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National Service School for Women


jagjetta
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The National Service School was organized by the Women’s Naval Service in 1916 to train women for duties in time of war and national disasters. The Army, Navy and the Marine Corps cooperated to train thousands of women for national service. Women were taught food conservation, military calisthenics and drill, land telegraphy or telephone operating, how to manufacture surgical dressings and bandages, signal work and many other skills

 

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This photo for May 1916 shows Miss Elizabeth Elliott Poe, Commandant (left) and Miss Vella Poe Wilson, Adjutant, National Service School for Women near Chevy Chase, Washington, DC. From the caption on this photo, "The young ladies in camp will wear a regulation military uniform of khaki, skirt and jacket, and high boots, and soft style of hat of strict military type."

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Great pictures. Their collar insignia is interesting. Can you tell anything about the insignia?

 

....Kat

Hi Kat,

Sorry, I haven't been able to figure out much on the insignia of the National Service Schools. Jill Smith shows one uniform on page 391-392 of Vol 1, Dressed for Duty, but it doesn't really jive with what I see in the photos. Here is another image of "Commandant Poe" and members.

 

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Bronze "NSS" can be seen on one hat.

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Not sure if the armband is a solid color or displays something. Here is the armband severely "enhanced" via photoshop:

 

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