Imperial Valley press., 1917-06-30
FEWER CIVILIANS
BECOME OFFICERS
CHANCES FOR GETTING COMMIS.
SION DWINDLlNG.
WILL BE GONE JULY Is
WAR DEPARTMENT WILL NAM +,
IT'S OWN OFFICERS.
Candidates for Officers Reserve Camp
Had Better Hurry if They
Want Their Epaulettes.
(RY Associated Press)


San Francisco, June 20.-The chance
cf a civilian to become an officer in
the new army is dwindling fast. The
chance will be gone on July Is. On
that date registration for the second
Officers Reserve Camp closes. The
camp is to open at the Preside here
on August 27.
After this camp it is the purpose
of the War Department to name it
officers for all new increments from
tee regular army, the national guard
and the selective draft units actually
IN training.
The candidates at this second Off
GERS Reserve Camp will come from
the eight states in the Western De-
partment Of the army. This camp will
provide line officers for the second
Increment of 100000. All officers not
supplied by this and other camps will
come from the regular army, the Ma
tional Guard and drafted forces.
Therefore all officers named after
| this second camp closes will be froru
the ranks, and the only way civilian
will qualify for the straps will le
through extra effort after he has
become a member Of the selective draft
army.
In view of this fact, it is expected
that there will be an overwhelming
number Of applications for this second
camp. The local camp will be limited
to 1000 men. 1t is expected there viii
lie more than that number of appli-
cations from this city alone. Those
| denied admission will lose their last
chance to become officers under the
present system.
Due to the vast strength of the new
army, there will be plenty of oppor.
tanity for officers positions even after
the reserve officers camps, the regu-
lars and the National Guard have sup
piled their quotas. The selection of
1uen from the new army for straps
will depend upon merit in service, mil
itary experience and executive abil.
ity.
The embryo officers in the present
camp are now under the big guns.
While the cannons boom they are be
ing put through all of the maneuvers
of an army in action. 1t is as close
70 actual warfare as possible.
The big guns, w:.ich have been sup
pied by battery of the National
Guard Field Artillery, are being used
for tn etwofold purpose of giving the
rockies nerve and practice in heavy
ordnance. The gun practice marks
me opening of the seconding period Of
intensive training, which is expected
10 be more severe than the first.
In this period the rockies, who are
presumed to have learned practically
al of the rudiments of drilling, will
show what they are capable of doing
under fire" All that will distinguish
this period from a real campaign will
te the blank shot in the guns. The
ones who pass successfully through
this ordeal will be enabled to 90 into
the trenches in Flanders and lead q
charge or direct a gun attack.
In connection with this big gun
drill the rockies are being initiated
into some of the fine points of range
shooting at Fort Barry. Two compa-
Eies at time are being taken to the
fort for lessons in sighting, air cur
rents, perspectives and all other ele-
ments connected with effective rifle
work.
The first intensive period included
such features as saddling horse, as
sembling the harness for cavalry
steed after it had been purposely
scrambled" to test the rockies eda-
cation in the line of equine equipment.
and bridge building The men also
learned to saddle and ride a horse cor
|rectly, although this was hard on many
v no have never ridden anything hard
er than seat in street car.
The second camp is expected to be
much the same, and the ambitious civ
ilians are lining up with a zest.
OH EnNTED uEI DnnR