The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-10-04
THE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY.

! THE HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
In the mind of the average individ-
ual there exists but vague knowledge
or conception of the Importance, COM
position and duties of Headquarters
company of a regiment. This knOWl-
edge, obtained, sometimes through un-
reliable. and unauth0rative sources
tends, in some instances to belittle or
exaggerate, in the mind of the layman,
the Importance of this organization.
A Headquarters company is com
posed of So members each of whom
has his special duties to perform and
unlike the average infantry company
, is divided into three distinct sections,
as follows: - ss
First, the non-commissioned STAN,
composed OF a regimental sergeant ma
jor, the ranking noncommissioned Of
ficer of a regiment, three battalion
| sergeants major, two color sergeants.
and sergeant bugler. The personnel
of this section is composed of men
skilled in the routine of general Office
work, stenogra piers, accountants and
clerks whose chief duties are the
! handling Of all administrative work of
the regiment. -" The regimental-ser-
geant major is placed in charge of all
work in the Office in connection with
the regiment and his duties are to sup
same. The battalion sergeant major
act in like capacity when on de-
tached service with their respective
battalions and when the regiment is
consolidated they assist with the work
in the office. In addition to their cler-
ical duties the sergeant major in field
service act as aides to the major COM
manding the battalion and assist the
4adihtants~ef theiryEespective3 battal-
ions in the enforcement Of all orders
and the duties of these men are diff
! cult and most important they being i'm
mediately on the front line in actual
campaign. The sergeant major also
participate in all ceremonies and as
slst the adiutant at guard mount
T These men must have thorough
knowledge of all orders and the intri-
cacles OF both army and commercial
. administrative work in order to- prop
erly conduct the working Of an en-
tire regiment The color sergeant. in
addition to their clerical work in the
office, participate in all ceremonies
and are the bearers Of the standards
both national and regimental The
sergeant bugler acts as mouth piece
OF the reglmental commander, sound
ing al orders for him in the field and
in addition to this has charge Of all
company buglers, must be skilled in
the art of signalling and map reading.
The second section is composed of
the mounted orderlies and the non
commissioned officers in charge. The
chief duty of this section is the inn
portant task of carrying all messages.
verbal and written, in the field. sig-
mailing, scouting, map drawing and
reading and thorough knowledge of
the care of horses. This section il
composed of men who act as eyes for
regiment and are the advance guard
OF a command and must be possessed
OF qualifications which will enable
tnsm to properly report by means of
messages, verbal and written signals
and maps, the exact location of tho
enemy and everything ct inlnortanca.
wnlcn Will be of use to the regimental,
commander in the issuance Of orders,
Tor the movements of a regiment
AGAINST the enemy This section is
mounted and are armed with rifles. As
cailDre Colts automatics and eyery.s
Inlng necessary to render the proper
reports at the proper time.
me tnlrd section is composed Of the
pano proper, whose duties. in addi-
tion 70 playing for all ceremonies and
special occasions and their concart
WOrk, assist the hospital unit N the
ueld and must have thorough know,-
eoge OF the administration Of 'tirst Aid
ano iltter work being placed. in action J
On the front line where this work "a
oo1a necessary and important
me commanding officer az ihe
tn ~ company is the regimen.
"a ai auJutant with rank of captain. VIM
Is entrusted with the issuance ~ az
oroers Tor the administrator and
movements of regiment. >1
Onder the provisions Of an not ;.
oongress OF June 8, 1916. emhodiaS I,
ouiietln issued for the reorpa n;.ot,a,,
VI al infantry units the a,1thor;.ed
Is 90 on fn7,o OF headquarters company
Cd, roa;. ows: One captain, (mount-
~ leglmental adjutant; one regimen.
batta Ilseant major; (mounted); three
one sret sergeants major, (mounted):
color - s ~ sergeant (drum major); two
one s, nergeants; one mess sergeant:
o onen supply sergeant; one stable scr.
5 6an., one sergeant; two cooks: one
sis i sesnoer; one band leader; one as.
s h,sn band leader; one serpaant>
oosa; two band sergeants: four i hand
fonr porals; two musicians, first class.
m r musicians, second class; thirteen
musicians ras third class; four nr;rata sn
1a te ciass, (mounted); and twelve nri, I.
cards. neraVed calling.