The Washington herald., 1917-05-11
Army and Navy News
Best Service Column In city.

-.
It's issue for April prints an article con-
cerning the duties Of infantry company
commanders, which viii prove Of great
instructive value to the thousands Of re-
serve officers. The article is based on
reports made by all the oficers OF the
First Infantry Brigade OF the regular
army az the conclusion OF long march
recently made BY the three regiments.
included In that unit The article. which
has been published as an onicial order
py MAI. Gen. Pershing. Is In part as
follows:
There is psychology of the march as
wen as OF the combat. As long as q man
does not see other men failing out. he will
grit his teeth and go on; but IL he sees
a man OF his squad or company drop out,
his viii force Us weakened, as ne knows
that he will not stand alone in the
opinion Of his comrades IL he falls out.
ana there Is nothing so demoraliEing as
the sight Of a number Of men sitting or
lying along the road waiting for the am
bulance. As a consequence all men who
are not physically Mt to make the march
should be. left behind.
Good Condition Necessary.
II man is not in good physical con-
dition he is not only unable TO put for
ward the physical exertion called FOR
in marching. but his nervous system
otAh6 ne IL not hDle TO eXeF-
else the will force often necessary TO
carry him through. and. at times, 20
stand the punishment of the march.
The company commander should al
low the men to open shirts at the
throats and turn up the sleeves.
Keep men in their squads properly
dressed in the ranks and covered in
file. and by all means prevent strag-
Cling. He will see that no man leaves
the column without authority in writ
ing, which he. will give only in case
OF sickness complete exhaustion, or for
urgent necessity.
Observe the physical condition of
men. tag those who need medical at
tendance and who are clearly unable
to continue the march, and permit
these and no others to fall out: cause
men to halt, fall in, and TO start
promptly at the command.
In marching, cause the men TO Keep
to the right of the road to allow free
passage of people and vehicles going
in the opposite direction. and at halts
see that all members of the command
keep to the right of the road.
should Drink Little water.
Prevent his men from drinking water
oftener than the distance to be marched
and time Of fresh supply and health re-
quire; also that no water is obtsined from
unauthorized sources.
Permit no lunch to be eaten until the
proper time
Give his men ten minutes rest every
hour II exercising an independent COM
msnd
Prevent men from closing up at the
halts for rests. and require them 10 gain
distance. If lost while marching.
See that his men relax at every halt.
Require men to lie down or to sit dur
ing rests and discourage smoking on the
march, as smoking tends to increase the
thirst.
Require sores and blisters to be treated
at halts so that the man may continue
with his company.
Make details before reaching camp:
Cs) To dig latrines. CbD To unload
wagons. (cJ To report to headquarters.
Id To pitch officers tents. Ce) To put
up stoves. % To get wood. 20 To get
water
should Avoid Cooling on.
Caution the men to avoid cooling Of
too rapidly, and to enforce especial econ
omy in the use Of water.
In camp it is his duty:
To see that the tents are promptly and
properly pitched.
To see that tents are ditched.
10 nave not COHee or lea provided for
the men as soon as possible after reach
ing camp.
To see that his men are promptly and
properly fed, but not to permit eating or
drinking when overheated.
In issuing rations, TO see that mea
handling them are clean. To see that
food is properly protected from flies dust
and sun. and that the kitchen and
grounds around it are kept scrupuIously
clean; that solid refuse is Immediately
burned, that all liquid refuse is placed
In pits protected from flies. and the pits
covered with earth before marching.
To look after the general condition and
health, to pay particular attention to the
feet hold foot inspection at the end Of
each days march, to see that shoes Mt
properly. and that they are from an inch
to one and half inches longer than the
foot.
To see that his men are as comforta bic
rs possible, without interfering with the
comfort Of others. To prevent the use
of liquor, and to preserve order and dis
Cipline. To prevent trespass on or deV,re-
dation OF private property. To see that
all property is properly guarded and that
none is lost or stolen.