Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Reception Centers

Reception Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. Reception Center Marker

Inscription.
Following their two week furloughs, new recruits reported to their designated reception centers, which were usually located inside previously existing sprawling installations. Here America’s soldiers got their first taste of Army life and barracks living. Shortly after arriving and being greeted by a noncommissioned officer, the inductees began the Army process of hurrying up and waiting while accomplishing the following tasks:
- get a “short physical Inspection”.
- Get an Army haircut.
- Receive an initial issue of Army clothing.
- Be fitted for shoes and boots.
- Read the Articles of War and have them explained.
- Undergo a battery of aptitude tests, which were key in determining a soldier’s classification category and placement.
- Receive immunizations (on both arms at the same time).
- Adjust to living in an open bay barracks.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 40° 12.344′ N, 77° 9.586′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: Induction Centers (a few steps from this marker); World War II Core Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Integrity (within shouting distance of this marker); Kady Brownell (within shouting distance of this marker); Sergeant Frederick A. Counsel (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Winter Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Cabins (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pine Cottage (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Other markers no longer nearby. Colonel Peter R. Mansoor (was within shouting distance of this marker); Sergeant Michael A. Mira (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Army Introduces a Heavyweight: The 3-Inch Antitank Gun M5/M6 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Insert - reception center activities image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. Insert - reception center activities

Reception Center Mdisplay image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

3. Reception Center Mdisplay

Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.