The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-09-06
FOR AWKWARD SQUAD
DRILL sERGEANT'S ADVICE TO
THE MILITIA RECRUIT.
instructions for the Making of a Good
Soldier That Contain Much Valu-
able Inside information couched
in Homely Phraseoloey.

Instructions to a newly enlisted
man, just published, issued for the in
formation of the organized militia OF
New York, contains some interesting
inside information.
Adjutant General Verbeck states in
a foreword that the instructions are
couched in homely phraseology, such
as drill sergeant might use in a talk
to recruit in whom he is interested.
Here, then. is the drill sergeant in
action:
Don't get mad because you don't
understand the reason for command.
1t may have deeper meaning than
you can fathom. Just do it and let it
go at that
The object of drill and discipline is
not to worry you. The captain is not
sitting up all night to invent contrap-
tons to persecute you.
III you are weak and easily thrown
on your base, get back into control Of
yourself as quickly as you can. If you
are the kind that boils over at the
slightest rubbing the wrong way, put
up the blum that you are cool as Gu
cumber. Disguise your anger.
Don't stay mad long; 1t uses up too
much energy. Save your energy as you
would ammunition. Remember that II
is sign of strength to hide your tenn
per Don't copy after some few offi-
GERS who buster and storm with brave
oaths. They peter out on the firing
line. Hot heads make cold feet. Be
afraid of the quiet kind.
Rub yourself off the slate and you'll
get along with the men Of your com.
pany 1t is only the conspicuous, fresh
recruit who talks too much with his
mouth that is sent on errands for
'skirmish line 'saber ammunition
tent wrenches' and other imaginary
ordnance property.
II you are easy going and a good
sport, you will take these harmless
jokes in a good natured way and get
along with your bunkie and other
comrades. IL you can control your tenn.
per and have the nerve to stand a lit
tie teasing without sputtering. you
won't run up against any of the cheap,
high school variety OF hazing.
"eWar your hat straight on your
head, not cooked saucily on the side.
Don't wear it on the back of the head.
Don't stick cartridges in the hatband.
Don't have the service hat used as an
autograph album.
Learn to stand steadily, not like a
ramrod but without strain. Don't spit
in ranks; don't wiggle. Don't follow
the inspector with your eyes.
when your company is dismissed
from drill. don't turn handspring,
howl with joy or fire off blank cart
ridges. On the other hand, don't limp
of, cussing out your captain, thus adj
vertising that you are all in. Just dis
appear; evaporate.
Don't roll up your shirt sleeves un-
less you are doing dirty work and
want them kept clean. Never point
your gun at anyone Keep it locked. |
You must habitually imagine that it is
ioaoed. when you are on the range, |
keep the bolt drawn back except when !
you are actually shooting.
Don't fence with your bayonet or
swing it about recklessly, as it is as
sharp as a razor.
Initiative tells you what to do and |
when to do it. It's the brains in the |
head, not in the heels. It's the stuff |
out of which captains are made. When |
you're in the trenches and you can't |
hear yourself think for the rattle, it |
ellis you when to cease firing and |
when to dash forward, STOPPING low to
he ground until you come to the next
cover. Initiative tells you when you're
o follow me- 1t dopes out the plan.
t carries it out. Initiative is the happy
hought put into action.
Obedience, nerve and initiative, bat
he greatest of these is initiative"