The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1917-03-22
Training Camps

policy and plans with reference to the
Civilian Training Camps to be held in
the Southern Department during the
coming summer.
The General stated in substance. as
follows:
Under the terms of the National De-
fense Act, which became a law on
June 3rd last, the Civilian Training
Camps became part of our national
military establishment. The law in
broad terms provides for these camps
and authorizes certain expenditures to
be made in their maintenance and au-
thorizes the Secretary of War to pres
cribe the general policy to oVern.i
THE OBJECT OF CAMPS
The object of these camps, as an
nounced by the War Department is
twofold. First: 1t is the intention to
instruct and train the citizens of the
country in the use of arms, and to teach
them the true military history and poll
cy of the United States, and second:
it is the intention to prepare those de-
string to become officers of Volunteers
during war, to perform in a proper
manner the duties which will fall to
them.
WHO MAY ATTEND THE CAMPS
These camps are open to all male
citizens or the United States between
the ages of 18 and 55, with the restric-
ton that those beyond the age of 45l
may attend only when no expense Is
incurred by the Government because of
their attendance. It is absolutely re-
quired that all attendants be men of
good character and standing in their
respective communities; that they be
physically sound, and that they have
at least the equivalent of high school
education.
OBLIGATION TO FUTURE MILITARY
SERVICE
There is absolutely no obligation i'm
posed by the War Department for any
military service following attendance |
at one of these camps. Upon report |
ing at the camp, the attendant enlists |
as student for the thirty days of the |
camp, and agrees to obey the rules
and regulations for the government of |
the camp, and he also takes an oath to |
bear true faith and allegiance to the |
United States of America; and, during |
the period of the camp, to obey the |
orders of the President of the United |
States Secretary of War, and the of
ficer placed over him. AS this agree
ment and oath terminates with the
camps it imposes no future obligation
of any kind,
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT FURNISHES
The Government furnishes transpor-
tation to the attendant from his home
TO camp and return, subsistence and
uniform while at camp, and all such
things as tents, cots, blankets, etc.,
necessary for his well-being.
Owing to limited appropriations, it
mas been decided that transportation
,an be furnished cnly to the camp
nearest the attendants home. without
reference to the boundary lines of the
Military Departments.
Alexandra, July %, to August 9th
are the place and date for the coming
summer.
COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
The War Department has decided
hat there shall be a course of three
lamps, each of thirty days duration
These will be known as the Red, White
md Blue camps, respectively.
Instruction at the Red camps will be
he same for all men, and will consist
If basic infantry course, together
With all those duties which are the
anne with reference to all arms of the
service.
Having completed the Red camp.
he attendant then selects the arm of
he service in which he desires to con-
inue his instruction, that is, whether
le wishes to prepare himself in the
avalry, field artillery, infantry engin-
ers or signal corps, and having made
uch selection, he then continues his |
york In the arm of his choice, particu-
ar attention being given to instructing
i'm in the duties of non-commissiored
Ulcers.
His third camp, or the White camp, .
} the one in which he takes up the du-
les of officers Of the arm of his selec-
ion. In this camp he will have practi-
al command of troops under the care
nd guidance of officers of the Regular
army, and he will be taught to take
are of the troops that may some day
e under his command, and will be pre-
ared to perform in an efficient man
er the duties of an officer.
WAN En AINC4RNOAlJN
Following the summer camps, there
yill be correspondence course by
lail which the attendant will be invi.
ed to take, and which will be extreme
7 valuable to him In his military stud
IS.
CAMP COMMANDERS
I shall take personal command of each
f the camps and, so far as the affairs
f the Department permit, will be pres
Mt in camp There will be an executive
mcer designated for each camp, who
uring my absence, will keep in touch
Tith me by long distance telephone and
ltion of such orders as ] shall give
i'm from time to time.
/ believe that these camps are most
nportant, and 1t is my intention to
i've them as great personal direction
; the affairs of my large command
i'll permit.
REGULBR TROOPS TO ATTEND
Such troops of the Regular Army as
lay be necessary will be in attendance
these camps. AS there will be more s
rst year men than any others, the in
,ruction will be largely infantry, and
shall therefore have a battalion OF
egular Infantry to be used in connec-
on with this psrt of the work. For
lose in the second and third years,
no have selected the mounted service,
lere will be cavalry and field artillery
} be used in their instruction. For
le engineers, there will be an engineer :
,mpany, and for the signal troops
lere will be sections of telegraph II
oops, sections Of wire troops, and the s
me of radio troops. 4
In addition to the troops in attend 4
ice, there will be such material as