without delay.
The “EDDY” Test may be taken by any Navy Applicant (except Aliens) between the ages of 17 and 50 1/2. Applicants 17 years of age and between 38 and 50 1/2, may make application directly through their nearest Navy Recruiting Station. Men in the draft age (18 to 37, inclusive) may make application at the time they are inducted into the Navy. The “EDDY” Test may be taken only once — (NO REPEATS).
Upon release from the Navy after the war, the Radio Technician will find countless opportunities open to him. He will already have a thorough ground-work in the ultra high-frequency electronics that will still be unknown to most commercial engineers. The Radio Technician will be qualified, as previously indicated, to hold many key positions in such fields as television, industrial electronics, broadcast radio, aircraft radio and many other scientific occupations.
Many applicants can take the “EDDY” Test without any special preparation. However inasmuch as the “EDDY” Test may be given to an applicant only once, the importance of additional study on elementary mathematics (algebra), physics, (general science), shop practice, electricity and radio before an attempt is made to take the test cannot be over-emphasized.
Whenever additional study is considered mecessary, the following reading is suggested:
“Wartime Refresher in Fundamental Mathematics,” published by Prentice-Hall
Any high school physics or “Invitation to Experiment” by Ira Freeman. (Important parts to study — Theory of Heat, Light, Sound and Magnetism.)
“Radio Material Guide” by Olmstead and Tuttle, or “Elements of Radio” by Marcus and Horton.
Should these books be unavailable, any recognized works of a similar nature and any sound book on mechanical practice may be studied to advantage.
If you are interested in learning more about Radar Technicians in WWII, check out the book Solving The Naval Radar Crisis: The Eddy Test – Admission to the Most Unusual Training Program of World War II.
This is a very thorough and interest overview of the Radio Technician (RT) training program provided by the U.S. Navy durimg WWII. I went through the program and then taught in the Secondary School. For anyone who is interested, I published a book on the program: Solving the Naval Radar Crisis, Trafford Publishing, 2007 (available from distributors worldwide). I would welcome e-mail from persons who are interested in this program. Raymond C. Watson, Jr.; RCW-Assoc@comcast.net; 256-651-1834. — 85 and still working a 60-hour week.
This was one of my greatest experiences. In “boot” camp in 1943 in Idaho, my GCT test launched me on a “ride” I’d never forget: from the Naval Armory in Chicago for a month, to the U of Houston for
3 months, and Treasure Island, San Francisco for six months I learned more than in any time since, in areas not welcomed at the time. The South Pacific Cruise Ship (U.S.S. LST 581) was home until
early 1946, when I was discharged in Minneapolis, MN. It was exciting and noisy sometimes, but the best part of my education, which has since, been almost exciting, but my A.S., B.A., B.S., D.D.S.
and M.P.H. diplomas since would not have been possible without them. One of my sons went Navy in 1977, and after his GCT, was offered either Electonic or Atomic Service School, but thought a six year hitch was too long. I don’t think he’ll ever stop regretting it, and neither will I. To me, the then
Cmdr. Eddy was a genius and a real role model in spite of his severe auditory loss.
Richard, thanks for the comment and I’m glad that you had such a good experience. I’m glad that I could help trigger some positive memories for you.