Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-03
MEANING OF TERMS
EMPLOYED BY ARMY
Here's Chance to Brush Up on
Language Of the Men
in Khaki.

e.ON ONSASS VIZ
Language of the Men
in Khaki.
With the United States on the eve
bf having troops in actual physical con-
tact in the European battle front, an
Interpretation Of the military terms in
general use will be an aid to the gen
those in constant use:
A corps Is W. or more divisions,
commanded by a major general.
A division is composed Of two or
more brigades. also commanded by q
major general
general, Is composed OF two OF more
! regiments and Independent companies
or battalions.
A regiment of infantry consists of IL
line companies and three additional
companies. 1t is commanded by a col
onel, with the following additional off,
GERS: One lieutenant colonel, three
majors. Is captains as company COM
handlers, three Of them also being
members Of the %colonel's staff as adju-
tant, q-uartermaSter and commissary
two ~lieutenants to each company, one
lieutenant acting on each of the three
majors staff.
~ O0Itd4Ou AZ u1dOo up Oh 1OUF CON-.
pantes n Is commanded by q major.
A company of infantry consists Of
about $50 men, divided into two plat
oons; platoons are divided into
squads. A platoon is commanded by
a lieutenant-a commissioned officer;
two or more squads are commanded by
a sergeant; q squad is commanded by a
sides the corporal.
A company OF cavalry is called a
troop and a battalion Of cavalry is
called a squadron.
A company Of artillery Is called a
battery. 1t Is divided. % sections and
guns, according to the kind Of artil-
lery:
battalion.
The word company" troop" or
Battery should not be used before
the letter rs Company B." 1t would
be the same as to say street Jackson"
numeral comes before the word reEt-
ment: Second regiment" Not Regi-
ment Second.
Troops are either "federals' (regular)
or national guard. Every male citizen
of he United States between the age
of 18 and as Is a member of the mill
tia. Never use the word when refer
ring to organized bodies of troops.
There are no such things as mill
tary officials" or "army officials in
military p%arlance. They are national
guard and army officers.
A skirmish, engagement, brush, fight
or encounter is not a battle.
A battle is an engagement for the
possession OF a certain point and is
general in it's character. Large bodies
of troops are engaged-more than a
brigade. Otherwise the fight is an en-
gagement, a skirmtsh, or an encounter.
Never say Captain Jones and his
soldiers of Company A." Say "a COM
pany, commanded by Captain JONES'
did so and so. ~~Js
Any irregular body Of troops less
than a company, or troops, is called a
detachment, unless it is a platoon or
squad or a section of artillery. Never
say "Lieutenant Jones and a number
Of men" from such and such an organ
~ization. Say: "a detachment from A
company, commanded by Lieutenant
IJones."
Ammunition is spoken of in terms OF
rounds. Fifty rounds" cal so cart
ridges-50 shots.
Never say muskets. There are not
any. Artillerymen carry pistols and
not revolvers.
Troops generally move in columns
(The usual column is four men abreast
two ranks comprising a squad, with
the corporal as the man on the left IN
the rear rank.) They go into the firing
line in extended order"-sometimes
referred to as a skirmish line. Troops
are sent into battle or engagement as
the firing line. the support and the re-
serve. The tactical unit in line of bat
tie or engagement is the battalion.
A picket consists Of several men
generally a squad. One Of the picket
is a sentinel or sentry. In front and
on the flanks Of all troops in camp are
outposts-pickets. All troops doing
guard duty, picket duty, outpost duty
ETC., are commanded by 1.-The officers
of the day." SO designated for a period
Of "a hours az are the troops on guard
duty.
Troops carry "ponchos"-rubbe,
blankets. Not raincoats or rain capes
Mounted troops and drivers are
equipped with "slickers."
A bayonet is kept in q scabbard.
A rifle or carbine Is loaded with a
clip.
Fatigue duty refers to work to be
done about a camp.
A camp is "policed" when it is
cleaned up-rid Of rubbish and the like
A cavalryman is called a trooper"
A recruit is not a rookie" unless you
want to use slang. The phrase new
recruit Is redundant.
Troops are mustered" into the serv-
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