The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-29
War Departments Lessons For
Men Of The National Army
LESSON NO. 8.
YOUR EQUIPMENT AND ARMS.

(Issued by the War Department and
all rights to reprint reserved)
This course of thirty lessons is
offered to the men selected for SER
vice in the national army as a prac-
teal help in getting started in the
right way. It is informal in tone and
does not attempt to give binding
rules and directions. These are con-
tanned IN. the various manuals and
regulations of the United States
army, to which this course is mere
ly Introductory.
breeding Lessons: /. Your Post Of
Honor. 2. Making Good as a Sold
Ter. 3. Nine Qualities of a Soldier.
4. Getting Ready for Camp. 5.
First Days in Camp. 6. Cleanliness
in Camp. Z. Your Health. g..
Marching and Care of Feet.)
Each soldier in modern army
carries with him sufficient food,
clothing, shelter, fighting arms and
ammunition to take care of himself
for q short period in case he should
be separated from his company. The
total weight of his load, in addition
to the clothes he wears, is so to 20
pounds. The number of articles is
surprisingly large. They are 30 de-
vised, however, that by ingenious
methods of packing and adjusting
they can all be carried with the least
possible effort.
You are personally responsible for
all the arms. clothing and supplies
issued to you. The trained soldier
keeps track Of them, He knows i'm
mediately at any time where every
one of his belongings is to be found.
You are required to keep them in
good condition. In case you need
other articles. they may be issued
to you; but their value in that case
will be deducted from your next pay.
You will receive on enlistment an
ample supply of clothing, including
not only your uniform, but extra
shoes, shirts, underclothes and socks
You may not be able always to keep
your clothing spotlessly clean. But
When it becomes dirty or spotted
take the first opportunity to clean it
thoroughly.
Your shoes must be cleaned and
polished frequently. Wet shoes
should be carefully dried. Army men
frequently dry their shoes during the
night by taking a few handfuls of
dry. clean pebbles, heating them in
a meat can or kettle until they are
very hot, and then placing them in
the shoes. Sol-long as the pebbles
are hot move them about once in a
while by shaking the shoes. Take
care not to heat the pebbles so hot
that the shoes will be scorched.
In general, see to 1t that all your
clothing is as neat and clean as pos
sible at all times. Mend rips and
will add to your comfort as well as
appearance.
Wear your hat straight. Don't
affect the smart alecl'' style of
fitting the hat. Keep all buttons
fastened. Have your trousers and
Iesgings properly laced. Keep your
self clean shaved. Garry yourself
like a soldier.
Bear in mind that there is a
tendency in camp life for men to
become careless and untidy. You
must use every means to counteract
this tendency. For this purpose the
customs and regulations Of the army
emphasize the necessity for personal
neatness and cleanliness. The good
soldier keeps close watch on him.
self
Besides his extra clothing a soldier
carries a blanket, rubber poncho, a
canteen, a mess kit, including meat
can, knife, fork and spoon, a cup,
toilet articles, first aid package
and some minor belongings.
One of the most useful pieces Is
one-half of a shelter tent, with rope
and pins. The shelter tent is said to
be French invention which was in
troduced into the American army
during the Civil war. In the army
1T. is often called a dog tent" evid-
emily because of it's shape and small
size. Two men can combine their
halves and set up shelter tent in q
few minutes. While it can not be
described as roomy. it is just what