 When President Franklin D. Roosevelt put the National Guard under federal control and activated the 36th Infantry Division, the Waskow brothers were transferred to Camp Bowie, Texas in January 1941.Waskow was given his commission as a second lieutenant on March 14, 1941 and received training at Fort Benning, Georgia before being assigned to 'B' Company of the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment.As an officer, Waskow proved to be a principled and compassionate leader, giving those under his command individual attention.