DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Mabel C. Williams, August-December, 1919 | 1919-08-20 Robert M. Browning to Dr. Mabel C. Williams Page 2

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Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Mabel C. Williams, August-December, 1919

1919-08-20 Robert M. Browning to Dr. Mabel C. Williams Page 2

plication and division. Had good luck in the firing for qualification, making the grade of Expert Machine Gunner with a point to spare.
The rest of our course, until September 30, will be spent in tactics. By that time I ought to know the elements of military science. It looks like that knowledge might be useful before long. Do you think so?
Next week I have to face the examining board to determine whether or not my provisional commission in the Army be made permanent. The most worrisome thing about this board is that our prominent member will be a surgeon, and I'm afraid my left eye isn't as reliable as it should be. If I have a good day for the physical exam the rest will be pickings.
What's all the news in Iowa City? I haven't heard anything about the place since I was there. I understand that Mary [Kulannhosli?] is going to England. Where are all my other friends?
I'm saving my shelsels nowadays with the idea of leaving the Army as soon as I have a little stake and the "rumors of wars" either become less plausible or are swallowed up by facts.
On my way back to Massachusetts I intend to stop off in Washington and make a personal application for transfer either to the Border or to the Orient. I'm having quite a time making up my mind. If there really is to be a house cleaning south of us it will be a regular job, but if there isn't I'd sure like to be in Siberia or in China. There's bound to be something doing in the Orient before a long time and I'd like to know something about the peoples over there. It would help me to decide on my profession. If I could see the big war coming before my retirement I believe I'd stay in the service. It's an all right life for a bachelor.
Sincerely yours
Bob

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plication and division. Had good luck in the firing for qualification, making the grade of Expert Machine Gunner with a point to spare. The rest of our course, until September 30, will be spent in tactics. By that time I ought to know the elements of military science. It looks like that knowledge might be useful before long. Do you think so? Next week I have to face the examining board to determine whether or not my provisional commission in the Army be made permanent. The most worrisome thing about this board is that our prominent member will be a surgeon, and I'm afraid my left eye isn't as reliable as it should be. If I have a good day for the physical exam the rest will be pickings. What's all the news in Iowa City? I haven't heard anything about the place since I was there. I understand that Mary [Kulannhosli?] is going to England. Where are all my other friends? I'm saving my shelsels nowadays with the idea of leaving the Army as soon as I have a little stake and the "rumors of wars" either become less plausible or are swallowed up by facts. On my way back to Massachusetts I intend to stop off in Washington and make a personal application for transfer either to the Border or to the Orient. I'm having quite a time making up my mind. If there really is to be a house cleaning south of us it will be a regular job, but if there isn't I'd sure like to be in Siberia or in China. There's bound to be something doing in the Orient before a long time and I'd like to know something about the peoples over there. It would help me to decide on my profession. If I could see the big war coming before my retirement I believe I'd stay in the service. It's an all right life for a bachelor. Sincerely yours Bob