The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-04-03
EFFICIENCY AT CAMP
TAYLOR
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One of the most interesting mani
festations of efficiency at Camp Zach
airy Taylor has been in the handling
and instruction at the last draft quota
in which several thousand men from
Kentucky and Illinois began their
army life in the 159th Depot Brigade
The Kentucky Legislators and In
diana State executives during their
recent visits were greatly impressed
by the appearance and training of
these new men, and many questions
were asked about the methods used.
Col. S. A. Cloman, Bridgaade Com
mander, started work on plans for re-
ceipt many weeks before the move
ment was started A branch of the
Camp Personnel Office was establish
ed in the Depot Brigade area and the
Personnel officers and Brigade officers
devised ways and means of handling
the men quickly and without delay
Major H. H. Elarth was detailed in
general charge of the reception of the
men, assisted by half dozen lieuten-
ants and corps Of non-commissioned
officers, and no difference when or
where they arrived in Louisville, they
were met and conducted to camp.
Night and day the new recruits
poured in by train loads. Things
worked clock-lke; officers met tn"
trains; lined up the incoming men in
column of twos"; the line was
marched to the Personnel office and
checl I'd against lists from the Local
Boards; representatives of each bat
talon were on hand to take the men
assigned to their organizations; the
Battalion Adjutants quickly checked
the men to their organization; hot
food was waiting; bedding and blan-
kets were soon issued; medical ex-
animation and fitting Of clothes then
followed. So completely and thor
oughly worked-out were the plans,
and so efficiently did the company Of
fcers work, that in many cases a man
was examined, indicted into the SER
vice, and in uniform in less than half
day from the time he entered camp.
In some cases, men were discharged,
paid and on their way home before
nightfall.
II paid particular attention to the
work at night" said an officer, land
1t was certainly remarkable to note
the ease and dispatch with which they
were brought in and sifted out to
their organizations. 1t certainly
speaks we'll for the arrangements
which had been made previously"
Probably more interesting than the
receiving of the men is the extensive
plans which were made for the train
ing of the recruits. Weeks ago, Col.
Cloman organized schools of instruc-
ton in each group, In which the Of |
ficers and non-commissione officers |
were taught the best methods of in
strucung recruits. Lieut.. Col. l.. r.
Gignilliat, for many years the Com
mandant Of the Sulver Military AGA
denny, 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
heir individual characteristics as
os you can, and see that the move
ments are demonstrated to them In
such a way that they will understand
them."
Ordinarily recruit takes his first
instruction In marching to The count
'one. two, threafour" by the instruc-
tor. 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
he has made II part OF the daily
program to have one half hours
each day to the music OF
The hand.