Evening star., 1915-09-17
ARE GIVEN INSTRUCTION
IN USE OF SMALL ARMS
Sailors and Marines Under Educa.
tional System at Win.
throp, Nd.
School in Charge Of Lieut.. George E.
Shuler Affords Wide Course
Of Training.

VI Ine navy IS the small arms SCHOOL
for sailors and marines at Winthrop,
Md, which is in charge of Lieut.. George
X. Shuler, United States Marine Corps.
1t is situated on a high bluff overlook
ing the Potomac river about thirty
miles south Of Washington.
Marines and bluejackets are sent
there in squads Of ten at times when
their absence will not interfere with
ship-work. That generally occurs at
overhauling time. and thirty men and
three officers compose the quota sent
from each ship. There usually is a
class of about forty under instruction
at the school at all times, in addition
to those who choose to remain longer.
Lieut.. shuler has small staff COM
posed of Sergt. Willis. lately of tho
Florida, and Corp. Williams. lately of
the North Dakota. The enlisted men
were chosen because of their pro-
ficiency in marine activities and their
capacity as teachers.
Teaches Science of Small Arms.
The principal object of the school is
to instruct the men in the science of
small arms in order to enable them to
coach their associates on board ships
and at the various naval stations.
Aregular program is followed, the navy
marine and army text books being used
as guides. The practical work includes
the taking apart and putting together.
under officers supervision, of sections
OF rifles, automatic pistols. machine
guns and other small weapons.
While the instruction at the school
at present is confined to small arms.
IT fs planned to add the 3-inch field gun
to the equipment. The wide scope of
training covers Navy, Army and Marine
tfon not only shoot the courses re-
qutred by the navy, but also those of
the army. including collective fire, ma
tonal match course and long range
firing.
Good Range Available.
There is an excellent range at the
school extending over the width Of
green valley and covering a course of
from 200 to 1000 yards. Station build
ings are scattered over the plateau
overlooking the course, while at the end
of the buIrs-eye target runs a steep
ridge forming a natural backstop.
After the first week Of instruction at
Winthrop the men have half a day of
training and spend the remaining half
in coaching. The latter requires prac-
tical experience in manning the butts,
in scoring on the firing line. In tele-
phone service and in every detail of
range work. When the course Is COM
pleted the men are qualified as we'll
rounded small-arms men, thoroughly
to handle any gun on the
range with precision.
notwithstanding the strenuous rou-
tine, the boys seem to enjoy their work,
and it is not unusual for the graduates
to request permission to stay over with
the succeeding squads in order to ex-
tend their period of instruction. As
sistants to the instructors are selected
from these stay-overs.
Recreation Afforded.
While under instruction the men are
accorded all the privileges Of the sta
tion, including the use of a well organ
lied post exchange, the use of canoes,
fishing. base ball and other recreation.
The messing arrangements are of the
best. The men maintain their own gar
den, poultry farm and dairy. A large
drove Of pigs provides fresh pork and
bacon. Plenty of fresh milk and eggs
are obtained from the station farms.
officers, marines. soldiers and blue
Jackets all practice under practically
Identical regulations.
Besides instructing regulars of the
navy and Marine Corps, arrangements
have been made, through the division
of militia affairs at the Navy Depart
lnent, TO detail from each battalion of
naval militia two petty officers for a
period Of coaching at the school. Under
the regula tions no distinction is made,
the militiamen firing under precisely
the same conditions as the regular
sailors and marines.
Work Done by Enlisted Men.
The entire station was laid out and
by enlisted men, Roads
were graded. d telephone system in
stalled. water and sewer systems laid.
the old farm structures repaired and
new ones erected: ranges laid off, rifle
butts put up and sidewalks and dock
built. A concrete butt has Just been
One who visits the institution at VIM
throp finds carpenter shops black smith,
gunsmith and plumbing and painting
shops, and a virtually self-made and
self sustained station. The marines
run the station and perform
the greater part of the work, including
the care of the live stock and gather
ing the crops. They also have repaired
and cleaned rifles and guns and have
even gone so far as to construct new
ones.
Much of the credit for the establish
ment and maintenance of the Winthrop
school is due to Lieut. Cal
vim B. Matthews, United States Marine
Corps, who is in command of the sta
tion.