Something for the Girls

All of the Armed Services used radio recruiting programs during and after the War. Although the programs would develop into a rather particular pattern, they were not only a very effective tool for increasing manpower for the service, they were usually high quality radio programing.

The programs were somewhat compact (usually 15 minutes) syndicated spots featuring some of the best talent in show business. The big names assured a rapt audience, the fact that the Services provided the shows for free to local stations meant that the message would be spread across the country. These combined to help bring ever more needed manpower into the service of the country.

Something For The Girls helped to solve the Navy's Manpower shortage by recruiting woman. In theory, every WAVE who took a shore billet freed a sailor who would then find himself "haze gray and underway".

The WAVES, "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service", was established in August 1942, two months after the WAACs, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp. Unlike the WAACs, who served with the Army, the WAVES served in the Navy, holding the same rank and ratings as their male counterparts, as well as receiving the same pay and were subject to military discipline.

WAVES were not allowed to serve on aircraft or combatant ships, although they did receive basic enlisted and officer training. Most WAVES served in clerical positions, although many also served in the aviation and supply corps.

Although they would not be fighting on the front lines, there was little doubt that service in the WAVES was something special. So it makes sense that all the stops were pulled out for the Something For The Girls recruiting program. Artists featured included Helen Hayes, Andre Kostelanetz, Celeste Holm, John Charles Thomas, Jim Ameche, Lily Pons, Jane Froman, Sammy Kaye, Nelson Eddy, Ronald Colman, Kate Smith and many others.