Charlevoix county herald., 1917-02-16
Military
Efficiency
A Tentative Plan for Universal
Training.
BY 1t. Colonel Edw. G. Heckel,
33rd Michigan Infantry.

which wish to bring out is that while
there are many other plans being SUBJ
mitted, all of them have merit there
might be at least the kernel of an idea
in my plan, which, added to several
other kernels, might in the whole,
bring results. Another thing which we
must have constantly before us in order
to make any permanent success is, a
give and take proposition with the
regular Army, or in other words. CO.
operation to the fullest extent.
So far il seems to have been the pur-
pose in all our publicity for Universal
Training In the Army, to maze the
people OF the United States see that
there is but one solution to the problem
and that is to create large standing
army, making the larger mass conform
to the smaller part In other words,
make the Uaorganized Militia, which
consists of every abe-bodied citizen
between the ages OF eighteen and forty
five years (the large mass) submit itself
to compulsory service IN the army,
which consists OF the small mass. My
idea is to invert the process, making
the small nass (the Army conform
and regulate itself to the advantage and
benefit of the large mass (the Un-
organized Militia.
The whole system of Universal Train
ing in my estimation, is to equalize the
load. At pr esent the few who are in
the National Guard are sacrificing
everything in life for the advantage
and benefit Of the masses who are
neither willing to pay nor play. Uni
versal Training, as outlined in this
plan, would not eliminate anyone from
doing his share OF work in the Army or
Guard, so that while many would look
with favor upon the plan as long as it
takes care OF the situation aud does not
effect them in any way, they would be
satisfied, but if service is divided equal
ly, among each male citizen, there can
be no cause for complaint.
The plan in itself is simple enough
and perhaps scores of others have
thought of it before. All we read and
hear of is Universal Training In the
Army. My plan is to advocate Service
In the National Guard Instead. Compel
every boy, when he reaches his 18th
birthday, to enlist in the National Guard
regardless OF whether or not he is able
bodied or has some minor physical de-
feet. BY selecting just able bodied
citizens for such duty would discrimin-
ate against them, and many would use
this as an excuse to be classed as
physically unfit. Train young men for
some particular job in the service.
There are many branches which can be
filled by men or boys less than five
feet four inches, and who may have a
few minor phys cal defects which would
disqualify them for service in the in
fantry, cavalry, etc, yet who could be-
come members of the Quartermdster'
Corps, or in various capacities as clerks,
cooks, bake S, truck or mule drivers,
mechanics, etc., while an able-bodied
man could be relieved from that duty
and sent to the first line for active
service.
SERVICE II THE NATIONAL GUARD
All male citizens report TO the proper
officer just after the field training
period held each summer, in the year
nearest his 18th birthday, for a period
of nine years, the first three years in
the active training corps, the second
three years in the first reserve, and
the last three years in the second re-
serve. In structions in the training
corps could be held twice a week in the
Armory, with rifle practice and schools
in addition, then, in the first year,
three months be given over to intensive
field training, say during the months OF
June, July, and August. During the
second year, Armory training same as
first year and two months intensive
field training during July and August,
and, the third year, Armory training
with one month of field training, SO
that during the month OF August all the
troops could be mobolized for summer
maneuvers and training.
During the three years Of first re-
serve, the Armory training could be as
: needed or eliminated entirely, and two
weeks only given over to field training
with the rest Of the troops. Service In
: the second reserve would consist OF nc
training unless absolutely necessary.
OF course there would be some
people that would argue against this
: saying il would interfere with college
TIL. ~1.ll - -