John F. Zeller Papers
I bet you thought I'd never write. I can just see Dad racing to the post office after every train. Anyway, I've been very busy and tonight is actually the 1st chance I've had to sit down + write.
The trip out was fine. The train left Harrisburg on time and arrived in St. Louis just in time for me to catch the next train out. I met my Lebanon friends in Hbg. -- and we had a fine trip out. One of them who is now a gunnery instuctor has a room adjoining mine here in the barracks.
When we arrived here we had quite a time getting settled. There are so many things you have to do on your own when you are an officer. Things aren't planned for you; you have to arrange them yourself.
Monday morning we tore over to the old post, + fixed up the rest of our papers, had our pictures + finger prints taken for th MP's and then went along to see the Colonel who is head of the dept. All of the officers seem very nice and I'm sure I shall like it.
The Colonel told us we would in all probability be here for a year. And then he put us right to work learning, assembling, & disassembling small arms. Monday evening I had to get my things out of storage + put my room in order. It was quite a job. Tuesday, Wednesday, today, + tomorrow, we have been in session in a course in TOI-Technologies of Instruction. I've had to plan a lesson each night and present it in class the next day. They want to make sure we know how to teach. I guess I'll make out all right for there weren't any criticisms.
Next week I have to take another course in Material as a refresher and the following week I'll be assigned to some branch in the department + begin to teach. I thought I would be teaching Officer Canidate Material classes -- but now I'm not so sure. They have a 2 month course for Battery mechanics, a New Division Officers. Course. An Officer's Advanced course, and a Battery Executives course -- also a course in Anti-aircraft firing -- all in addition to Offices Canidate Material course. And I may be assigned to any one of these.
I'm hoping I get the OCS course -- for it will be easier for me -- require less background and it is much neareer to the barracks I'm now in in the O.C. area. If I get any of the other courses I shall have to move over on the main post somewhere. Just now all of my work is over there + commuting is difficult.
My room is very nice -- unfinshed, plain woodwork of course -- but a few pictures, etc. will fix it up. The latrine is in the same building, which is a big advantage over the hut. I have a fine big closet -- so you won't need to send the trunk.
I have to furnish my own sheets + pillow cases. I've discovered that life as an officer is just one new way to spend money after another. I bought 4 sheets & two pillowcases. in town. Now I shall have to worry with them in the laundry each week.
I would like you to send my radio. If I'm going to be here a year I might as well have it -- and I can't buy one here at all. I suggest you pack it well -- open up the back + the top + stuff it with paper + send it by Express.
My correct address is Staff + Faculty Field Outillery School -- Dept. of Material -- Ft. Sill Okla. Tell, Mr. Stein, Alice, etc.
It's nice having my bed made each morning and my shoes shined -- but confidentially the orderly doesn't do a very good job of it. If you have a pair of curtains for a window about 5 1/2 ft. long -- something manish -- no lace -- please send them with the radio. They don't need to be particularly good. Something of heavy cloth + colored will be perfect.