Student Scholarship

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

This study, authored by Estelle A. Swanson in 1952, examines the evolution of federal policy regarding recreational projects and programming for military personnel. The research traces the transition of responsibility from civilian-led initiatives during World War I to a centralized military command structure during World War II and the early Cold War era. The core thesis posits that while military leadership is essential for on-post morale, the most effective results stem from a coordinated "building process" involving both federal oversight and local community support.

Historically, the U.S. government justified its involvement in recreation through constitutional mandates to "promote the general welfare". The document details how World War I operations were characterized by a loose organization of private agencies like the YMCA and Red Cross, which led to duplication and confusion. By 1941, the War Department established the Morale Branch (later Special Services) to standardize in-camp recreation, research morale factors, and manage facilities such as post exchanges, motion picture services, and libraries.

The study emphasizes that morale is not merely the presence of facilities but is deeply influenced by the serviceman's sense of purpose and the quality of leadership. Swanson critiques the uneven distribution of facilities across bases and the frequent lack of trained supervisory personnel. A significant portion of the analysis is dedicated to the "President's Committee on Religion and Welfare in the Armed Forces," which categorized programs as indispensable (basic housing/PX), essential (service clubs/libraries), or desirable (varsity sports/golf courses) to guide funding and resource allocation. Ultimately, the study concludes that fostering a healthy social environment requires the civilian community to act as a "welding committee," bridging the gap between military life and the domestic home-town atmosphere to prevent character disintegration.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: Federal policy and organizational structures for military recreation faced significant challenges between 1917 and 1952, including a lack of centralized coordination, fluctuating civilian-military relationships, and the struggle to maintain service-member morale during periods of demobilization and reactivation. 

  • The Method: This 1952 study analyzes the evolution of federal recreational programming through a historical review of World War I and World War II operations, an evaluation of the President's Committee on Religion and Welfare in the Armed Forces, and interviews with Department of Defense officials and military personnel. 

  • Quantitative Finding: By 1918, civilian agencies provided over 6,000 recreation personnel in France; the 1941 Army saw two-thirds of soldiers with at least a high school education compared to one-fifth in 1918; in 1951, the Army Library Service operated 1,000 facilities with 75% in self-contained buildings; 80% of the 1949 defense force was under 25 years of age. 

  • Qualitative Finding: Key themes include the transition of recreational command from civilian agencies to the military; the critical role of "juke joints" and community hospitality in soldier morale; the classification of programs into "indispensable," "essential," and "desirable" categories; and the persistent need for qualified, professional leadership within the Special Services.

Publication Date

1-1952

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