No. i.] PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINING IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. 63 



ends. It is hoped that the report may serve to increase rapidly and over a long period the value of psychological mili- 

 tary work and that it may stir every psychologist to more enthusiastic and determined effort to understand the problems 

 of human behavior which are presented by his camp and to do his utmost to assist in their solution. 



Service is the only excuse for the presence of professional psychologists in the Army. It is the only thing which 

 will keep them there and enable them to command the respect and admiration of the officers and enlisted men for 

 whom and with whom they work. 



To illustrate the materials of this monthly bulletin, that for August, 1918, is reproduced 

 below 



Office of the Surgeon General, 



Division of Psychology, 



August, 1918. 



Third monthly report, issued September 3, 1918. 



* * # 



I. Activities of the division of psychology . 



During the last few weeks the activities of the division have considerably increased in variety as well as in evident 

 value to the Army. The organization of development battalions has offered an important additional opportunity for 

 usefulness. The same is true of morale work. From many examining stations the division of psychology is receiving 

 reports which clearly indicate that various lines of psychological service are now organized effectively and are coming 

 to be appreciated in a lively manner by officers of the line as well as by many medical officers. In the majority of 

 examining stations the psychological staffs evidently appreciate the fact that practical service is the only justification 

 for the continuation of psychological examining or any other kind of psychological work in the Army. The chiefs 

 of the psychological service are coming to appreciate the fact that they must in every sense justify their work in the 

 eyes of the commanding general of the camp as well as in the judgment of the medical officers. Indeed, a most impor- 

 tant single word of advice from this office is: Demonstrate your usefulness to the officers of your camp and thus com- 

 mand their interest and cooperation. 



The division of psychology, for reasons which need not be explained to the professional psychologist, has had to 

 contend with many varied difficulties in the organization and administration of its work. Some of these difficulties 

 are obviously accidental and merely unfortunate. Others are due to weaknesses in our methods or in the ways in 

 which we have attempted to use our results. Recently the War Department approved general orders concerning 

 psychological work which definitely establish it and provide for its conduct in the Army. General Orders, No. 74 has 

 been forwarded in mimeographed form, pending publication by the War Department, to all psychological staffs. Two 

 copies were sent — one for the camp surgeon, to be submitted by him to the commanding officer of the camp, the other 

 for the chief psychological examiner. 



Additional copies of these orders can be sent, but unless they are especially requested no additional copies will 

 be sent until the printed form is available. 



Almost at the same time that the general orders were approved a request for additional personnel and grades was 

 disapproved. This disapproval was based upon unfortunate misapprehension and misunderstanding concerning 

 the existing needs for psychological service and the status of the personnel which is employed. Unfortunately a 

 letter stating that no additional personnel would be granted for psychological service was sent to each camp. This 

 letter was sent in ignorance of the fact that general orders concerning psychological work had been approved. It is 

 clearly contradictory of the general orders and will doubtless be ignored by camp authorities. It is only fair to the 

 service to state that the assistant chief of staff attempted to recall the letter before it was dispatched but was too late 

 to prevent distribution. 



The Division of Psychology has made a new request for additional appointments and ranks, based upon the require- 

 ments of the above orders and upon such needs as are evident and such special requests as are available. There is 

 every reason to believe that the staff will fairly and carefully consider tliis new request and it is believed by this division 

 that favorable action will be taken. 



The above statements are made to assure members of the psychological service, whether commissioned or enlisted, 

 that psychological work in a variety of forms is to be continued in the Army and in all probability extended; that 

 the opportunities for promotion according to merit are likely to be as good in this service as in any other; that every 

 thoroughly trained and otherwise competent psychologist is urgently needed and should by all means stick to the 

 sendee instead of requesting transfer. Patience is required, sacrifice also, but every man should remember that the 

 injustices which he is suffering are suffered by thousands of men who are equally competent and meritorious. 



The chief of the Division of Psychology believes that never in the history of the service have conditions been 

 so encouraging as at present. Although fully realizing the danger of prophecy, he feels impelled to say that there are 

 numerous indications that the tide has turned and that military opinion is rapidly becoming favorable to various lines 

 of psychological work. It is clearly our duty to work determinedly, and with constantly increasing appreciation 

 of military needs, for the improvement of military efficiency. 



