Replacement Training Center, Camp Sibert

General Shekerjian, Commanding General, Replacement Training Center, Camp Sibert, Alabama. 

CWS to determine on this location for its new training center/ The Chief of Engineers was accordingly directed in May 1942 to construct the housing facilities for a 5,000-man replacement training center with completion date set for i December 1942/ The new reservation was designated Camp Sibert in honor of the first Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service/ Col. Thomas J. Johnston was made com-manding officer while... 

Weekly reports submitted by the replacement training centers advised TAG of enlisted men who would complete the training course one month later. For example, the report from Camp Sibert on 29 June 1943 advised that during the week of July 26-31 following, there would be available for shipment 401 graduates with qualifications as indicated ... 

The movement of replacement trainees from their original "tent city" camp into newly completed barracks, which began late in 1942, opened the way for the accommodation of imit training at Camp Sibert. Shortly this bivouac area, which had been developed by the Replacement Training Center, became available for the housing of units. But it could shelter no more than five thousand, and in immediate prospect was the unit training of a much larger body of troops. 

Reduction of capacity of the CWS RTC from 5,000 to 1,500 ASF trainees was announced in August 1943 in a blanket action which affected all ASF training centers. Within this limit, the monthly reception rate of the Camp Sibert center was established at 300 white and no Negro trainees. This figure was computed to provide replacements for estimated normal attrition and battle losses, without distinction between combat and service chemical units. It proved somewhat low in view of the increased requirements for replacements which developed in early 1944 as a result of the Italian campaign. In March 1944 the ASF raised the CWS RTC capacity to 2,750 trainees with a monthly input of 500. ... 

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