New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-26
DRILLING RAW RECRUITS.
HOW CITIZENS ARE MADE SOLDIERS.
SCENES IN NATIONAL GUARD ARMoRIEs-THE AWE
WARD SQUAD.

SCENES ~ NATIONAL GUARD ARMoRIES-THE AWK-
WARD SQUAD.
The National Guard is school in which
instruction In military duties easy and pleasant for
those VINO are anxious 10 learn. To convert a raw
recruit into a trained sol er Is simIe process where
the pupl Is art aud eager and where the Instructor
his but where the former Is slow Oh
spprehenson aud the latter too quick AMI impatient
the result 10 heArtrening to both. Young mon enlist
uc n the National Guard with the idea that by simply
donniug the uniform they soldiers 0nd that
this ia mistaken notion There Is much to learn la the
military school, and tho rapdity OF mans advance
rusnt depends largely upon himself Tho military
instinct In Is marked: In others 1t may DC
gradually developed but there are men who Tor sone
mex pliosts reason have felt impeled to loin the
Natioual Guard VINO nsver can become sol
der, When such nan enlls,s aud nnis his
appropriate place In the awkward squad he tries Tue
patience OF his officers sometimes beyond endurance
and II any possible excuse for droppas him from the
rolls before the expiration OF his term OF service can be
found It taken advantage or at the hr,t favorable
opportunty Tue malortY. however, OF those who
secure An election membership In tue National Guard
for this is prerequisite and many are rejected who
epply-are Young whose tendencies and character
istics have predisposed them TO take kindly to the
military methods. They patient and longs suffering
In drill appreciate the necessity OF military restraints
and dscI line and gradually become good soldiers as
far "a militia service in time OF peace make them
So
OF course all recruits more or less awkward when
for the first time they appear In Uniform. and the
contrast between undergoing their nrst drill and
those who have peen long the ranks apparent TO the
most unpractisod eye. Before tue newly enlisted man
ha. nnderroue the DIST aud important IrOcess or
setting up," he nitjn has IDEAS about tue proper
carriage OF man III uniform w"icl give MN riilo-
ulons appearance one will stand sunny on his legs.
uate MS ab iomen, back his head, and keep his
nose pointed uI ward cJnstantly the
ceiling CONCERNING fitness to become at some future
time major general aud seeking TO read the answer In
Inu stars Another Will stsnl III slovenly posture
with egs de apart and hip advanced, or one shoulder
drvOI ing
The FIRST LESSON PoR THE BHGr NNER
To correct sucn awkwardness Is the first duty OF the
officer or non ssloued ocer IN charge OF squad,
and when by precoI and example ne has taught them
the position OF rue soldier they present. different
ucturs Eaen man stands with heels the same
line and q, near each otner as conformation permits
for som. WHO are Snock have very large calves
cannot CONSTANT make their heels tOuch wnlo
staudlng s feet are turned out equally. forming with
each Anels OF about sixty degrees Tue knros
are without stfuess Tue body Is erect on me
square aud falling equally. The arms hang naturally
with tue elbows near tue body The palms OF .o usus
the seas trousers. Tue mead Is held erect and
square he front. tue chin slightly drawn IN without
straih 6s straight 10 the front anu strhs ITO
ground al about tue distance Of uiteon yards ,
Inc mistakes that clumsy men maze "nen plac.lsns
their urst lessons IN school OF the SOLDIER are often
ludicrous one will tread ON tne toes 81 sno nsh. ga,
stepping the march WIZ NVuu 'ao oe. y. ao
dawn with oane Al order. on tho foot OF his
ueighDor Inducing sudden rof.ntyn spite OF dscipne
And the Re varieties OF gat and carria<o
A. squad OF uulutred their frat masoh together
are snu.uey numerous aud. Ike tne stripes on the
zebr whose beauties POINTED out by tue snowman,
nary oae alike" Tue sturdy guide, WHO 10 an old
soldier leads IN regulation steI After him troop the
recruits stumbling carelessy aohs some liottnk
ON tusr toes some Oh . gallop, some struggling 10
rear. rines pointing IN every Ios.ioe direction
"A II An attack AL AZ once were expected
such scenes were witness ed during tue war when IL
was necessary to tae recruit at once
ninth Nm /.
had 10 march vita him. bur 10 tue National Uuari a. IN
tho regular army In time OF peace, the Instruction 70
more deliberate and unt tue colder 10 we'll act
up," and made familiar with the different pacos 10
marchlng the taoings and shs wheelings, 10 muskss