 The FMPU was unique in comparison to other military units in the methods employed to obtain recruits . Many members were well into middle age and unsuitable for combat duty . Few of the men in the FMPU were ever sent to a war zone . Due to its special mission , the unit was able to bypass the normal recruiting channels and was empowered to draft directly . Basic Training was not as rigorous as that experienced by most servicemen . According to former unit member Howard Landres , Basic Training was mandatory , " but it wasn ’ t the basic @-@ basic . " 
