The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-09-14
ASSIGNMENTS OF
THOSE IN DRAFT
Army Officers to Make Best
Possible Use Of Men.
TO ORGANIZE SPECIAL UNITS

III Uk6AnIH SPtCIAl UMI|S
will b Based on Civilian Training Of
Soldiers -Prssumably First tnere.
ments to Reach Camps Will b Or.
oanizsd a. Infantry companiss-De.
seriptivs Lists Of All Drafted Men -
b Made Out.
Army officers who will organize tho
national army divisions face the task
of making the best possible use Of the
men selected for military duty by the
local boards. They will come from all
walks and conditions Of life. Among
them will be highly trained individuals,
specialists in particular lines and eff
cient mechanics. 1t is the intention
Of the war department to get the max
imum advantage for the nation out Of
each mans special qualifications, and
his previous occupation will be careful
ly considered In assigning him to duty.
To accomplish this, it was pointed
out, descriptive lists Of all drafted men
will be made out as soon as they reach
the training environments. They will
contain an abstract Of the life history
of the soldier, showing what occupa-
tons he has been engaged in. From
these preliminary classification can
DO made, subject always to the 'pri-
mary necessity Of organizing q great
body of infantry for duty in the
trenches.
Qualification For Assignments.
During the months Of training at the
environments it will be possible for com.
pany commanders to form estimates Of
the character and special qualifications
of their men. A process of shifting and
transfer undoubtedly will ensue as In
dividuals are sorted out. One man will
be assigned to transport trains because
of bis special knowledge Of horses or
motor trucks, another to hospital work
because of his previous training in that
kne Of work, another to aviation be-
cause he has worked with gas engines,
still another to the artillery because he
shows special ability in that line or his
civil occupation has trained his sight
and hands. There is hardly civil
trade or occupation that has not its
counterpart in the army, from clerk to
clergyman, and no effort will be spared
to get the right man in the right place
In the new forces.
Already officials are being besieged
with requests from men already held
for military duty for assignment to
particular arms of the service. Little
can be done in that regard in advance
Of actual mobilization of the forces,
but it is hoped that the wishes of many
of the men can be met at the camps.
Presumably the first increments to
reach camp will be organized as in
fantry companies. That was the prac-
tice followed in the officers training
camps which have just completed one
course. The basis of all military evo-
buttons is the school Of the soldier. and
that must be taught first. In addition,
It makes possible hardening process
which will make the men physically
able to meet the strain Of the strenuous
days to come.
To Organize Special Units.
After some weeks of elementary
drill the organization Of signal engi-
neer, artillery and other special units
will commence. The process of selec-
ton by special qualifications will be ap-
piled to the greatest possible extent.
At the same time the officers will be-
gin to get line on men who are likely
for future commissions, and
they. will be observed carefully with a
view to promotion later.
Around the war department evil
dences of the great army that is in the
making are beginning to show Nu-
merous officers of the regular army al
ready have been given war time COM
missions in the national army. Some
have gone up one grade in the process.
some two. They are to be the staff Off
GERS of the new divisions, the inner cir
Gle of the training machinery. At the
same time, officers just graduated from
the training camps are being assigned
to regiments Of the new army The
whole process of building UP the COM
missioned personnel will be we'll under
way by the time the first 80 per cent of
the drafted forces starts for camp.