Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-08

Washington, Nov. S.-ApproXimately
ready qualified for commissions in the
officers reserve corps Of the army, re-
Gently created by congress. The act
provides that the corps shall be an I'LL
innate reservoir from which in time Of
war win be drawn the necessary ad-
ditional officers of the regular army
and those for all volunteer regiments
that may be authorized.
Army officials are well pleased with
the progress made in this vital step
toward adequate national defense. Il
is expected that within another year
nearly $4,000 officers will have been
accepted and commissioned, ready for
immediate active duty should the need
arise.
Major the Highest Rank.
The officers reserve corps. as dis
tinct from the reserve officers train
ing corps. also newly created. was de-
signed by congress to furnish within
the shortest possible time a great body
of men whose ability to LEAD troops in
the field or to handle staff work had
been tested and approved and who
would be under definite obligations 10
respond instantly to cali to the col
orS. Every man must pass an eXami-
nation before board of army Officers,
in which his knowledge OF military
theory and practice is tested. When ne
has been commissioned the reserve Of
hcer keeps the commander OF the mill
tary department in which he lives IN
formed of his movements, ready for
mobilization.
Reserve officers Will be named in
grades up to major and are selected
for the various staff corps as well as
the line. Included among those VINO
have already made application tor ap-
poinments are many doctoit, ensl-
neers. telegraph and telephone special
.sts, railroad engineers, contractors and
The like.
A Training Corps Also.
The war depa rtme:.t has issued reg
uiations governing the enrolment ana
training Of the officers reserve corps,
the reserve, officers. training corps ana
for the minor schools wiIich VIII be the
main source form which the reserve
corps itself Will be recruited.
Proposals as to regulations TO gov
ern tbs enlisted reserves. also newly
created and including provisions for
the enrolment Of skilled workers in
all trades ana professions that wou'o
be valuable to the army in time VI
war. are now being prepared A series
of general orders will soon De Issued
after which the enrolment of the men
will begin.
The regulations for the reserve corps
provide that any American citizen
within the prescribed age limits anu
physically ut for military duty may
apply for a commission The general
heads Of the subjects in which ne WIZ
be required to pass ora! or practlcai
tests are given and fun list or reter>
ence books, army regulations and the
like with which he may prepare ID
published. The particular requirements
for each branch Of the service are also
set forth for each available grade IN
rank.
Commissioned For Five Years.
The corps has been divided into
twelve sections, one for eacn dhstinct
branch of the military service. THESE
are the infantry, cavalry, field artillery
coast artillery, medical Gncluding den :
tai and Veterinary, adjutant general s.
Judge advocate generals, inspector
generals, quartermaster generals, en-
gineers, ordnance and signal. Com
mission will be issued for hve years
but can't be renewed until the officer
has reached the prescribed maximum
aye limit for his rank. He viii then
be discharged unless he shows on eN-
animation his fitness for promotion to
! a higher rank.
Each officer will be liable for htteen
days' service in each calendar year
with troops or under instruction win
| in the military department in which NJ
lives. The periods Of training can Of
extended only with the officers con
! sent and he will receive the pay az
lowances Of his grade in the resula
| army while on training duty.
The regulations provide that no OF
scer on the active lists OF the resuia
army or National Guard can be CEN
missioned In the reserve corps, aitn'
enlisted men In both services may tax
| tho examinations.