The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-11
SCHOOL FOR OFFICERS
FINE POINTS IN MILITARY USAGE
DISCUSSED AT SESSIONS.
Paper on ssCustOms of the Service"
Read by Lieut.. BOy1e-SOme
Military ''DOn'ts."

Fine points in military usage are being
considered at the National Guard School
of instruction in session at the Statehouse.
There are one hundred and fifty officers
of the guard present, representing every
grade of service. Captains and lieutenants
are common, and there is no scarcity of
majors and colonies. The Statehouse
glitters with the gold braid and brass
buttons of the officers uniforms.
The school of instruction, convened by
order of the Governor commander-in-
chief, commenced work yesterday after
noon. General Mckee presided and made
an address to the officers. Topics relating
to active service and camp duties were
discussed. The Governor was not present
at the opening session owing to the hearing
of the Dudley Queries touching on
puzzling questions were addressed to Gen.
eral Mckee, Adjutant General Ward, Col
onel II. b. Smith and other experienced
officers by some of the younger men who
showed healthy interest in the subject.
At the meeting last night the Governor
was present and made short talk to his
Service" there was more general discus
sion. The evening session was under the
auspices of the Indiana Military Institute,
organized last August by Indianapolis Of
ficers. In part Lieutenant Boyle said
CUSTOMS OF THE SERVICE.
Customs of the service are, correctly
speaking, the unwritten laws of the army
that were originally published for the guild
ance of those concerned and are now ex-
tinct so far as the great majority know.
An officer is confronted with situation
to him unusual; he bases his decision and
action on common sense and good breed
ing, the incident becomes known and
superior decides that he did the proper
thing at the proper moment, others fol-
low his lead and the action becomes GUS
tom of the service.
"Officers are divided into several classes
and these are distinct. There are general
officers, field officers, line officers and staff
officers, in the usual class. The usual inter-
probation of line officer is not always the
correct one, since it is usually a captain
or lieutenant of the line that is so called,
vet a colonel or a general may be a line
officer. In fact any officer that is not
staff officer is line officer for the reason
that he succeeds to the command of troops,
or in other words is in the line. A staff
officer does not succeed TO the command
of troops unless they be attached TO his
particular corps or command. Staff officers
take precedence over line officers OF equal
grade without regard to seniority in some
instances, in choosing quarters at
post, berths in a sleeping car or state
rooms on board a transport; but on boards
and courts they sit according to rank.
"All officers below the rank of captain,
both in the army and navy. are properly adj
dressed as mister In the army. how
ever they are not addressed when in
the presence of enlisted men.
SOME "DON'TS.'
I'm the social game remember the les
sons taught at your mothers knee. When
travelling and not on duty with troops
wear citizens dress; when on duty wear
the regulation uniform, and do not devil
ate therefrom. Never rebuke a junior
officer in the presence of enlisted men.
Never attempt TO interfere or exercise any
authority with the men belonging 10 an
other officers command unless they are
rioting or committing breach of disci-
pine.
Lieutenant Boyle gave an intesteing list
of '.don'ts which follow:
'Oo-it call your men boys or mister;