The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-01-05
'H0NE TODAY FROM
OFFICERS SCHOOL
frank LeRrcn and Lieutenants
sherlock and smales are In
strueted in Bur-
linston.
| MANY OFFICERS GATHER
something About the Manner Of Con.
Quoting the School and the
Benefits to be Derived
From It.

captain Frank LeBron and Lieuten-
ants Sherlock and Smales returned
last night from the school for officers
II the 54t,i infantry, Iowa National
Guard, which has been conducted for
two days at Burlington.
Tie school was in charge of Col.
R. P. Howell and Captain R. McCleaye,
United States army, detailed as inspec-
,or.instructor Of the Iowa National
(;uard, acted as inspector.
The new infantry drill regulations
inst issued were thoroughly discussed
and interpreted and the officers were
given an opportunity to fully under
stand every change and addition.
The new regulations are much more
condensed than the old ones and while
the number of actual commands has
been lessened the responsibility of of
icers and non-commissioned officers
has been made much greater.
What is known as CLOSE order drill'
or as the people in general term
.dril' includes fewer eyolutions than
before. This class of drilling is in
| tended to create discipline and obed.
| fence on the part of the men and the
new regulations are different from the
old principally in the fact that they
provide for perfect organization OF
bodies OF troops of all sizes SO that
the health and action under actual
battle or war conditions Will depend
upon the efficiency of the officers and
non.commissioned officers.
Under the new organization it is
Just series OF steps from a private
to the highest officer in the army, civ
Ing each a specific uty and respon-
sibility according to rank.
For instance, company is organic
ed in squads and platoons. A squad
consists Of seven men and corporal
The corporal is the actual commander
Of these seven men. A superior of
ficer does not question any act OF the
| men but holds the corporal strictly
responsible for everything pertaining
to the squad
Two to four squads form a platoon
commanded by a lieutenant or serg
cant. For every duty the commander
Of these small subdivisions is re
sponsible.
Actual commands are fewer for or
ders take the place of commands. j
body OF troops is engaged in battle
the highest officer would issue spe
eihc order to all commanders next il
rank, who would carry out the ordel
BY orders to their next interiors ant
50 on down to platoon or squad.
company commander might get al
order stating that he was to occup,
particular hill or advantageous
position. He would instruct hi
Eeutenants to take their respectiv,
platoons and take such positions a
he designated, The lieutenants woul,
lhen place their men and give still
more Instructions of sergeants ant
corporals.
The advantage of an organization
Ike this is apparent to all. 1t
based on the modern idea Of running
business. 1t removes small detail
rom the minds of higher officers an
demands more efficiency and study O
me part of subordinates.
Besides the review of the new dril
regulations matters of interest to tn
regiment were discussed.
The encampment this year wi
probably be out of the state and wi
oe maneuyer will regulars and n;
,'opal Guards acting together. A
branches of the service will be repre-
senled, infantry, cavalry, artiller,
engineers, signal corps, etc.
me federal pay bill was also di
cussed and from reports it seems a
most certain nat this bill will pas
"'ngress very shortly The Nation;
ouard will then receive monthly pa
ior their services. The amount of thi
my In company will vary froi
ss".Vo to $4,000 per year, exclusiy
= camp pay, according to rank.