is not always so. When a candidate for induction appears at his draft board for examination, he should honestly admit his homophile tendencies. Then when he has an interview with the psychiatrist, he can give his history in more detail. Usually, this is enough, but to be on the safe side, it is well for him to have a letter with him from a private psychiatrist. I have written many such letters in which I state that I have taken a careful history and have made an examination which verifies the fact that the person concerned has such homosexual tendencies that it renders him unsuitable under existing regulations for military service. In only one case did I have any difficulty. The candidate occupied such a prominent place in the community that I was extremely cautious in describing his condition and simply stated that he had such feminine components in his personality that I felt he was unsuited for military service. He was examined by an old Army doctor, a veteran of the Spanish American War who did not understand homosexuality, missed the meaning of my vague reference to "feminine components," said the tall, handsome draftee did not look like a homosexual and that he was a draft dodger who had had some quack doctor write the letter. I wrote a second letter stating my qualifications, more specifically giving the candidate's history with more details and stating emphatically that he had been a homosexual from his early teens. Furthermore, I suggested to the candidate that he transfer his draft registration from his home town to a more sophisticated metropolitan area near his present work. The transfer was made and despite the fact that the date for his induction had been set, it was postponed and when he reported to his new draft board the psychiatrist met him with my confidential letter in his hand. He apologized for the way the young man had

been treated and stated that he had seldom received a doctor's report so completely satisfying in giving an account of the situation. The candidate was placed in deferment status, much to his relief, and that of his partner.

Since you apparently enlisted in the Army and have some time to serve, you will have to serve out the period of your enlistment, using great discretion in the way you conduct yourself, avoiding compromising situations. around the base and in small towns. In this way, if you maintain your good conduct record, you will be entitled to a full, honorable discharge with all the rights and privileges entailed. Then too, if you simply cannot endure the present situation, you should seek guidance from the chaplain, or a trustworthy psychiatrist. Each branch of the Armed Services provides for a discharge for homosexuals and if the candidate has a good record and his case is skillfully handled, he may receive a satisfactory "General" discharge or even "Honorable." He has to be careful or he will receive a less. desirable discharge, usually "Undesirable." But if he gets into difficulties he may receive a "Bad Conduct" or even "Dishonorable," with great loss of privileges. I am happy to report one case in the Air Force who secured a satisfactory discharge with the help of a sympathetic psychiatrist. The young man had been a former patient of mine, so gave me permission to release information to the office of special investigation. I was interviewed by two officers from this office who were deeply interested in the problems of the homosexuals and their report cleared the way for his release from the Air Force so that he could return to highly satisfactory civilian employment. I sincerely hope that you will be guided to a satisfactory solution of your problem.

With all good wishes,

Dr. Blanche M. Baker

27