The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-26
'Y0Uhe MEN SHOULD
ENTER COLLEGE NOW
Unusual Opportunity for Those who
Arc Within the New Draft to
Obtain Advancement
WILL MAKE OFFICERS
Students With High School Education
or Otherwise Prepared Are Urged
by Government to Enroll in
Training Corps.

Charlottesville, Va, Aug. 25.--The
following plan for the organization of
a student army training corps, in
order to utilize the educational insti-
tutlons of the country for the train
ing OF men as officers and technical
experts in the army, has, by order of
the secretary of war, been approved
by General Peytou c. March, chief
OF stat, and viii determine the status
of students Of the universities and
colleges Of Virginia, in which the de-
partmenL OF war has already estab-
iished unit OF the corps:
Young men who have had at
least a high school education will be
allowed TO enter the colleges for
more advanced training as officers
and rs technical experts of various
kinds. according TO their experience
and abilities. Those men who show
promise under this training will be
Kept in college until qualified to en-
tar central officers training camps.
or to go directly into the service as
technical experts. Those who do not
VIII be sent either to non commits
stoned officers schools or to the near
sst depot brigade, or, in case they
show special technical or mechanical
ability. TO the defachments where
men are trained for such work.
The length OF time during which
men will be trained in the colleges
will depend upon the needs of the
service. AS fast as one group of
trained men is drawn from the col
leges into the service. their places
will be taken by a new quota obtained
by voluntary induction or through
the draft In this way the educa-
tional facilities of the country will
be used TO maintain a constant sup
ply of men who are trained to meet
the needs of the army.
Every effort will be made TO give
every young man who enters the
service under this plan opportunity
for the training best suited TO his
natural ability and preference, in Or
der to enable him to serve the conn-
try in the most efficient way"
1t is evident that the department
OF war considers the colleges and uni
versities reservoirs and selecuye
training sch ools OF the most valuable
material for special service in the
war. and viii make every effort 10
conserve and use them 10 this
end 1t is therefore the patriotic
duty of every young American. who
is able and prepared to enter college,
at once to take all steps necessary
for enrolment in college or univer
sity for the approaching session. lie
will then be assured of the training
best suited to his natural ability and
preferences, in order TO enable him
to serve the country in the most eff
Cient way
Young men of draft age, who have
entered college or university. will,
after matriculation, be given the reg
ular physical examination for regis
trants under the selective service act
II this examination shows them
fitted for fun active military duty,
they will then be inducted into the
army, in advance of call from their
local exemption board by the mill
tary officer in command of the unit OF
the students army training corps es-
fablished in the institution They
will then be enlisted men of the
United States army, receiving ord
nance. uniform, other supplies and
pay from the government. Their
academic and military training will
be such as will accomplish the pur-
poses indicated in the paragraphs
quoted above When SUNNI oned by
the board. their classification under
The selective service act will be V-D
already in the service of the
United states. They will continue
studies for so long "a period as the
military authorities may deem neces-
sary TO satisfy the conditions quoted.
Premedicai and medical students. stu
dents specializing in engineering sub
jects, and in technical sciences of eS-
pecial military importance. such as
chemistry and physics. will, it seems,
be allowed TO complete their courses
other students will enter on active
military service at the call of ths de
partment of war. being assigned TO
duty AS indicated above.
College and university students
thus indicted into service will re-
ceive military training under the reg
ulations to be issued by the depart
ment OF war for the students army
training corps. AS commanding Off
Ger of the unit established at the
University OF Virginia, the depart
ment has detailed Lieut. Col. Jam es
A Cole. L. S. A. retired, who was
In command Of the reserve officers
training corps last session. and who
is also professor of military science
and tactics in the university. Add
tionai officers, commissioned and non
commissioned. VIII also be detailed as
necessary to assist Colonel Cole in all
branches of military training.