The Cairo bulletin., 1912-07-21
FOR AWKWARD SQUAD
DRILL SERoEANT's ADVICE TO
THE MILITIA RECRUIT.
Instructions for the Making Of a Good
Soldier That Contain Much vaiu-
able Inside Information couched
In Homely PhraseoIogy.

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
foreword that the instructions are
couched in homely phraseology, such
as drill sergeant might use in talk
to recruit in whom he is interested.
Here. them, Is the drill sergeant in
action;
Don't get mad because you don't
understand the reason for command
1t may have a deeper meaning than
you can fathom. Just do 1t and let 1t
60 at that.
The object of drill and discipline is
not to worry you. The captain is not
sitting up all night to invent contrap-
tfons to prosecute you.
IF you are weak and easily thrown
of 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 bluff that you are cool as GU
cumber Disguise your anger.
Don't stay mad long; ii uses up too
much energy. Save your energy as you
would ammunition Remember that 1t
is sign of strength to hide your tenl@
per. Don't copy after some few off,
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. Il 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.
eff you are easy going and good
sport, you will take these harmless
jokes In a good natured way and get
along with your bunkie and other
comrades. If YOU can control your tenn
per and have the nerve to stand lit
lie teasing without suffering, you
won't run up against any of the cheap,
high school variety of haEing.
"eWar your hat straight on your
head, not cooked saucily on the side.
DON'T wear 1t ON the back Of the head
Dent stick cartridges in the maitland
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 a handspring,
howl with joy or fire off blank cart
ridges. On the other hand, don't limp
off, cussing out your captain, thus ad
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 anyuue, Keep it locked.
You must habitaallys Imagine that Il Is
loaded. 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 40
sharp as razor
Initiative tells you what to do and
when to do 1t. 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, 1t
tells you when to cease firing and
jwhento dash forward, STOPPING lowstuf
The ground until you come to the next
cover. Initiative tells you when you're
to follow me- 1t dopes out the plan.
II carries 1t out Initiative is the happy
thought put into action.
obedience, nerve and initiative. but
the greatest of these is initiative"