The Holbrook news., 1912-08-09
FOR AWKWARD SQUAD DRILL SERGEANT'S ADVICE TO
 THE MILITIA RECRUIT.
instructions for the Making of Good Soldier That Contain Much Valu- able Inside Information Couched
 in Homely Phraseology.

Instructions to 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 phraseclogy, such IS a 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 a command. It may have a 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- ions to persecute you.
 'If you are weak and easily thrown off 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 1p the bluff that you are cool as a cu- 7
 Don't stay mad long; it uses up too much energy. Save your energy as you would ammunition. Remember that it s sign of strength to hide your tenn per. Don't copy after some few off, eers who buster and storm with brave paths. 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 con- pany It 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.
 ''If 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. If you can control your tenn per and have the nerve to stand lit tle teasing without sputtering, you won't run up against any of the cheap, nigh school variety of hazing.
 "eWar your hat straight on your uGdQ5 nOl COCASu SduC41g O4 lAC S40O- 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 ramrod, but without strain. Don't spit n 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 anyone. Keep it locked. You must habitually imagine that it 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 as sharp as 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 put of which captains are made. When you're in the trenches and you can't hear yourself think for the rattle, it tells you when to cease firing and when to dash forward, stopping low to the ground until you come to the next cover Initiative tells you when you're to follow me- It dopes out the plan. It carries it out Initiative is the happy thought put into action.
 Obedience, nerve and initiative, but the greatest of these is initiative"