The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-03-11
THE REGULAR ARMY
1t is Small Numerically, But Of
The Highest Grade.
What the Applicant Must Do to
Get Into the Ranks.

is made up of rather inferior men.
Probably this idea was always wrong.
Certainly it is today entirely unfound-
ed, for the very good reason that the
standard by which applicants for en-
listment are measured is higher in the
United States than in any other coun.
try in the world, and the boys who
wear the blue are as fine specimens of
healthy and intelligent manhood as
were ever mustered under flag.
Only unmarried men between twenty
one and thirty years of age are now
accepted, and most men are ut their
best physically at that period of life.
The applicant is allowed to state
whether he wishes to 60 into tho foot
or the mounted service, and his de-
sires are generally respected. For
infantry mau must not be less than
live feet four inches in height, and
weigh not less than 1913 pounds, nor
more than 100 pounds. For cavalry
the height must not be less than five
feet four inches, nor more than five
feet ten inches, while the weight and
chest measurements are as follows:
For man II. 4 In tai, weight 1913 pounds,
chest 32 l-2 inches.
For a man 9. in. tall, weight 1870
pounds, chest 80 inches. - .rs ~
For a man II. In. tall weight 1872
pounds. chest SO 1-2 inches.
For a man 5 Il. 7 In. tall, weight 1874
| pounds, chest "a inches.
For n man II. 8 In. tall. weight 141
, pounds, chest "a inches.
For a man #. 0 In. tall, weight 14s
pounds, chest "a 1-2 inches.
For a man 8 It. 10 in. tall, weight 1856
pounds, chest 35 inches.
If the regulations should be
stretched 80 as to let in taller man
than five feet ten, then his size must
increase in similar proportion to his
height. For instance, q man, six
feet one in height must weigh 176
pounds and have chest measurement
of 80 Ia inches. Indeed there is no
prejudice against tall men, but they
are scrutinized very carefully and
must be symmetrical also.
When the applicant goes up for ex-
animation he is weighed, measured
and described by a sergeant, and n
blank filed out which when complete,
reveals every possible thing about the
applicants physical structure and con-
dition. This is scrutinized by the
recruiting officer, and then the appli-
cant goes before the surgeon and is
stripped that the medical men may
verify the previous examination. This
is done ia the most minute way and a
certificate that is as exact as may be is
given. If he be accepted the recruit
is sworn to the service by the recruit
ing officer, and il the enlistment be in
New York he is sent to David's Island
and from there to the command with
which he is to serve.
Men are not enlisted especially for
tho artillery, but the most intelligent
Of those who 60 into the mounted
forces are selected for this arm of the
service when there are vacancies in 1t.
The artillery, therefore, is composed
of picked men, and this accounts for
the splendid bearing of these soldiers
whenever they are seen on parade.
The term of service in the army is
now three years and the number Of
men about 100000; and therefore it il
necessary to secure each year by en-
listments and re-enlistments some
thing like 1000 men. About 1000 OF
these are re-enlistments of men who
become attached to the service or who
acquire what might be called the army
habit. The examination of n man
who has served one enlistment or more
and has good record is naturally less
severe than that given to new re-
cruit, for the man of experience may
have acquired blemishes as incidents
OF his service aud these, unless debili'
tating, are quite properly not counted
against him. The man of experience,
too, Is considered much more vslu.
able soldier than the novice.
J The scheme OF the statute under
which recruiting is done, while it en-
eourages re-enlistment, also provides
for the probable feturn of discharged
soldiers to civil life. Now. when ,
man is discharged he is not re-enlistet
until three months after that time i
: he care for such furlough, SO that h,
0 san have taste OF civil life, and thi'
! period Is counted as part OF his ser
. vice,