Advanced Service Rating Score
Encyclopedia
The Advanced Service Rating Score was the system that the US Army used at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 in Europe to determine which soldiers were eligible to be sent back to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 for discharge
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...

 from military service.

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
    United States Army Central
    United States Army Central is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and is also dual-hatted as the "United States Third Army". It is the Army Component of U.S...

     and Seventh Army
    United States Army Europe
    United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and the land component of United States European Command. It is the largest American formation in Europe.-Invasion of Sicily:...

    )
  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
    Pacific War
    The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...

     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 to score 85pts to be considered for the demobilisation. The scores were determined as follows for each :
  1. Month in service = 1 pt
  2. Month in service overseas = 1 pt
  3. Combat award (including medal and battle stars) = 5 pts
  4. Dependant child under 18 = 12 pts


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

Classes

Different scores were set for troops in the US Army, US Army Air Forces, Women’s Army Corps
Women's Army Corps
The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the US Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC in 1943...

 and holders of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

.

Officers

Before the surrender of Japan
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...

, 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.

Medical personnel

Scores varied before the end of May 1945 by varied department in the Medical Corps.
  • Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) = 88 pts
  • Medical Corp (MC) = 85 pts (plus specialty)
  • Nurses Corp = 71 pts
  • Physical Therapists = 65 pts
  • Hygienists and Dietitians = 62 Points

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.

Enlisted troops

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

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 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) that 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 that was based on a combination of ASR score and length of service. The points required were as follows:
  • Officers (excluding Medical Department) = 70 pts + 4 years of military service
  • Women's Army Corp Officers = 37 pts
  • Medical Officers = 55 pts
  • All enlisted men = 50 pts + 4 years of military service
  • All enlisted women = 32 pts


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

See also

  • End of World War II in Europe
    End of World War II in Europe
    The final battles of the European Theatre of World War II as well as the German surrender to the Western Allies and the Soviet Union took place in late April and early May 1945.-Timeline of surrenders and deaths:...

  • Allied-occupied Germany
  • Post–World War II demobilization strikes
  • Aftermath of World War II
    Aftermath of World War II
    After World War II a new era of tensions emerged based on opposing ideologies, mutual distrust between nations, and a nuclear arms race. This emerged into an environment dominated by a international balance of power that had changed significantly from the status quo before the war...

  • Demobilization of the British Armed Forces after World War II
    Demobilization of the British Armed Forces after World War II
    thumb|right|upright|A page from the official demobilization handbook, Release and Resettlement, which allowed British servicemen to calculate their 'release group number.'...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK