The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-03-07
Education fn the Hrf11v.

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Paper Read Before the ChatttG,tQua Circle
"HERE is no doubt that the |
majority of the citizens Of the |
United States have formed the
opinion that after cadet at
the military academy graduates, and
receives his commission as second lieu
tenant in the army, he has nothing else
to do than don his uniform, drill for
short while daily, and devote the rest
of his time to amusements of various
kinds. 1t is for the purpose of correct
ing this impression should 1t prevail
with my hearers, and to give you an
4dea of the opportunities offered the
enlisted men OF the service for what
might be termed high school educa-
tion. that have written this paper.
The system of education in the
United States Army may be said to
embrace four separate branches, ar
ragged as follows: The military acad-
emy at West Point, N. Y, garrison
schools for officers, special service
schools and post schools for enlisted
men.
With the exception of the military
academy, the schools mentioned are
under the general supervision Of the
Secretary of War and the Commanding
General, who are charged with the
duty of maintaining complete system
of education in which each school shall
perform it's part. Garrison schools for
officers are schools at which each
officer is compelled to take the course
Of instruction. The course for each
arm of the service is separate and
complete in itself.
For instance, engineering officers
serving with troops would have sub
jects like the following: Civil, coast
and field engineering, military and
International law, surveying, building
construction, heating and ventilation,
foundations and masonry in addition
to ths regular subjects that the infan-
try, cavalry and artillery officers
would have. At these schools exam.
nations are held annually. The ques'
tions are prepared by the Secretary OF
War and transmitted to department
commanders for distribution. Both
the examining officers and those who
mark the examination papers are
senior in rank to the student officers
The officers who obtain seventy-five
per cent or more are presented with
individual certificates of proficiency
but those who fail to receive seventy
Eve per cent are considered deficient
In such cases the officers are reported
thru military channels to the Depart
ment Commander who has the resul
of their examinations endorsed OF
their efficiency records. They are thel
required to repeat the course In tina
subject in the next term at which it i
given. In the event of second fail
ure, which seldom occurs, the matte
would be brought to the attention o
the Secretary of War who would have
board appointed to examine the unfol
tunate officers as to their fitness 70
promotion. 1t is needless to say tina
the result is either resignation or dis
missal from the service.
Special service schools are those g
which the instruction is OF an especis
nature, always bearing on some pal
ticular study. The object of thes
schools is to give unfailing found.
tions in selected studies, not to cove
great fields of knowledge in numerou
ones. The younger officers are con
PEELED to attend each one in turn. Tt
course of instruction is of such in
portance to the student, that in ordt
to attend he is excused from most q
other duties. The high standard g
by the instructors, who are field Office
of more than fifteen years service, ar
authorities on the subject they hand
enables the student officer to acqui
naturally and readily the specil
knowledge impaired. The course
instruction for each school occupi
about nine months; the student If su
cessful receives certificate, whi'
excuses him from recitations and 9
aminations on the same subjects shou
they come up at some future tin
That is, they are excused from t
theoretical but not the practical part