The daily Alaskan., 1917-09-18
Daily Points For
 Citizen Soldiers
(Issued by the War Department And all rights to reprint
 ReserVed).
GETTING AHEAD IN THE ARMY

since reSl1nenta1 ana COmpdn Ol- ficers have full responsibility for the efficiency of their teams they are given corresponding authority in promoting men from the ranks to positions as noncommissioned Vffic- CTS. For all practical purposes thei judgment as to the men under them is regarded as final.
 One point as to which you may feel assured is the earnest desire of every offer to give promotion 10 men who are best qualified in other words, to select the men who have cultivated the soldierly qualities and in addition show ca .pacity for further development and for leadership. The officers are fully as much interested in promOt- ing men on the basis of merit as any of the men are interested in securing promotion. For the offic- CTS own burdens are frightened and their success is increased almost in direct proportion to their ability tq promote the right men.
 Chances For Promotion
 The first rank above private IS corporal. The corporal should be 8 real leader. He is expected to be more familiar with the various man uals 4nd regulations and with tha duties of the men in the squad than are the men themselves. He is ex- pected also to use his influence strongly toward building up soldier ly qualities among these men.
 Among the qualifications which all noncommissioned officers should possess the following have been selected by one military writer as being of the first importance:
 ]. Proficiency as guides in close order drills, and particularly as column leaders in route marching.
 ?. Aggressive leadership, especial ly in drilling, marching, and fight ing.
 8. Ability to act as instructors.
 4. Thorough knowledge of the clements of field service.
 5. Thorough knowledge of inter- for guard duty.
 6. Skill in range finding and in estimating distances so as to assist men ir firing accurately.
 '. Proficiency in leading patrols.
 $. Ability to prepare written mes sages that are clear, complete, and concise.
 g. Ability to sketch and read maps.
 This list will suggest some Of the lines along which you should work whenever you have the chance Many of the non-cOmmissiOned of- ficers in the National Army will be chosen, not only because of the knowledge or skill they already pos sess, but also because they show ca pacitv for further development and for leadership.
 Developing SOldierly Qualities
 This question of winning promo ton all comes back 70 the question Of making yourself a thorough sol dier, of demonstrating that you possess loyalty, discipline, obedi- ence, physical fitness, intelligence, cleanliness, cherfulness, spirit, ten acity, and self-reliance-the nine qualities of a soldier.
 The National Army must fit it. self for effective service at the front in the shortest possible time. To accomplish this result It must produce out of its own ranks men who are fitted for promotion first to places as noncommissioned of ficers, either in the first contingent or more probably in later eontin- gents.
 This need is your opportunity. It is an opportunity not merely for personal adyancement- which in time of war is a small thing to work for-but more than that, an opportunity to render to your coun- try the most effective service of which you are capable. Strive to fit yourself for the duties and re- responsibilities of leadership. Make yourself count to the utmost in the victorious defense of American rights and principles to which the National Army will devote Itself. uOHH~ SuTDDEPG