Connecticut western news., 1917-04-05
DUTIES OF HOME GUARD
Full Explanation of Objects as Glves
 by Emergency Board

Guard:
 This board is in receipt of numerous inquiries as to the purpose and scope of the Home Guard and the extent of duty required by its members, and 1t has been deemed advisable to issue tho following statement in answer to these inquiries:
 The Home Guard Is a state organiza- tion, under state control ana authority, and subject to the orders of the gover- nor. It calls for duty only within the state. The two main purposes are home military training and defense. The organization of the Home Guard at this time affords an opportunity for system atic mobilization of the military re- sources of the state as disclosed by the recent military census, exclusive of the National Guard and the Naval Militia and those who can be held for enlist ment therein.
 This board will give every aid ana encouragement to the recruiting to wsr strength of the National Guard and Naval Militia and does not intend to have the Home Guard in any way act as deterrent to enlistment in the National Guard. a..
 In the event of call for volunteers any man in the Home Guard will re- ceive an honorable discharge whenevex he enlists in the volunteer forces. Unt1 such call comes, those who intend tp respond to the call and cannot enlist iR the National Guard, should avail them. selves of the military training which will be afforded by enlistment in the Home Guard.
 In response to many Inquiries re- ceived as to the nature and probable length of service, this board calls atten- tion to the fact that the Home Guard bill which was originally introduced in the legislature was to create permanens service in the event of the National Guard organization being sent out of the state. The recent mobilization of the National Guard on the Mexican border showed the need of making some provision for a Home Guard to take the place of the National Guard within the state.
 Enlistment in the Home Guard Is fox a period of two years. In the event of the passing of the present emergency and there being DO immediate need oa the services of the Home Guard, It's members will undoubtedly be relieved from active service, but held in reserve to await any further emergency dur ing their term of enlistment. During the time the Home Guard is held in reserve, 1t is not probable that drills will be more frequent than once . month. AS to the place of duty while in active service, all that the board can say is that while it is not probable that any of the Home Guard organizA- tions will be sent from it's home town or immediate vicinity, yet it is possible that emergencies will arise that will make it necessary to use them for duty in other parts of the state.
 This board does not contemplate tho establishment of any general training camp, intending to have the companies | instructed and drilled in their homo towns, under competent drill masters.
 As topay, the bill creating the Home ! Guard provides that when the Home Guard is called into service, the officers and men shall be paid for their | services but at no greater rate than that paid the National Guard while it is in active service. Their dependents may receive the separation allowances provided for in recent act concerning the militia ap- proved March 8, 1917. Unmarried men between the ages of J IS and 35 who are physically fit for service in the National Guard or the United States Army or Navy, should make application at the recuiting sta tions of such organization. All men between the ages of IS and 35 residents in towns or in adjacent towns in which a unit of the National Guard is maintained, are liable for service in the National Guard and should not seek enlistment in the Home Guard until the National Guard units, in which they should become members. are enlisted to the strength required by law.
 All men between ages of 17 and so resident in towDs in which a unit of the National Guard is not maintained or which is not adjacent to town in which a unit of the National Guard is maintained can enlist in the Home Guard.
 Details of temporary organizations have already been issued and full ina formation as to permanent organization will be sent out later. In the meantime recruiting officers with the information already at hand must use their own discretion and common sense in anwsering the numerous inquiries thas are made. If man wishes to be assured that he will never have to leave his business or home under any circum- stances he should not be enlisted.
 Recruiting officers will forward all enlistment blanks to the chief clerk of Military Emergency Board, Hartford. Conn.,, by registered mail, return "ro. -.--- A u .