Description 28 pages Camp Hood, one of the largest and newest military establishments in the United States was activated on September 18, 1942, as the Tank Destroyer Center. More recently it has become a training center for other branches of the service as well. Here now are the Infantry Replacement Training Center, Tank Destroyer Center, Tank Destroyer Replacement Training Center, Tank Destroyer School, Tank Destroyer Board, Field Artillery troops of the Fourth Army, and units of the Army Service Forces such as Ordnance, Signal Corps, Engineers, Quartermaster, Chemical Warfare, Medical Corps, Transportation and the Women’s Army Corps. Named for General John B. Hood, the “Fighting General of the South” in the War between the States, Camp Hood covers 160,000 acres-of rolling hills and verdant valleys in the heart of Central Texas. This Texas soil once echoed to the pounding of horses’ hoofs as Comanche and Kiowa Indians hit the warpath against early settlers. Old Fort Gates, built in 1849 to protect pioneers from the Indians, was on the site of what is now North Camp Hood. At Camp Hood, the Infantry Replacement Training Center was activated on March 10, 1944. The IRTC is billeted from 31st Street on the East to 72nd Street on the West and between Central Avenue on the North and Headquarters Avenue on the South. The IRTC provides basic military training for new men, gives them the background for service in the infantry. The basic training program covers many important subjects and qualifies men for assignment to an activated unit where they receive advanced training. Each man now starting his training should apply himself unstintingly to the lessons taught in basic training, purpose of which is to harden him physically that he may withstand the rigors of war, to teach him to use his weapons effectively that the enemy may feel the effects of his superiority, and to teach the principles of military discipline and courtesy. All of these factors are essential to success in modern warfare. Your officers and non-commissioned officers are highly qualified, having been especially selected because of long experience and proved capability as instructors. A great majority of them were once “basics” themselves, and they have a keen understanding of your problems and are ready to help you with your difficulties. Give them the fullest attention and cooperation during all phases of your training. Study your Soldier’s Handbook diligently. It will be of great value to you in every phase of your training. Your basic training necessarily will be rigorous, and at times some of the routine may seem unimportant to you. But remember that everything you do at Camp Hood has an important meaning. All the knowledge disseminated to you has been sifted from actual battle experience and presented to you so you will have the knowledge, confidence, and endurance to succeed against the enemy.
