Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 11:03:04 -0400
Subject: QUERY: "For the Duration"
From: Julie Phillips
Does anyone know where the term `for the duration' originated when referring to World War II?
Thanks,
Julie Phillips
University of Dayton
I believe the expression came from the documents signed by each draftee and enlistee that specified the term of service would be from the date of enlistment and "... for the duration of the war." That was before my time, but I'm pretty sure that's the origin of the expression. Previous -- and subsequent -- enlistments were for fixed periods, typically two to four years.
Hans Halberstadt
"For the duration" meant an enlistment for the duration of the war. In fact, I believe soldiers enlisted "for the duration and six" meaning for the duration of the war plus six months.
John Biddle
We have an earlier reference from World War I: "For the duration plus six months." Unsure of its origin.
Jim Weiskopf
I believe it referred to the term of enlistment for American soldiers...
Phyllis Soybel Butler
UIC/Columbia College
I don't know who used the term first but I do know that since Nobody knew how long the war was going to last so people were signed on "for the duration (of the war) and six months." Military history is replete with stories of soldiers who just plain went home when their enlistment term was up, but in WWII the only way to do that was to go "over the hill." (AWOL) Hope this helps.
Josette Wingo
The term "for the duration" was in use as early as the Civil War. It means, literally, that the soldier was enlisting for the length (duration) of the conflict, however long or short that might be.
DeAnne Blanton
National Archives & Records Administration
Per the query about "for the duration" and its "origins" during WWI....
That phrase "for the duration" was already used in the mid-nineteenth century per some material I have read associated with the European wars 1864-1871. The phrase was associated with general mobilization and indicated that recruits called up at that time (which may have included students and others who would otherwise be exempt from military service) were in a category separate from those who were recruited for the "regular" standing army. These "mobilized" troops would serve "for the duration" of the war or the period of the country's need and then would be mustered out so that the State could get them off the payroll as soon as possible.
In Austria, Regular troops had to serve up to eight years with or without a war although in some cases they would be furloughed without pay after about two years of training. These "furlough men" would be recalled "for the duration" in case of a war and then mustered out again when the war was over.
Often those who were serving "for the duration" were called up too late to be well trained before going to the front and they suffered dire consequences because of this. Even the "furlough men" - not well trained to start with - were apt to be out of shape and poor shots after several years of living as civilians.
Karen Hobbs
Since most of the responses had some trace of doubt (other than John Biddle's hi, John), yes, "for the duration" and more properly "for the duration plus six months", did (and does) refer to an enlistment for the entire war, plus up to six months after it was over. It does date back to at least the War Between the States, though it was not used by Federal forces until later in the war. The Confederate forces early on enlisted for the duration. Also, "AWOL" is not a term invented in World War II, either. Nor is "going over the hill" - which probably goes back to Roman times if not earlier.
Gene Moser
The term `for the duration' was also used in the UK in the sense that public areas were shut for the duration of the war. For example, seafront areas and piers on the south coast of England were shut because they were mined or fitted with burning oil sprays. Also, museums and art galleries were shut ' for the duration ' as the works were moved to safe storage. Also the male were all in the armed forces or working on other war work. Notice boards saying 'Closed for Duration' were thus very common in WW2 and I suspect WW1.
STEPHEN REDBURN
Tel : 0181 225 9180
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