The Washington herald., 1918-05-13
"Buck" Dyer Lets Us Know
Marines Not Mollycoddles
Former News Editor of The Herald, Now Pri-
vate at Paris Island, Tells of Strenu-
Gus Training Stunts

How the SOLDIERS of the sea"
train for the big show in France,
is told by Stanley Dyer. former news
editor of The Washington Herald,
but now a member of the Marine
Corps stationed at Paris Island, in a
letter to a member of The Herald
staff.
Strenuous Games.
Strenuous games are part Of the
training. according to The Herald
marine. After a session of master
Of the ring" he says, II left several
inches of my hide on the field. not
to mention sixty-odd cents and my
penknife." The letter is as follows:
Three days after my enlistment,
our company hiked away to the
beautiful seashore. pitched tents
upon the sily'ry strand and began
digging up the place. There was
little time for rest between digs
and drills. Most of the rest periods
were given over to physical exer-
cises, so 1 soon began to feel like
Jess Willard.
After each set of exercises there
was a game far different from post
office For instance, one of 'em was
called master of the ring played
with two sides. 'Yanks' and Huns
the object being to push. kick or
throw the Huns outside the ring.
1T was my fate to be chosen as a
Hun and after the fight I left sew
eral inches of my hide on the field,
not to mention sixty-odd cents and
my penknife. The next time that
game was played. 1 horned in on the
Yanks' side.
Maybe So Buck.
The boxing instructor then showed
up and started a succession of tourna-
ments which resulted in a fine col
lection Of black eyes and split lips.
So you see I'm getting a regular
training.
say, Hello. old top and give him a
light tap on the shoulder which will
probably knock him cold.
Not all the lads in the company are
disposed to take the scrappy stunts as
part of the game. I should say not,
One chap uttered protest against the
master Of the ring" He said he
sprained his ankle. Several more took
similar tales to the drill sergeant.
Next morning at roll call the latter
said:
NOW there's a coupla draft dodg-
ers and willy boys in this outfit. I've
got their names. They think the life
is too rough. I want to tell you right
here it's goin' to be a darn sight
rougher. A pink tea guy came to me
last night and said the food wasn't
up to his standard.
All got to say is this: The rrub's
good enough for me or any honest-to-
God man, and the life amt hurt me
any either. There's no place in the
Marine Corps for silver spoon buns
Raps CompIainers.
"Of course, the old boys right.
We work every day, but it's for our
own good and the food is really
good enough for anybody. II John
d. had eaten this kind Of meals all
his life. he wouldn't be in such a
bad fix now.
well. as I started to tell you. I
left the shining beach about a week
ago in heavy marching order and
advanced into a miniature forest of
pine trees where there was much
skirmish drill and battle practice
with scout and guard duty by night
and day. The work Is so interest
ing that a fellow forgets the IA
tigue until it almost overcomes
him.
"our first practice was with bay
onets. By jinks! I'd hate to meet
our instructor in No Mans Landp
He has about 'steen ways of killing
q man Don't leave any wounded
was his introduction to the first
drill. Make a good job of 1t. There
amt any use in stickin' man twice,
Put him away for keeps the first
time. Don't look at him afterwards
neither or somebody else will get
you" -..
Trumpet School.
"How's that for q starter? He's
got signs up saying the same kind
Of things. We have about mile Of