Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-05-05
ENCAMPMENTS TO
BE HELD AS USUAL
Tentative Dates Are Announc.
ed, Subject to Unforeseen
Circumstances

Important information for members
oc the National Guard of Pennsylvania
concerning the summer encampments
is contained in a bulletin of notes
issued by Adjutant General Thomas j.
Stewart for information of the officers
and men of the organized militia of
the State. The bulletin is the first to
be issued since last July and is as fol-
lows:
Owing to the insufficiency of avail
able funds, no camp of instruction for
officers of infantry will be held during
1915.
The following tentative dates have
been fixed for annual encampments
during the year 1916: First, Third and
Fourth Brigades, at Mount Gretna,
July 7-15; Second Brigade, August
SIP, inclusive, location to be selected
by the brigade commander: First Cav
airy. not determined as to date or
place, but awaiting action by War De-
pertinent as to- joint camp (early in
formation will he given); field artil-
lery, at Tobyhanna, Pa; Batteries A,
G and ID, July 20 to August 4: Bat
teries r, r and +, August 6-15: field
hospitals and ambulance companies at
Tobyhanna, Pa, August 1920; engi-
neer companies. at Belvoir Tract, Nir-
ginia, July 5-16; signal troops, with
Second Brigade. August SIP; rifle
at Mount Gretna, August 1925; camp
of instruction for officers and enlisted
men, cavalry, Fort Myer, Va. May
21-2S; medical officers and enlisted
men of field hospitals and ambulance
companies and sanitary detachments,
az Tobyhanna, Pa, June 1929: artil-
lery. Tobyhanna, Pa. May 81 to June 4.
The pending legislation in Congress
may result in new regulations regard
ing enlisted men attending annual en-
campments or camps of instruction.
but at the present time the following
regulations win govern:
mo enlisted man will be entitled to
pay from Federal funds unless he has
had sixty days service Immediately
preceding the camp and has had dur
ing that period not less than fourteen
periods of practical progressive mill
tary instruction. No enlisted man will
be taken to camp who has not been
enlisted at least thirty days prior to
the opening of the camp in which the
organization participates. except in
cases of re-enlistment made imme-
diately upon expiration of previous
enlistment.
AN investigation made as to enlist
ments of men in past years imme-
diately prior to annual enCampments
indicates that in many instances COM
manding officers did not exercise
proper care as to the character of men
enlisted or as to their intention TO at
least to make an effort to become de-
sirable and efficient members OF the
q a a - let -
for the purpose of taking them to
camp and then after camp to find
them either. undesirable or disin-
terested- members of organizations is
waste of public funds as well as
effort II Is not absolutely necessary
TO take the minimum number of en-
listed men t65) to camp. but the men
who are taken should he dependable
men who are interested in the service.
and have had a reasonable amount of
military instruction. and have the self
respect and characteristics of a good
soldier.
AN enlistment is an important mat
ter and entails an exacting obligation
on the part of the individual. and
hence 1t is necessary and required
that the enlistment papers be pre-
pared with the utmost care
The physical examination must be
made prior to the administration of
the oath TO the recruit. and must be
made by an officer of the medical de-
partment or a physician or surgeon in
active practice, as required by law.
Dentists, osteopaths, oculists or op-
ticians are not considered physicians
or surgeons within the meaning of the
law referring to physical examination
of recruits.
Commanding officers OF companies.
troops and batteries are authorized to
administer oaths in cases of enlistment.
BY commanding officer is meant the
captain. If, however, a subordinate
administers the oath, letter should
be forwarded with the enlistment pa
pers in explanation"