"CONFIDENTIAL"

            c.  Kit Carson Scout Program: Scouts were assigned to each tactical unit in the Battalion; however, owing to the lack of trained scouts, casualties, AWOL’s and dismissal for offenses, only 16 out of an authorized 34 were employed.

             It is the personal opinion of this reporting officer that the scout program was not very well carried out. Due to the scouts incessant search for money, they often brought more harm than good. That is, they were often a source for drugs, prostitutes, and “fence” for blackmarket items, such as cigarettes, radios, boots, etc., several scouts were dismissed for this reason. It was not uncommon for a scout after three to six months after being employed not to have a new Honda, radio, watch and more money than earned. I feel the entire program should be re-evaluated, there were some outstanding scouts, but that was the exception rather than the rule, most were lazy, constantly going AWOL, or sick. Thus greatly decreasing their effectiveness and their overall usefulness to the war effort.

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