The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1916-03-25
MILITARY TRAINING IN
NEVADA HIGH SCHOOLS
Principals Generally Indicate
Their Approval of Such
Plan in Letters To State
Superintendent

also conceded. But how greatly is
this country unprepared, and how
may we secure adequate prepared
ness are questions on which there are
wide differences of opinion.
One of the plans suggested for the
solution of the question of securing
preparedness to some extent, at least,
is that of having military training in
the High Schools.
There are 600, 900 boys in the High
| Schools of the United States. and
one can easily see that the military
training of these would mean a great
deal for preparedness. Wyoming is
giving her High School boys military
training with great success accord
ing to a recent article in Every
body's Magazine" and the work has
received the commentator of such
military leaders as General Leonard
Wood.
In order to get the opinions of the
Nevada school Principals on the ques-
ton, State superintendent of Schools
John E. Bray, addressed a letter to
each of them on the subject. The
replies from these school men pub
lished in the March School Journal
are uniformly favorable to military
training in the High Schools. The
details of such a plan, however,
would have to be worked out after
a thorough consideration of condi-
tons.
The letter of Principal Charles
Priest. quoted briefly in a recent is
sue of the Reno Gazette, follows be-
low in full:
Eureka, New, Feb. %, 1916.
Shall we have military training in
| the high schools of Nevada?
Is such training advisable and
feasible?
To the general proposition would
say yes;-with this qualification, that
such be entirely voluntary on the
part of the pupils.
believe that such training, PER Sc,
is advisable and desirable. There
are a number of beneficent results
to be derived from military training
by boys of high school age. Physic-
ally it would tend to develop strong
and healthful bodies. just as all Wig.
orous and systematic outdoor exer-
else so tends. Spiritually such train
ing would tend to quicken and de-
velop the mental faculties. Besides
it would teach obedience to superb
ois, consideration for ones comrades
self-restraint, and love for ones
country; and develop initiative anC
leadership.
Also, this form of activity would
offer an avenue for the utilization OF
much surplus energy in many boys
which, if not now being directed to.
ward evil ends, is, at least, not count
ing for positive good. Such training
too. would lessen truancy and other
wise increase the high school attend.
ance.
Since we are a nation that depends
upon the voluntary service of our
~citizenry in carrying on u warfare,
is it not well to direct and train the
|, impulses and emotions of our youth
in this formative period towards mill
tary service? Herein, | believe. lies
a value greater than that attaching
to either body or mind development;
viz, the intelligent training of the
emotions and impulses for proper re-
Spouse upon u country's call for
service.
The advisability of military train.
ing in the Nevada High Schools and
the feasibility of such. is dependent
largely on local conditions. In fact,
it may be said that the ACCESSIBILITY
of such training in the several high
schools of the State depends upon its
feasibility.
Naturally, where the number OF
boys in the school is so small that not
even a working squad can be formed.