Charlevoix county herald., 1917-02-16

Armory, and field training could be ar
ranged so that il would come during
the vacation period and not conflict
with school work.
AT any time during the entire period
man may be relieved of this training
by joining the regular army for an en-
listment of three years with the colors
and three in the reserve. All enlist
ments in the regular Army to be made
through Sgt. Instructors who receive
fee for doing so, thus doing away with
the present system of recruiting.
1t should be made absolutely neces-
sary for man to have first class dis
charge from the training corps in the
first reserve, showing proficiency in
the branch Of service assigned to, be-
fore he will be eligible to vote at any
election
AT the end of the third year training
corps will be assigned to a permanent
organization so that in case of moboliza-
tion, after the training corps period,
each company or other organization
will be fully prepared and ready to 60
forward without delay This system
would provide for the paper work as
now being done in the regular Army at
all time at home stations, so that all
would be familiar with it and could do
it without any further trouble on being
called out for service.
Instead OF training men in the train
ing corps give them a regular clothing
allowance sufficient to clothe them, and
a small amount during field camp for
personal purposes, and, during the
entire period, require the men to wear
their uniforms at all times at home sta.
tions, so that everyone may know that
these men are members of the training
corps, and are to be treated with re-
spect, and, at the same time, would
relieve men of the necessity of buying
civilian clothes. A clothing allowance
Of this kind would not amount to as
much as the amount now provided for
in the National Defense Act of June 8,
1916, which pays the men for Armory
training Inasmuch as this is a COM
pulsory proposition each one should be
treated alike so that the pay feature
would be equitable. Medical attention
could be given the men gratis during
their training corps term. The Federal
Government to provide portion of the
funds for building Armories in each
community, and the balance paid by
the local government.
SERVICE IN THE ARMY.
In order to train this large mass of
men we will have to cooperate with
the Army even more so than atpresent
In the first place a regular Army Of
$50, 900 men would be big enough for
the first line providing plenty Of re-
serves are in process Of training. This
army of $4,000 men would be recruited
through the Sgt. Instructors of each
National Guard Company, either from
men who like to soldier or from men
who are attracted to the service by the
special inducements as Sgt. Instructors
of each National Guard Company, and
also to compel every foreigner between
the age of eighteen and forty five to
serve at least one year in the regular
army before being eligible TO Citizen
ship Papers, paying especial attention
to the instruction of these men in
English, etc., so that when they come
out of the Army they will be better
fitted for citizenship. The enlistments
at large to be made through Sgt. In.
structors.
If the Army cannot be kept up to the
required strength by these methods,
select certain number Of men from
the National Guard each year after the
field training period. The standing
Army to consist of $50, 900 men in addi.
ton to the officers and non-commission-
ed officers required for National Guard
instruction, that is to say, all officers
and enlisted men used for instructing,
to be in addition to the number requir-
ed to properly officer all units. Make
il possible for especially well fitted and
qualified National Guard officers to
enter the Army list in grades other
than that Of End It., allowing period
of years for constructive work done In
civil life, emphasizing the fact that good
officers do not necessarily have to be
highly trained or technical men.
BE INSTRUCTED.
In the first place appoint a regular
army officer for each Battalion who will
be detailed for long period, to a GER.
tain community. He will then have an
opportunity to learn and teach all the
men in his community. Also one Of.
ficer to each regiment and higher unit
and officers Of specially trained tech.
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