Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-18
Annual Inspection and Mus
ter CT Local Troops.
OFFICERS DETAILED
NEW COURSE OF RIFLE PRACTICE
FOR DISTRICT BRIGADE.
Army Orders and Circulars = Monday
Meetings at Militia Headquarters
Have Been Discontinued.


National Guard are to be formally inspect
ed next month by an officer of the regular
army. whose report thereon will be for
warded to the Secretary of War. Gen.
Chaffee, commanding the department of
the east. has detailed Capt G. w. s. Ste
vens, Artillery Corps. now stationed at
Fort Washington. Md, to make the in
spection.
1t is practically a certainty that Capt
Stevens will arrange to make his inspec
ton on the dates announced for the an
nual inspection and muster of the local
troops, as follows:
/. General staff and non-commissioned staff
of the militia at headquarters at o'clock
IN. Monday May 4.
Field and staff. LIST Regiment. at o'clock
pm, Thursday, May T.
First Battalion. at its armory, at o'clock
pm. Tuesday. May II.
Second Battalion, at S:15 o'clock pm.
Thursday May7.
Third Battalion. at o'clock p.m., Thurs
day, May Z.
Field and staff, I'd Regiment. at o'clock
pm, Tuesday, May 5.
Fourth Battalion. at s:15 o'clock pm.
Tuesday, May 5.
Fifth Battalion. at $50 O'Clock pm.
Sixth Battalion. at. 8 o'clock pm. We'd
nesday, May g.
First Separate Battalion, at Center mar
ket armory. at s:45 o'clock pm. Monday.
May II.
Naval Battalion and Signal Corps, at
Center market armory, at S:15 o'clock pm,
Friday, May 8.
Field Music, at o'clock pm, Friday,
May Is.
The inspection on behalf Of the National
Guard will be conducted by Major Charles
assisted by Captain Alfred P. Robbins and
Captain c. Fred Cook, aids de-camp. Cap
tain Stevens will undoubtedly accompany
the militia inspecting officers
New Course Of Rifle Practice.
In general orders just issued from head
quarters of the District of Columbia militia,
special course c." small-arms firing regu-
lations, promulgated by the War Depart
ment, has been officially adopted for the
government Of the District National Guard.
Those portions OF the order that have not
low:
Rifle practice is considered an indispen-
sable part of the instruction Of the Ma
tional Guard. 1t being essential that IN
structors should themselves be proficient,
both in the theoretical and practical details
Of the subject, all officers arc enjoined to
make themselves thoroughly familiar with
the system of instruction prescribed in
Firing Regulations for Small Arms for
the United States Army" and they will be
required to participate in all preliminary
instruction and target practice that may
be ordered for the command. Officers will
impress upon their men the vital necessity
of being able to handle the riflo effectively,
and in target practice will strive to attain
a proficiency in advance of them. They
will endeavor to awaken the enthusiasm of
their men and foster a spirit Of emulation,
assuring the poorer shots that careful at
tention to instruction and advice will ulti-
mately make them proficient.
Practice will be conducted under the In
struction and direction of the inspectors of
rifle practice of the respective organiza-
lions.
A full score will consist Of five consecu-
tive shots at each or any of the practice
distances. Time limit for short and mid
ranges, five minutes for each score. No
time limit for long ranges.
A skirmtsh run will consist of twenty
shots on group skirmish target q. Dis
lance, from six hundred to two hundred
yards.
Positions: At 200 yards. standing; 700
yards, sitting or kneeling; at all other dis
tances, prone.
The use of the sling is permitted at any
distance, but it must not be detached from
the lower band and the butt swivel
Staff officers are not required to fire an
official score, but may do so. Their records
will be reported separately.
No officer or soldier will be permitted to
fire a score who has not been fully instruct
scribed by the firing regulations for small
arms, U. 8. A., unless he has had previous
experience on the range.
No other arm than the service rife, and
no other ammunition than that issued on
the spot by the inspector of rifle practice
In charge Of the practice, will be permitted
to be used.
Except that the sights may be black
ened. no alteration of the regular service
sights will be permitted. The use Of de-
tachable spirit levels. temporary shades for
the sight, or orthoptic eyepieces is forbid
den.
The classification including fourth-class,
third-class, second-class -first-class Marks
men. sharpshooters and experts, is set
forth in detail in the order.
Skirmish Fire
For skirmish fire the order provides:
Target ''G."-Group skirrnish target
Composed of the two figure targets ID
and ''E'' placed In line, forming a group,
the kneeling figure on the military
right. the distance between the centers of
figures being one yard. Value Of hits. d.
rect or ricochet, on lying figure. g.: on
kneeling figure, 4. Hits on or within the
steel frame only count.
Procedures: A squad of convenient num-
Der is formed in line opposite the targets at
Il0k~