The Recruit

Make Him Welcome

ONE of the most distressing of human emotions is the feeling of isolation that takes hold of a young man when he joins a new organization, whether it be a school, a business establishment, or a military unit.

There may be a few hardy souls who are never troubled with this natural shyness. However, nearly all of us can recall the feeling of loneliness, evert wretchedness, that troubled us during our first days at a new school. Everyone else knew each other, the masters, and the routine. To us everything was strange and rather frightening. Maybe the modern schoolmaster, with his improved knowledge of psychology, takes more trouble to put the newcomer at his ease from the moment of his arrival.

As we grow older this feeling of loneliness becomes less acute, but few men lose it entirely. Consequently an organization which goes to the trouble of eliminating its cause usually earns the affection and loyalty of newcomers to its ranks.

I can still recall my rather mixed feelings when, after an eight days’ gruelling rail journey through India, my train approached Sialkut in the Punjab, where I was to be attached to a unit of the British Army. Being under the impression that alt Englishmen were more than a little reserved I was wondering how I, a perfect stranger, was going to get on. Imagine the lift to my morale when I was met at the station by a bunch of very cheery individuals who gave me a sincere and comradely welcome. The way in which I was made to feel at home in the unit carried me over that first awkward hurdle, and helped to ensure that I enjoyed every minute of my stay in India.

I did not forget that experience and, during my service as a Militia adjutant, I did my best to ensure that all who joined the unit with which I was associated were made welcome from the beginning.

It is so easy to look upon a recruit as just another soldier, and to forget all about his personal feelings. Yet it is well worth while going to a little thought and trouble, if necessary a lot of thought and trouble, to assist the recruit through the first difficult stages.

Remember that the recruit is entering upon an experience entirely new to him. If he is allowed to feel alone, and perhaps a little foolish, in a cold, strange world he will react accordingly. He is apt to feel discouraged by the uncongenial atmosphere, and to regret that he ever thought of joining the Army.

If, on the other hand, the recruit is made to feel welcome and at ease it is more than likely that he will become an enthusiast at once. And every enthusiastic soldier is a magnet drawing other recruits to the unit.