Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-08-31
Letter From Camp Greenleaf.
Medical Officers Training Camp.

Medical Officers Training Camp.
Fl. OelethOrpe, Ca. Camp Greenleaf.
To THE EDITOR OF The SENTINEL -
The boys from Rockville who enter the
Federal service during the big war should
write to their local papers some of their
experiences.
1t is only when you are actually in the
service of the national army that you
begin to realize what gigantic problem
our Government has on its hands.
Most Of you are more or less familiar
with the intensive training carried on at
Fort Myer and Montgomery county has
been well represented there. but am not
sure that you know Of the intensive train
ing going on at Fort Oelethorpe. Ga.
Montgomery county at the present time
is represented in the training camp for
doctors. Or. as it is officially termed, "Medi-
cal Officers Training Camp. by DR.. Shock
icy, Of Kensington. and the writer. from
Rockville. DIR. White, of Poolesville, has
recently completed his course of training
and is assigned to one Of the sanitary
troops located nearby, also DR.. Cronch. OF
Chevy Chase. believe. is with one OF the
batteries Of artillery.
II might DO of interest to know what
intensive training the doctors are Obliged
to follow at this camp.
First call of buele is 5:45 A. NJ. We
get up, wash and dress. and at 8 A. NJ. are
lined up for sitting up exercise for full
twenty minutes. This takes the kinks out
of you and gets your blood in circulation.
At $50 A. NJ we are at our seats in the
mess hall at 7 we clean up our barracks
and company street; at 1880 we line up
and have two hours drill in the parade
grounds; at 9:25 we return to quarters
and have five minutes to change clothing,
rest and study; at $50 we line up and in
company formation march to the open
lecture grove Gin wet weather to Y. NJ. c.
A. Hal), and have two lectures Of one
hour each at 1l:30 we return to quarters
at IL noon we 60 to mess; at P. M. we
have a two-hour quiz on the lecture OF
previous day at 3l5 we have lectures
at Ais we take up the study Of French
| at $40 the first call for retreat sounds al
| Sis we are in battalion formation in
column OF platoons in front Of headquar-
tiers. and then pass in review before the
commandment Of the camp; at $50 we
have mess; at 1880 lecture; at 915 we
must be in quarters. and at $50 we are
4 in bed and lights out.
/ On Monday night we have little relaxa-
ion, generally boxing match, men from
the different troops Of cavalry or battalions
of artillery taking part. On Tuesday and
Friday nights special lectures by oficer'
who have seen service in France.
At this camp you will see men who have
been in practice from ten to twenty-five
years, and who are specialists, professors
etc. holding only first lieutenants com
mission, doing this work. and doing i
willingly. because they feel that it is thei
duty TO serve their Government and thei
flag.
We have some Of the biggest men Of the
country in training down here. Why arr
they in trainingi Because they desire 4
do efficient work. The average age Of thi
camp is al.
The army surgeon who goes on sctiv
duty without previous training will be a
unfit for his work as a first-year medica
student who would attempt to practic
medicine without completing his course
training
| feel sorry for the doctor who waits {
be drafted. L.