South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-19

CneCkeu against llSlS from the local
boards; representatives Of each bat
talon were on hand to take the men
assigned to their organizations; hot
food was waiting; bedding and
blankets were soon issued; medical
examination and fitting of clothes
then followed. So completely and
thoroughly wOrked-Out were the
plans and so efficiently did the COM
pany officers work, that in many
cases a man was examined, indicted
into the service, and in uniform in
less than half a day from the time
he entered camp In some cases,
men were discharged, paid and on
their way home before nightfall.
"I paid particular attention TO the
work at night" said an officer, land
IT was certainly remarkable to note
the ease and dispatch with which
they were brought i'm and sifted out
to their organizations. 1t certainly
speaks we'll for the arrangements
which had been made previously"
Plan Training.
Probably more interesting than
the receiving of the men is the ex-
tensive plans which were made for
the training of recruits. Weeks ago.
Col. ClOman organized schools of in
structon in each group, in which
the officers and nOn-commissioned
officers were taught the best methods
Of instructing recruits. Lieut.. Col
L. r. Gignilliat for many years the
commandant of the Culver Military
academy. was placed in charge Of
these schools.
ITO get the best results, the drill
master must know the fundamentals
Of teaching" Col Gignilliat told his
classes. The instructor must have
patience. the ability to see mistakes
and must be trained especially in
making explanations. Recruits must
not be 'bawled out If they fail TO
understand an explanation the first
time. You men who are to do this
training must study your men, learn
their individual characteristics as
much as you can, and see that the
movements are demonstrated to
them in such a way that they will
understand them"
Learning to March.
Ordinarily a recruit takes his first
instruction in marching to the count
one, two, three, four" by the in
structor. Col Cloman. however, is
a firm believer that a man can learn
TO march more readily by the music
Of a band than he can the other
way So ne has made il a part of
the daily program to have one-halr
hours marching each day to the
music of the band.
Even before the recruit is taught
squads right and squads left he
/ begins his marching exercises with
the big bass drum beating time for
him, and the music making him feel
a pride in his position. The effect
/ is Immediately noticeable. Not only
I do the men learn quickly how to
march with rhythm and steadiness.
but they unconsciously get their
heads up and their chests out. Col.
Cloman didn't have any band pro-
vided in his organization. so one was
organized from the musicians among
the recruits, and it is a great source
Of pride 10 the depot brigade, for
it's the largest band in camp. The
a members supplied their own in
struments. and the expense OF the
band up to date has been $40.
Train by Example.
The method Of training used has
also demonstrated that a recruit
learns much more rapidly through
the eye than through the ear. An
instructor does not rattle off a long
winded technical explanation OF the
simple movement right face" but he
executes IL for the recruit in some
such manner as this: Lift your
right toe like I do: turn TO the right
like I do. on your right heel. Now
go ahead and try it," The recruit
Immediately sees what he has TO
do. detail by detail. and it does not
6ewilder him. He Immediately SAYS
10 himself. Gee. that's easy" and is
ready 10 tackle something harder
with confidence and interest.
Few people realize the importance
OF this work in the depot brigade or
the high efficiency that is required
10 give the proper instruction. Train
ing Of men was the speciality in