Advanced Service Rating Score

A soldier's 1944-45 Welcome Home Guide to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia.

The Advanced Service Rating Score was the system that the US Army used at the end of World War II in Europe to determine which soldiers were eligible to be repatriated to the United States for discharge from military service as part of Operation Magic Carpet.

History

As the end of the war in Europe became a reality, the US War Department began planning for the "redeployment of Army Personnel" following the end of hostilities. The Readjustment Regulations were first introduced on September 15, 1944 and revised February 15, 1945 and again on March 5, 1945.

The rules were simple in general principle: "those who had fought longest and hardest should be returned home for discharge first." The US Army divided units of the European Theater of Operations into four categories:

  1. Troops already designated as Occupation Forces (such as the Third and Seventh Army)
  2. Troops that had been overseas for less than one year, or those: a) to be redeployed directly to the Pacific; b) to be redeployed to the Pacific by way of the United States; c) to be redeployed to the US to be placed in strategic reserve.
  3. Troops or units to be organized (or re-organized) in the European Theater for roles as either Occupation Forces or as troops being redeployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations.
  4. Troops with long overseas service that were to remain in Europe only while needed, and then to be returned to the US for inactivation.

New replacement troops would replace the "veterans" returning home.

Initial criteria

An enlisted man needed a score of 85pts to be considered for the demobilization. The scores were determined as follows for each:[1]

  1. Month in service = 1 pt
  2. Month in service overseas = 1 pt
  3. Combat award (including medal and battle stars) = 5 pts
  4. Dependent child under 18 = 12 pts

Time of service was calculated from September 16, 1940. [2] The four criteria were the only ones from which points were calculated. No points were issued for age, marriage or dependents over the age of 18. Battles and awards were also only accepted from a predetermined list.[1]

Classes

Liberty ships that would be used by the U.S. War Shipping Administration to transfer men and equipment from Europe to the Far East in May 1945.

Different scores were set for troops in the US Army, US Army Air Forces, Women’s Army Corps and holders of the Medal of Honor.

Officers

Before the surrender of Japan, officers who may have to serve again in combat were assessed not only on their ASR score but also on their efficiency and military specialities. However most high-scoring officers could have expected an early discharge after VE Day. The qualifying score was revised down to 80 Points after VJ Day. In the coming months it would be lowered again.[2]

Medical personnel

Scores varied before the end of May 1945 by varied department in the Medical Corps.

The discharge program continued until the end July 1945 until the demand to ship personnel and equipment to the Pacific became so great that Medical units were prevented from shipping back to the United States for inactivation. However all transfers to the Pacific were abruptly halted with announcement of the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945.[3]

Enlisted troops

Enlisted servicemen and women had to get 85pts. Those who qualified were processed at 22 Reception Centers throughout Allied-occupied Europe.[2]

Post-war changes

By September 1945, the War Department redesignated all units in Europe as either Occupation Forces (personnel with either the lowest scores or who were volunteers), Redeployment Forces (those with the highest score being sent back to the United States) or Liquidation Forces (troops with middle scores of 60-79 points) who were required to close down former front line facilities such as munition dumps or field hospitals.

Nevertheless, the ASR began to create problems for the US Army in post-war Germany as high-scoring personnel plus the attrition caused by sickness, compassionate leave and accidents meant continual loss of many experienced officers and NCOs.

By December 1, 1945, a new policy was started, which was based on a combination of ASR score and length of service. The points required were as follows:

All enlisted fathers with three or more children (under 18 years) were immediately eligible for discharge irrespective of their time in military service.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Explanation of the ASR Points System from Stars and Stripes". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  2. 1 2 3 "Points System". MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  3. ↑ "The Medical Administrative Corps". US Army Medical Department. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
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