Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-18
OFFICERS BERTHS
OPEN TO RESERVES
Grade Of Second Lieutenant
Open to Young Men With
out Military Experience.
GOOD CHANCE FOR YOUTH

Washington, March 1.-THE grade
OF second lieutenant in the Othcers
Reserve corps OF the army has been
thrown open by Secretary Baker to
men without any military experience
whatever, provided they are physi-
cally and mentally adapted to milf
tary life. An urgent plea has been
sent out to men between Il and ~
years all over the country to send
in applications for commissions with
assurances that the army will sup
DIV. after enrolment, the military
training necessary TO fit them Tor
duty.
Under the national defense act, the
CORPS should be able to furnish offi-
GERS for force OF 100000 volunteers
in war time and also serve as a reser-
yoir from which additional officers
for the regular army could be drawn
at need. Less than 1000 men have
been given reserve commissions IN
~. line, despite the fact that the law
ha. been in operation for more than
.igiit months. Applications are COM
inR in slowly and army officers arc
using every means in their power to
attract young men to this service as
a patriotic duty.
There appears to be no lack OF men
desiring to serve in the Staff corps
reserve, such as the engineer corps,
the quartcrmasters' division and the
medical service. Enough commits
sions in these corps have been is
sued to provide the special arms for
million troops. II is fighting men
who are lacking, line officers who
may look for service at the front IN
time OF war. Army officers believe
the failure to fill up this reserve is
due only to lack Of information as to
the requirements, for it is the fight
ing lines that are attractive to young
men in war time.
Good Job Eventually.
Eventually the reserve officers
training. corps, composed OF units at
universities, schools and colleges, will
provide more than 5000 men year,
it is estimated, for reserve commits
sions. The first fruits Of this scheme
for educating reserve officers, how
ever, will not come until 1918 and
then not more than 5000, junior Off
GERS can be expected TO be turned into
the reserve. In all probability many
Of these will be required for regular
army commissions, reducing the re-
serve strength by that much.
The law prescribes that no man
shall be commissioned in the reserve
without having passed examination
The War department has realized that
lack OF previous military experience ol
any kind is probably preventing young
men past their college days from
making application. For that reason
every effort has been made to make
1t known throughout the country tina,
military experience is not required
Men will be commissioned who have
never worn a.uniform or faced drill
sergeant. The army will gladly un
dcrtake to- furnish those who art
otherwise suitable with the iiecessar,
professional training after they hav'
entered the service.
This applies, however, only to tn,
grade OF second lieutenant. First lieu
tenants, captains and majors mus
show previous military experience Il
earn their commissions. The heav,
responsibilities for the care OF troop
that goes with such grades necessi
tates this restriction.
Helped to Advance.
Applicants for second lieutenants
commissions are being assured tha
every opportunity will be given then
after enrolment in that grade to ad
vance themselves to higher rank.
The department has appealed I
young men, who care to offer thei
services TO apply without delay to tn
commander Of the military depart
meat in which they live for necessar
pspers and information Letter
should be addressed to the Command
ing General, Eastern Department
Governors Island, N. "; Central Ds
partment, Chicago, ILL.,; Southern d.
partment, San Antonio, Tex, or Wes,
ern Department. San Francisco. Ca
They will receive prompt attentio
and arrangements for the examinatio
Of an applicant will be made to su
his convenience as nearly as possibl
To those who receive commission
the summer training camps of III
army will be open and they will T,
ceivc travel allowances and pay th'
will more than offest any expense
which they may be put. Only a sin