Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-07

| ever. is OF interest not only as IL bear,
on the requirements for a commIssion
III me regular army. but also because
or The light II sheds on the character
or The examination that applicants for
INC rank of commissioned officers in
'ho volunteers are required to pass II
SHOWS that the government sets high
standard for the mon who command its
troops. mentally morale ,rd 49,;
cally.
An appointment as second lieutenant
is awarded annually To one honor grad
uatc OF each OF several Institutions
designated az distinguished colleges"
provided that any vacancies exist after
mo appointment OF West Point grad
yates and enlisted men who have
passed their examinations Such grad
yates are not required TO take any
mental examination.
'thcr candidates are given a search.
NIX mental examination. the general
character or which seems to presuppose
mat the applicant has had at least 4,
}horcuFh high school training. and
that lie stands Il better chance or win
h!hS MS appointment II he has had
some college work, for with certain re-
Strlctions the selection OF offers from
among the successful candidates +,
htscd upon their relative standing in
The examination.
Eaamincd on Many Subjects.
The examination includes such sinh.
1cctS as American history and cons,i-
tutl"n BIOGRAPHY. and various branches
or fairly advanced mathematics. Other
subjects covered are elementary sur
FcNihS-in which a theoretical knowl.
cdse is sufficient for the PURPOSES Of
tho examination: general history and
one modern language, either clenen.
t*rN frcnch, German or Spanish. The
knowledge OF all these subjects re-
CURED Is more or less elcmcntary, hut.
N,tt No 4.
10 SHOW special proficiency In Eng
hSh or III one modern language: or in
mathematics. or military engineering
or surveying.
The mental examination is only ono
side OF the matter. A rigid physical
examination is also specified and any
candidate who fails 10 pass II Is re-
jected by the medical examiners.
though he is ut liberty to take his
mental examination anyway, on tho
chance that his physical defect. IL com
parativcly slight. may not finally be
regarded as disqualifying. The applt-
cant Is also classified on his qualiiica-
tons for mounted service. according to
his horscmanship and his general
physical makeup
Bes!dcs qualifying mentally and
physically. the applicant is required 10
satisfy the War Department that no
is morally iittcd 10 represent the Cnitcd
states OF America as IAN officer and
gentleman" Certificates or testi
moniais as 10 character from citizens
or his home town arc Forwarded to the
department along with his cXamina-
ton papers.
The method Of selecting officers from
among the successful competitors I'm
the examination Is complex. but in gen
cral the men who presented the hest
all-around qualifications are given the
preference. Preference is also given
however TO honor graduates OF certain
colleges classed as distinguished" and
TO graduates OF accredited military
schools which have on their facuItics
officers detailed from the regular army.
This system is applied to the selec-
ton OF officers for the regular army
from men in civilian life. While II
would doubtless be modified and rcnd-
crcd In some respects less rigid in tho
event OF IL sudden call for Z, large n,n
Der of officers of volunteers the uro
cedure would naturally be along tho
same lines. 1t is obviously conducive
to high standard among the. men
who hold commissions.