National Defense Training School

Among my parents’ papers that have survived the years is this simple letter from the National Defense Training School in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Although modest in appearance, the document provides a valuable glimpse into my father, Roger E. Watson, as a young man before military service and his marriage to my mother.

The letter certifies that my father completed 492 hours of drafting instruction at the National Defense Training School. According to his instructor, Edgar H. Berry, my father received training in lettering, projection, and the preparation of bills of material. These were essential skills for technical drafting in an era when every drawing was created by hand. The instructor also noted that Roger’s attendance record was “one of the best” and that his lettering was “exceptionally neat.” This praise speaks not only to his technical ability but also to his dedication and attention to detail.

The National Defense Training Program was established during a period when the United States was preparing for the possibility of involvement in the growing conflict overseas. World War II had already begun in Europe and communities across the country were developing training programs to equip young men and women with practical skills needed by industry and national defense. Drafting was among the most valuable of these skills, providing the technical foundation for manufacturing, engineering, construction and military production.  

For my father, this training was likely an investment in his future. The hundreds of hours he devoted to drafting demonstrates a seriousness of purpose and a willingness to work hard to improve himself.

In the age before computer aided design, every measurement, note and specification on a technical drawing was carefully lettered by hand. Clear, precise lettering was considered a mark of professionalism and craftsmanship. The instructor singled out my father’s quality and suggested that my father took pride in his work and performed at a level  that distinguished him from his peers.

This letter captures a moment in time in my father’s life. It shows him as a diligent young student in Martinsburg, building practical skills and earning the respect of his instructors.