ABSTRACT
Mental dullness was found to be a frequent cause of military delinquency, and particularly absenteeism; and the dullard often became a disciplinary problem in his unit through failure to understand the nature of regulations and the reason for them. Army psychiatrists became aware at an early date that there were certain cases of mental dullness in which there was some doubt as to the man's suitability for employment in the Pioneer Corps. In February, 1943, 19 volunteers for the infantry were recommended by various psychiatrists for transfer to the Pioneer Corps because of mental dullness, having been examined within a fortnight of entering the Army, as a result of selection tests. As a general rule, the illiterate soldier proved to be of very little use in a modern army, but his prospects of effective service depended on the extent to which the condition was caused by lack of educational opportunity, as opposed to mental dullness.
