Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-06-02
MILITARY TERMS
IN GENERAL USE

OF having troops In actual pnyslcal
contact in the European battle front,
an Interpretation of the military terms
In general use will be an aid to the
reader. The following are among
those in constant use:
A corps is two or more divisions.
commanded by q major general
A division is composed OF two or
more brigades. also commanded by a
major general.
A brigade, commanded by a briga-
der general, is composed OF two or
more regiments and independent com.
panies or battalions.
A regiment of infantry consists Of
twelve Jpe companies ard three ad
dltIonal :ompanics. 1t is commanded
by a colonel. with the following ad-
ditional officers: One lieutenant col
onel. three majors, fifteen captains as
company commanders. three Of them
also Deing members Of the colUrers
stan as adjutant, quartermaster and
commissary; two lieutenants to each
each OF the three majors STAFF.
A battilion Is made up OF four COM
panies and is commanded by ma
jOr.
A company Of infcntry consists Of
about $50 men, divided into two pla-
toons; platoons are divided into
squads. A platoon is commanded by
a lieutenant-a commissioned officer;
two or more squads are commanded
by sergeant; squad is commanded
by corporal and comprises seven
men besides the corporal.
A company of cavalry is called
called squadron.
A company of artillery is called a
battery. II Is divided into sections
and there may be different numbers
of guns. according to the kind OF ar
tilleTy. ~
Three batteries Of artillery make a
battalion.
The word Company, Troop" or
Battery" should not be used before
the letter as Company b." 1t should
be the same as to say street Jack
Bon." The letter comes first, just as
the mineral comes before the word
regiment: Second regiment" Not
regiment second.
Troops are either "federals" Greg
ular) or national guard. Every male
citizen OF the United States between
the age of IS and As is a member o.
the militia. Never use the word wher
referring to organized bodies o
troops.
There are so such things as mill
tia officials" or, "army officials" II
military parlance. They are nationa
guard and army officers.
A skirmish, engagement, brush
fight or encounter is not battle.
A battle is an engagement for tn
possession OF a certain point and
general in its character. Large bome
of troops are engeged-mofv man
brigade. Otherwise the fight Is a
engagement, a skirmish or an ell
counter
Never say Captain Jones and hi
soldiers OF Company A." Say Is.
Company, commanded by CAPITAL
Jones'" did so and so.
Any irregular body of troops les
than company, or troops, is called
detachment, unless 1t is platoon {
squad or a section of artillery. Nevt
says 'Jieutenant Jones and numb'
OF men" from such and such an o
sanization. Say: "a detachmeI
from A Company, commanded
Lieut.. Jones'"
Ammunition Is spoken OF in tern
OF rounds. Fifty rounds" meal
flfty cartridges--flfty shots.
Never say muskets. There are n
any. Artillerymen carry pistols al
not revoIvers.
Troops generally move in column
The usual column Is for men abrea
two ranks comprising a squad, wit
the corporal as the man on the LEI
In the rear rank.) They go into u
firing line in extended order.
sometimes referred to as skirmi'
line Troops are sent into battle
sngagement as the firing line, u
support and the reserve. The tactic
unit line OF battle or engagement
the battalion.
A picket consists Of several men.
generally a squad, One OF picket
q sentinel or sentry. In front al
on tho TANKS of ell troops In CAM
re outposts-- pickets. All troops d
ing guard duty, picket duty, outpo
duty. etc, arc commanded by "Tl
cfylccrs OF the day." 80 designated Il
a period OF twenty.four hours as al
the troops on guard duty.
Troops carry "ponchos'--rubb'
blankets. Not rain coats or raj
capea. Mounted troops and driver
arc equipped with "slickers,"
A hayonet IL kept "a a seabbard.
A ride or cnrbiBe 10 loaded With
clip.
Fatigue duty refers TO work 20 b
done about n 1amu