Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-15

are filled first from the graduating
class of the academy, and II they occur
after certain date they are held open
for the next years class. After the
military academy graduates, prefer
ence Is given to men who rise from the
ranks---enlisted men who have quail
fed for commissions by passing the
specified mental and physical exami-
nations. Should there be any vacan-
cies remaining after these two classes
have been drawn upon. they are filled
from the lists of civilian candidates
who have passed the proper examina-
lions. Such candidates, however, must
be between 21 and q years old, un.
married and citizens of the United
States. E#
The examination referred to, how
ever, Is of interest not only as 1t bears
on the requirements for a commission
in the regular army, but also because
Of the light 1t sheds on the character
of the examination that applicants for
the rank of commissioned officers IN
the volunteers are required to pass. 1t
shows that the government sets high
standard for the men who command
its troops, mentally, morally and phys
ically. .l ......~ '~
An appointment as second lieuten-
ant is awarded annually to one honor
graduate of each of several institu-
tons designated as distinguished col
leges" provided that any vacancies
exist after the appointment of West
Point graduates and enlisted men who
have passed their examinations. Such
graduates are not required to take any
mental examination.
Other candidates are given search
ing mental examination, the general
character OF which seems to presup-
pose that the applicant has had at
least thorough high school train
ing, and that he stands a better chance
of winning his appointment If he has
had some college work, for with GER
tain restrictions the selection OF Of
f'cers from among the successful can
didates is based upon their relative
standing in the examination.
The examination includes such sub
iects as American history and consti-
tuition. geography, and various
branches of fairly advanced mathe-
MATES Other subjects covered are
elementary surveying-in which the
oretical knowledge is sufficient for the
purposes Of the examinations: general
history. and one modern language,
either elementary French, German or
Spanish. The knowledge Of all these
subjects required is more or less ele-
mentary: but in addition, the candi-
date Is expected to show a special pro-
ficiency in English or in one modern
language: or in mathematics. or mill
tarv engineering or surveying.
The mental examination ia only one
side IF the matter A rigid physical
examination is also specified, and any
candidate who fails to pass it Is re-
iected by the medical examiners,
though he Is at liberty to take his men,
tai examination anyway, on the chance
that his physical defect. If compare
tive1v slight, may not finally be re-
garded as disqualifying. The appli-
cant is also classified on his qualifica.
tiors for mounted service. according
t" his Workmanship and his general
physical makeup. ~
Besides qualifying mentally and
physically. the applicant is required
to satisfy the war deDartment that he
is morally fitted to represent the Unit
ed States Of America as IAN officer and
gentleman" Certificates or testi-
rronia,s as to character from citizens
Of his home town are forwarded to the
department along with his examina-
ton papers. ..... ~.
The method Of selecting officers
from among the successful competi-
tors in the examination is complex. but
in general the men who presented the
best all-around qualifications are Civ
en- the preference. Preference Is also
given however, = honor graduates of
certain colleges classed as "distin-
guished" and to graduates Of accred-
tied military schools which /have on
their faculties 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 it
would doubtless, be modified and rem.
dered in some respects less rigid in
the event of sudden call for large
number of officers Of volunteers, the
procedure. would naturally be along
the same lines. It is obviously con-
ducive to a high standard among the
men who hold commissions.