The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-18
BY c. c. LYON.

now had three months training in
France.
What are the big outstanding teatur,
es?
/. General Pershing is fast develop,
ing his forces into real fighting ma
chine.
2. Young officers from the American
training camp schools are making
good with whoop.
8. The enlisted men are showing a
wonderful aptitude in learning trench
warfare methods from their French
instructors.
In developing the American troops
into a high speed enthusiastic war ma
chine General Pershing and General
Sibert make an ideal combination.
Sibert is field commander OF the
first expedition.
Pershing has furnished the iron dis
cipline that was needed by the new
army.
Sibert, now affectionately called PA
pa" Sibert by his men, has furnished
the pats on the back.
Pershing recently visited his troops
Since he went back u Paris there has
been a general clicking of heels; off
GERS give their commands with more
pep and then men go through theil
work with more energy and earnest
ness; there has been noticeable perk
ing up in personal appearances; and
the whole military works have moved
more swiftly and smoothly.
Pershing is commander with a big
punch Nothing escapes his eagle eye
He knows exactly what is needed tt
put the American army on par with
the French and English.
His methods of illustrating his points
are direct and forceful.
In one inspection he espied private
slouching in line, looking at the far-ofl
| scenery, totally uninterested in the
business at hand.
Pershing brought him up with 6
Jerk, o
manded.
Hundreds of parish of eyes were riv
eted on the private.
Now" continued Pership lout
enough for all to hear, 1.-The first re
quislte of a good soldier is strict atten
ton and a soldierly appearance.
Face your company, Stand cree
like real soldier for five minutes eyes
to the front"
In other parts of the camp Pershine
repeated the lesson.
You can now bet your last centime
that the next time the general comes
around there won't be anybody looking
at the far.off scenery.
Officers who needed 1t came In fol
similar attention from Pershipg.
At one place the commander thought
the captain wasn't showing enough pei
| in leading his men through bayonet eX
ercises.
Here, give me gun and let me-
show you how an officer should leat
this drill" Pershing exclaimed.
And for the next ten minutes onlook
ers saw something they'll never forge
the chief commander of the American
expeditionary forces standing out in q
field, lunging and thrusting and coun
tering with gun and bayonet, leading
the company through the exercises
with all the energy and enthusiasm o.
an officer 80 years his junior.
The men responded in a manner tina
pleased the general.
That's it." he complimented. "Pu
everything you have into 1t. Pep anc
more pep"
He turned to the captain.
"You can't expect your men to SHOW
class unless you show 1t yourselt.
Papa" Seibert is of different tenn
permanent from Pershing but he Is get
ting fine results.
When Seibert goes on an inspection
he's always on the lookout for chance
to praise those men who deserve the
praise.
your men make fine appearance
CAPTAIN" he said one day to a com
pany commander whose men were lin
ed up for inspection. These are the
kind of soldiers l like to see.'
Since that time the company hal
entered title to being the crack com
pany of the regiment and every Other
company has perked up and is working
its head off to get similar compliment
from Papa" Sibert,
Sibert will visit a company kitchen
whats on the bill Of fare today
cook" he will ask. Lets try tina
soup you've got in that kettle. Say
that's fine isn't It? Good enough foi
anybody"
So, between Pershing's disciplinar!
methods and Sibert's fatherly attitude
the American army in France is com
ing with a rush to high state of eff
cheney.
Now, as to the young officers whit
prepared themselves in officers train
ing camps in America.
Already they're called the 60. &c
'em Boys" because they're so full o
energy, initiative and enthusiasm.
A high officer paid them a compli
ment the other day.
"These young officers are going Il
make good, because they know hov
to think and act quickly" he said
"They may lack in technical knoWl
edge but they'll acquire that.
"The way these young civilians arr
taking hold indicates that our new Sc
lective draft army is going to be
great success as a fighting machine
because 1t will contain many Thousand
young men who have as much menta
equipment as these officers now on th'
job"
For the most part, the latter entered
the officers training camps with thu
first bunch about the middle of May
/ 80 A1,,