How were mariners recruited in WWII?
The pre-war merchant marine had about 55,000 active mariners. A big newspaper and radio campaign by the government brought out many who had left the sea, and attracted young recruits. Navy and Coast Guard recruiters sent thousands of young men to the 37 official U.S. Government Recruiting Offices of the U.S. Maritime Service, the training organization set up by the government. The U.S. Maritime Service trained about a quarter of million men. The USMS staff (ship’s company) and trainees were denied veteran status by the Secretary of the Air Force. [On the other hand, Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs) who never had any battle casualties or saw any action, their trainees who even flunked out were given veteran status.
The pre-war merchant marine had about 55,000 active mariners. A big newspaper and radio campaign by the government brought out many who had left the sea, and attracted young recruits. Navy and Coast Guard recruiters sent thousands of young men to the 37 official U.S. Government Recruiting Offices of the U.S. Maritime Service, the training organization set up by the government. The U.S. Maritime Service trained about a quarter of million men. The USMS staff (ship’s company) and trainees were denied veteran status by the Secretary of the Air Force.
