The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-06

near my post, and to allow no one to
pass without proper authority.
Even though a sentinel be only a pri-
vate soldier, he is in a position OF real
dignity and authority. He represents
the commanding officer He must b.
respected and the orders he gives as a
sentinel must be strictly obeyed, not
only by other soldiers but by officers,
whatever their rank.
During the night the sentinel will
challenge any person or party who
comes near his post, calling out sharp
ly Halt. Who is there" The per.
son challenged, or one OF the party il
there arc several persons, may be per
mtted to approach for the purpose Of
giving the countersign or of being rec
ogniled, In case OF doubt il is a SEN
tners duty to prevent anyone from
passing him and to cali the corporal OF
the guard "A sentinel will never al
low himself to be surprised nor per
NIT two parties to advance on him al
the same time"
Duties Of ordsrlies.
Members OF the guard may be as
signed TO duty as orderlies to the COM
manding officer or TO other officers.
For these positions the soldiers will
be chosen who are most correct in the
performance OF duty and in military
bearing, neatest in person and clothing
and whose arms and accouterments are
in the best condition" 1t is decidedly
a compliment to any soldier to be des-
ignatcd to serve as an orderly.
An orderly usually accompanies the
officer wherever he goes assists or
serves him IN accordance with drec
tons, carries messages for him and the
like.
Exterior guard duty consists OF keep
, ing watch at a distance from the main
body OF troops When a camp is with
IN possible striking distance from the
enemy. il is necessary to place small
parties OF men at points where they
may observe an approaching enemy,
give the alarm and if possible check
or stop his advance These parties are
known as outposts.
When a large body OF troops is on
the march, advance, rear and flank
guards keep watch on the surrounding
country. In general. their duties are
similar to those Of outposts
Scouting.
One OF the most responsible duties ,c
which a soldier may he assigned il
patrolling or scouting An infantry pa
troll usually consists OF from three L
sixteen men. 1t is sent out for tn
purpose OF obtaining information as I,
the enemy, his numbers, and the natur
OF the country over which the patro
travels. II is not usually intended tha
the patrol should fight since its prim,
purpose is TO obtain and bring back in
formation. However, 1t may be forced
to fight IT discovered, in order to pro
'tect the escape OF at least one OF il,
members with report OF the informa
ton secured.
Every soldier should be able to fint
his way IN a strange country; shoul
know how to use a compass; shoulC
know how to locatc the north star
should be able to travel across country
keeping a given direction, both by da,
and by night, and by observing land
marks he should be able to return L
the starting point whether over tn,
same route or by more circuitous one
This can easily he learned by a litl
practice 1t adds great deal to tn
value OF soldier il he knows how I,
use a map to find his way, n he know
how to make rough sketch OF tn
country, he has added TO his value a
a soldier very much indedd." (Manua
Tor Noncommissioned Officers an,
PrivateS, page 1917
or course these remarks on guar,
duty can give YOU only general ide
OF It's nature and OF your own respon
sibllity But enough has been said L
indicate that any man has much (,
learn before he can be called a frs
class soldier You viii find YOU
months Of training slipping by rapid,
especially as you become more an
more interested in mastering the vare
phases of your new occupation