Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

RILIlS of the National Guard of
the District of Columbia will be
discontinued FOR the holiday
season from December II to
January 3. General orders to
this effect will be issued by Adjt. Gen.
Smiley within the next few days. After
the drills commence again in January
every company and separate organization
commander will be expected to put forth
all effort to bring his command up to the
highest possible point of efficiency at the
annual inspections by the officers of the
War Department, which will be held dur
ing the spring.
The next inspections by the officers of
the regular army will be of particular i'm
portance in many respects. .pon their
reports on strength and efficiency will
depend to considerable extent the amount
of appropriations and other allowances
made to the local troops from the fedora
allotments during the ensuing year. This
wear will be the first time that the In
speeding officers will be able to report
that the National Guard of the District
has fulfilled all the requirements mace
of it by the federal laws and War De-
partment regulations prescribed Tor the
organized militia. They Will be able 10
report that the local brigade mas been
reOrRaniZeQ.
ouirements of the amended Dick bill. and
that 1t has adopted the physical standai.
of examination for enlistmentS prescribed
by the Secretary of War: In Drlef. tnat
the organized militia of the District mas
at least become. what it is intended to be,
an efficient reserve to the regular army,
ready to take the field at once without
any time losing formalities OF organlza-
ton or muster. At District Mliltla mead
quarters practically everything has been
done to get the local troops on the rlsht
track, and their efficiency is now matter
for the line officers and tue enlisted
personnel.
National Guard officers and men are
wording enthusiastically, and they fully
cxpect that the results of the coming
inspections vii show a decioeo step ioi ,
ward in the progress that has been noted
each year by the local brigade. They
realize that the road mas been long one
III the gradual transformation from the
old militia status of parddes ana snowy
uniforms 20 that of an effective second
line 10 the regular forces. They feel
tl,at they have now arrived at their long
desired goal, as TAR as their military and
legal status is concerned, and now all
that remains is TO continue to increase
the efficiency of officers and men.
So
In furtheranoe' of the express determi
nation OF District of Columbia Militia
charges of the enlisted personnel Of tn'
brigade have the true significance which
should attach TO them. general orders
have been issued giving specific instruc-
lions relative to discharges that are of
interest to all members of the guard.
All re-enlistments except for the post
non-comnissioned staff will be as pr-
Yates. and In the land forces the word
soldier will be written in blank in en-
listment paper.
II non-commissioned officer re-enlists
within ten days of the day of his dis
charge he re-enlists as a private, but his
warrant may remain in force until va
Gated by promotion or reduction. each
re-enlistment being noted on the war
rant by the company commander.
The discharge without honor is given
an enlisted man by order of the COM
Tnanding general on account of fraudu-
lent enlistment, or on account or being
continuously absent without leave from
his command for a period of not less
than three months
Fraudulent en- istment" Is defined at D.
c. Militia headquarters AN enlist
ment procured by means OF a willful
Misrepresentation in regard to a Qualifi-
cation or disqualification for enlistment.
or by intentional. concea!ment of dis
qualification, which has had the effect
OF causing the enlistment of man not
qualified to be a soldier, and who but
for such false representation or conceal
ment would have been rejected
The present enlistment blank requires
the applicant for enlistment to state that
he is of legal age to enlist, and in case OF
a minor his actual age; and procuring his
enlistment by giving false age is fraud.
ulent enlistment. and renders the soldier
liable to discharge without honor.
Recruiting and company officers are di-
rected TO notify ali applicants for enlist.
ment of the above facts. and will not en-.
list any applicant unless satisfied that he
is more than eighteen years of age.
In making out the honorable dis
charge" the company commander fills gu,
and signs military record" on back OF
discharge. and Character on the face OF
discharge.
In making out the discharge without
honor and the 'dishonorable dis
charge" the company commander fills ii
the data on face of the discharge anC
sends it to the officer designated for sig
nature.
Following table shows the proper office
who will prepare discharges and the prop
er officer to sign them:
0ficer Onicer
Enlisted men OF TO prepare sign
organization. discharge discharge.
Company Infantry 49,. Co. comdr. Regt conn.,
Regimental Band andl
ReEimental N. Q. 8. Regt. adJt. Regt com.