The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-08-17
THE coRPoRAL's IMPORTANCE IN
EXTENDED ORDER.

We have seen that, as the squad Is
initiated into extended order the men
ton of the corporal becomes more fire.
quent. In the same degree, his impor-
lance increases. For, while corporal
commands squad in close order to
limited extent, he exercises more au-
thority and discretion when it is de-
ployed in a line of skirmishers. He
then has the responsibility for the con-
duct and safety of his men under vary
ing conditions and rules far less mi
nutely prescribed.
If the new soldier, in verdant igno-
rance, has been inclired to resent the
corporal and his exercise Of authority
heretofore. he will appreciate it dis
tinctly now. For, exactly as the rules
for extended order work are less cut
and dried than in close order, generally
speaking, the new soldier now feels the
need for encouragement and guidance.
The function of corporal is to encour-
age and instruct as well as command
his men.
The basis of the resentment which
! the new soldier may at first develop
against a corporal or a sergeant lies
/ in the fact that the noncommissioned
! officer, save for two or three stripes on
! the arm, shoulders his gun and plugs
/ along in the line just like a private.
The "rookie' therefore dislikes to be
"bossed around" as he would express
it. by man with whom he rubs ell
bows. AS soon as he finds himself
| in extended order, however. and loses
the sense of mutual support that comes
from standing shoulder to shoulder as
in close order, the new soldier becomes
exceedingly grateful for constant adj
monition, instruction and command
from the corporal. These act as prop
They do a vast amount toward filling
up the Is inches of vacancy to either
side of him.
When a squad is deployed on thu
firing line with a platoon or company
the corporal transmits to his mel
commands and signals from the officer
when necessary. Even when it is not
at all times he observes the conduct o
his squad and by talking in a cheer
full, encouraging manner-yerbal pat
, | on the back-abates the excitemen
) 1.-THE best troops" says the Drill Reg
lationS, "are those that submit longel
to fire control. Loss OF control is q
i evil which robs success OF its create
+ result. To avoid or delay such 10
should be the constant aim of all"
In everyday, unmilitary English, tn
means that the last troops to ''blo
up in a fight will win. Therefor
y never blow up. 1t is the corpora
job to see that the new soldier do
: not blow up. And the new soldit
!, after a skirmish exercise, ev
!, against blank cartridges. will find tn
he is extravagantly grateful for eve
word with which the corporal h
I helped to keep him firmly anchored
the ground.
The experience of citizen soldiers {
the Mexican border and, in more il
portant degree, in the new armies
, England. has shown that obedience
. the corporal and the sergeant, carrie
still a step further to obedience TO Il
; senior private, then 70 the next
length of service, rather than makii
men servile. has an effect quite Il
opposite. For each man thereby lear
automatically to command the ne
J man below him, and in battle,
! his noncommiSsioned officer or senio
I are put out of action, he assum
Z their authority without hitch.