Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-11-02
GETTING AHEAD IN THE ARMY.

since rcgimcntal and company off
GERS have full responsibility for the ef-
icioncy Of their teams they are given
corresponding authority in promoting
men from the ranks To positions rs
.uOncOmmiSSiUucd officers. For all prac-
ticai purposes their judgment rs 10 the
men under them is regarded aS final.
s.ne point aS to which you may feel
: assured is the earnest desire of every
officer To give promotion to the men
who are best qUalifcd-in other words.
to select the men who have cultivated
he so!dierIy qualities and in addition
show capacity for further development
md for leadership. The officers are
fuliy as much Interested in promoting
men on the basis of merit as any of
The men are Interested in securing pro-
JnOUdn For the officers own burdens
are lightcned and their success is in
'reaSed almost in direct proportion TO
their ability ~ promote the right men.
The first rank above private is cor
pOral. The corporal should be II real
leader. He is expected To be more IA
Iniiiar with the various manuals and
= regulations and with the duties of the
men in the squad than are the men
themselves. He is expected also To use
his Influence strongly toward building
up soldicrly qualities among these
men
F., Among the qualifications which all
iNgi ,Iin oh
. SeSs the following have been selected
, 10y one military writer as being of the
, first Importance:
!. Proficiency as guides in cloSe-order
drills, and particularly as column lead
Z trs In route marching.
= z. Aggressive leadership. especially
I'm drilling, marching and fighting.
3. Ability to act as instructors.
4. Thorough knowledge of the ele-
ments of field service.
3. Thorough knowledge of Interior
. guard duty.
q. Skill In range finding and in esti-
mating distances so as to assist men in
firing accurately.
z. Proficiency in leading patrols.
. s. Ability to prepare written mes
Sagcs that are clear, complete and con
else.
0. Ability to sketch and read maps.
This list will suggest some of the
tines along which you should work.
whenever you have the chance. Many
! If the nOncommissioncd officers in the
National army will be chosen, not only
because of the knowledge or skill they
p already possess, but also because they
show capacity for further development
. and for leadership.
This question of winning promotion
all comes back to the question of max
ing Yourself thorough soldier, of
demonstrating that you possess loyal
~, disciplined obedience, physical fit
ness, intelligence. cleanliness. cheerful
ness, spirit. tenacity and self-reliance
the nine qualities Of soldier.
The National army must fit itself for
effective service at the front In the
shortest possible time. To accomplish
this result 1t must produce out of its
OVID ranks men who are fitted for pro-
motion first to places as noncommis-
stoned officers, either in the first con-
tingept or more probably in later con-
tingents.
This need is your opportunity. 1t Is
an opportunity not merely for personal
idvancement-which in time of war Is
"a small thing to work fOr-but more
than that. an opportunity to render to
your country the most effective service
VI which you are capable. Strive to
tit Yourself for the duties and RESPONSE
hiiities of leadership. Make yourself
count TO the utmost In the victorious
defense of American rights and prin-
ciples which the national army will
devote itself.