Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-16
Equivalent May Be Substituted.

ten authority Of commanding officers,
be varied by substituting equivalent
athletic exercises, generally in the opeil
air, but otherwise in gymnasiums when
medical officers deem special gymnastic
exercises call for the exceptional
physical conditions. The required or
substituted exercise need not neces-
sarily be taken daily during those
months in which an officer shall ride
not less than $50 miles or cover on foot
not less than Is miles or take the
equivalent thereof in drills in halls or
outdoors, field exercises and practice
marches No officer will be permitted
to absent himself from this exercise
on account of sickness unless excused
by a surgeon.
Division and department commanders
will cause all field officers within the
geographical limits of their commands
to be examined physically once In each
fiscal year. AS soon as possible AFTER
the physical examination an opportunity
will be afforded all officers to take rid
ing test to consist of marches Of thirty
six miles per day for three consecutive
days for all field officers of cavalry and
field artillery, and thirty miles per day
for three consecutive days for all other
officers above the rank Of captain.
Specified in Regulations.
Each of the three marches required
wil, be made in accordance with the
methods prescribed in section 16o, field
service regulations. Two of them will
he concluded within seven hours and
thirty minutes each after starting, and
one within six hours and thirty minutes,
all to include proper rest The annual
riding tests for officers serving IN the
tropjcs will cover in the same time, hVe-
sixths of the distance required OF Of
ficers serving elsewhere. AS soon as pos
sibIe after concluding the third day s
march and in no case more than three
| hours thereafter, each off1cer taking the
| test will again be examined by medical
| officers. .
| Field officers of the Coast Artillery
! Corps will take a marching test IN lieu
! of the riding test, and under the same
| provisions as to physical examinations
| before and after the test. This Will con-
| sist of a march of fifty-four miles, to be
made in three consecutive days, and In a
| total of twenty hours, including rests,
| the march on any one day to be during
consecutive hours Should any OF these
officers prefer. and it be practicable they
| NAV be permitted to take the riding test
| instead of this marching test. Side arms
| need not be worn while taking exercise
| or tests.
Exceptions to Be Made.
l 1900
| corps. not detailed from the line. en-
gagged upon civil work OF technical
| character who have reached an age and
rank which render it highly improbable
! mat they will ever be assigned to any
duty requiring participation In active mil
| itarv operations in the field may. upor
| their own application. be excused from
| the physical test but not the physica
examination. Such request. however
| II granted will be regarded by the execu'
tive authority as conclusive reason fol
not selecting them for any future promo
| ton in volunteer rank Or for assignment
or promotion to positions involving active
narticipaticn in field operations OF the
i line OF the army during war.
| Though sll officers will be examined
| nhysjcaIIy once each fiscal year. no Officer
! over sixty-two years of age will be re-
auired to take the physical test, but any
| such officer may be permitted to do sc
on his own application. provided the medi
cal cfficer making the physical exam
nation does not certify that he canno
! take Il without seriously en6angerinl
his health.