The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-10-26
HOME READING COURSE
for CITIZEN SOLDIERS
Issued by the War Department and All
Rights to Reprint Reserved
DISCIPLINE, AND RESPECT FOR
THE COLORS.

their superfOrs." (Army Regulations,
paragraph ~
Discipline Is not merely an obligation
imposed upon you; It Is a protection to
you. Your superiors, from the COM
much bound to respect the regulations
of the army as you are; this includes
respect for the rights Of every soldier.
Discipline Is the necessary rule Of
life In the army and is not In the least
inconsistent with your own pride and
self-respect as citizen and soldier.
The person whom you obey may be
an officer, noncOmmissioned officer,
or even another private who has been
given authority to command you.
Whether you like him or not "you must
respect his position and authority, and
reflect honor and credit on yourself
and your profession by yielding to all
superiors that complete and unhesitat-
ing obedience which Is the pleasure as
well as the duty of every true soldier"
(Manual of NoncOmmissioned Officers
and Privates, paragraph p
Remember also that there are GER
tain restrictions upon the relations of
officers and men which are necessary
part of army discipline. An officer, even
though in private life he may be your
warm friend and associate, is expected
not to mingle with you or other men in
the ranks on terms of familiarity. This
is rule that is often far from agree
able to the officer; but he has no more
power to change it than you have. The
reason Is clear. An officer cannot
mingle with the men under him on ia
miliar terms without becoming better
acquainted and more friendly with
some than with others. He Immediate
ly lays himself open to the suspicion
of favoritism-a suspicion which tends
strongly to undermine respect and au-
thority.
The discipline of the army is just
and impersonal. You will be treated
with fairness. Your rights will be re-
spected. On your part you must re-
spect the rights and authority con-
ferred upon others.
The American flag carried by regi-
ment is known as the "colors." 1t Is
the symbol of the natio" and is treated
always with the deepest respect. An
other flag is carried which is the SYM
Dol of the regiment and is known as
the ''regimental colors." 1t Is protect
ed with II devotion second only to that
felt for the national flag itself.
Thousands of brave men in previous
wars have given up their lives to save
the colOrs of their country and their
regiment from the enemy's hands. AS
war Is now conducted, 1t Is no longer
practicable, as a rule, to carry them
into battle and fight under their folds.
But they remain the chief visible signs
OF the objects for which every soldier
Is willing to sacrifice himself. 1t Is no
wonder that the colors are priced and
guarded with devoted care.
Ordinarily the colors when not In
use are kept In the Office Of the colonel
or In front Of his tent. During the
day when the weather permits they are
displayed unfurled. At night and dur
ing rniny weather they are "cased,"
which means that they are furled and
protected by an oiicloth covering.
Officers and men passing an uncased
color always honor 1t by saluting. The
manner Of salute IL the same as that
previously described. The same rules
OF respect are observed BY men not In
formation when the uncased colors are
carried by.
The colors are escorted In parades or
on the march In campaigns by 4 color
guard, consisting OF two sergeants who
are the color bearers and two. expert
enced privates selected by the colonel.
The regimental color Is always on the
left Of the national color.
Similar rules of respect apply when
ever '"The Star-Spangled Banner" is
played. officers and enlisted men not
I'm formation stand ut attention, facing
toward the music Except at retreat"
when they face toward the flag). They
salute ut the first note of the anthem,
retaining the position Of salute until
the last note.
Every citizen Of the United States,
whether civilian or a soldier, should
give expression Of his loyalty and devo-
ton to his country by showing proper
marks of respect for the colors and
for the national anthem. When I'm
civilian clothes, wearing hat or cap,
the correct thing to do is to remove 1t
and hold II In the right hand bppo-
site the left shoulder while passing an
uncased color or during the playing of
the national anthem. If uncovered,
stand at attention.
The common habit of rising slowly,
standing In slouching attitude and
sometimes even carrying on CONVERSE
tion, when the national anthem Is
played, is IN indication Of gross ig-
norance or Ill breeding. On the other
hand, the man who stands silent and at
attention Is not only showing proper
respect and setting an example which
will have Its effect on others, but is
also cultivating In himself the feelings
of pride and Of patriotism which should
a II "a A.