The morning call., 1893-06-25
LESS ROUTINE DRILL.

Lieutenant-ColonelD d. Geary of the Sec
ond Artillery Regiment is one Of the vet
eran officers of the guard and is one of the
most capable driilmasters in the service.
He has served term of enlistment in the
regular army. and his long experience in
both services qualities him TO speak with a
ripened judgment. His views on the SUBJ
ject of National Guard reforms were stated
by him TO lows:
"The republic requires that every able
bodied citizen between the ages of IS and
- shall render military service to
the state. Aside from this and as re-
turn Tor the support and affection afforded
to us by our Government, the spirit Of
loyalty and patriotism should fill the
ranks of the National Guard to overflow
ing with the best and brightest of our
young American citizens.
Tine best method of attaining a high
standard in National Guard organization is
to a certain extent as yet experimental.
In my opinion, to attain the best re-
suits, II is necessary that all officers and
nOn-commissioned officers should not only
possess the requisite military knowledge,
but should also be able to impart such in
formation in an instructive AMI interest
ing manner.
''The eternal 'fours right and 'fours
left column right and column left and
march in columns OF tours for hour after
hour IN an arm0ry has discouraged and
Disguised more National Guard soldiers
than any other practice. Officers should
be possessed OF some originality. Instruc-
ton IN drill should be a work of interest
not hard LABOR. Every detail should be
studied out carefully and taught in the
most thorough manner. 1t requires at
least six months careful instruction to
perfect recruits in the school Of The SOL
der The position of attention is the
groundwork of all discipline. This once
attained the school of the company and of
the battalion is matter OF practice and
routine.
The manner in which the companies
can be recruited TO the requisite strength
is matter OF great Importance. a COM
pany to be effective should have at least
eighty well-drlled men. The captain who
can attain and keep this standard must be
possessed of considerable energy and no
small amount of magnetism. The COM
handing officer Of a company should not
be required TO attend to the recruiting in
addition to his other duties. The lieuten-
ants and nOn-commissioned officers should
be required TO attend to this duty. \ lieu-
tenant with the aid OF his two sergeants as
chiefs OF section and four cOrporalS as
squad leaders should have no difficulty in
keeping his platoon up TO the requisite
strength.
Every 0fflcer and on-commissloned Of
Gcer OF the National Guard should give the
necessary time and labor to the duties of
his Office. They should bring ability, en-
ergy and enthusiasm to the work, other
wise they prove more of a detriment than
benefit.
"a regimental commander should in
struct his officers in their various duties and
battalion and company commanders should
be held to a strict accountability for the
efficiency of their respective commands,
which would result in giving to the State
in time of need an effective force of civil
ian soldiers that would be respected and
honored by our fellow-citlZens."