An Officer & A Gentleman

September, 1942

Dear girls,

Well, your son and brother is an officer now – meet Lieutenant Wood of the U. S. Marine Corps! Gosh it sounds good – and everything is wonderful so far. All the quarters and so forth, the food – everything more comfortable, roomier, and more luxurious. And you have no idea how much better it makes one feel, being treated like a gentleman instead of a dog – being served, saluted, and respected. The uniforms are swell looking and feel wonderful. And cost like Hell. Honestly folks, you never saw so many charges and supercharges, extra bits of equipment that you have to get, and aside from my one luxury of a Sam Browne belt, I’ve gotten the smallest amount. I don’t know yet, but I think I’m going to spend about 350 dollars before I’m through.

A few more words Tuesday A.M.

Last night – every night – we have a compulsory study hall. And now I’ll be able to get more letters off to you all. Last night a couple of the fellows – I mean Lieutenants – and myself went over to the senior officer’s club – we can go to that and to the bachelor’s officer’s club, and believe me, it is wonderful. The Union League Club has only a slight edge on it. Very comfortable, and the best Scotch and soda on the market for a quarter, Tom Collinses for 20 cents – walnut paneled reading rooms with easy chairs. I can see that many of my leisure hours, and there will be a few more of them now, will be spent in those delightful surroundings.

I went to Washington over the weekend, had a wonderful time – really cut loose for 24 hours – drank a lot, but not too much – spent more money than I should have, but that’s healthy once in a while, too. We tooted all over the town. Got in at five and slept till almost one. It felt really wonderful to relax. People in general weren’t very impressed with a second Lt. In the Marine Corps. They see plenty of them around here, but we had a good time anyway.

Wednesday

Things are crowded again – I knew that the comfort, ease, etc. couldn’t last more than a day or so. We are at these desks ten hours a day every day now, and after the building up period we’ve been having, you get awfully restless and pent up. But we are learning a Hell of a lot. Everything from Naval Law to map reading.

Love
Phil



At the barracks at Quantico. Phil Wood, unknown, and possibly Roy Wood (no relation, but a future A Company officer).