Teen-Ager's Choice

ARMED FORCES .

In his press conference last week Commander in Chief Eisenhower took a 50-year look ahead at the defense picture. He saw the need for 1) increased continental defense, 2) continued ability to retaliate, 3) continued cooperation with our allies, 4) a greatly improved Reserve program with fewer men on active duty. Two days later, Assistant Defense Secretary for Manpower and Personnel Carter L. Burgess revealed a new draft and Reserve program to fit the lower military-force levels during the next four years.

If the program gets by Congress, 17-year-olds will have these choices:

P: Volunteer for a three-year hitch in the Army or Marines, or four years in the Air Force or Navy. Three-year men will have to serve an additional four years in the "Service Callable Reserve" (Pentagonese for an active Reserve, organized and ready for immediate mobilization) and one year in the "Selective Callable Reserve" (Pentagonese for an inactive Reserve force of trained men with a lower emergency priority than active reservists). Four-year enlistees get two years of Reserve duty in each category.

P: Wait to be drafted for the traditional two years, and then spend six years in the active Reserve.

P: Volunteer directly for the active Reserve and wait to be called for two years' regular duty within 24 months. After discharge, they will spend six years in the active Reserve.

P: Volunteer for six months' active duty and 9 1/2 years in the active Reserve, which might be cut two years by a good Reserve record. Limited to about 100,000 in the Army and Marines, these men will be paid only $30 a month during the six months' training, and will not be eligible for any veterans' benefits. If they do not regularly attend Reserve drills, they will be snapped up for 18 months' active duty.

All men in the Reserves and National Guard will have to attend regular Reserve drill, or be penalized. Penalties may include loss of veterans' benefits, ratings and pensions.

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