Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-16
OUTLINES STUDENT ARMY
TRAINING CORPS PLAN
Secretary Smithcy Sends Bulletin to All
school Supcrin t~ ndents nv to
Requirements.

The great confusion in the minds OF
Young men and their parents regarding
whether boys eighteen years or age or
more are compelled Ia enter colIess
provided they are high scnool gradu-
.ltcS. or whether they may elect 10 do,
and what their status is In any case
ias caused The State department o.,
Education 10 be SO swampcd with qucs-
the state Board o: Education. has adj
dressed tho following letIer to each AZ
Vision SUPPLEMENTARY, with the request
that he persuade his local paper TO print
IL The letter reads AS follows:
The American army needs some CO.
90" second iieuienants within the next
looking TO the colleges TO give these
prospective officers their preliminary
training In view OF this fact. n.
government, offers 10 every nigh schooi
the army physical EXAMINATION, a choice
either of going TO cantonment Ior
military training. or soing TO some col.
army training corps Will be organized.
All the standard colleges in Virginia
will have such n students army train
ing corps. If the young man eject
10 go 10 college. the government VIII
pay his expenses for board, lodging ana
tuition. will furnish him with a uni
form and equipment, and viii give him
the pay OF private. AT the end or
about three, six nine months. ac-
cordinE TO circumstances, the young
Al
tary duty. If he shows, while in co.,
leSe, that he has the qualifications TOR
making OF an officer. he will be trans-
ferred TO central officers training
camp.
The above facts are set forth in a
statement recently sent out by the COM
ing. OF the war Department OF the
colleges in the United states.
II seems certain that il these facts
are clearly brought before all recent
r.
whclming majority 90 them will elect
to go 10 college. Many Of them will
graduates who do not elect 10 go TO
college to take advantage Of the spe-
ella! training offered under government
control. will have TO take their chances
with priVateS AT the environments TO
which they will he assigned
1T is suggested by the State Depart
ment OF Education tina, every boy who
is eighteen years OF age or above. and
has not already enrolled in some stan
dad college. write immed lately TO the
college OF his choice and make ar
ming Of the fail term.
The :. \. T. 6. is being established
by the government of the United States
IN various colleges throughout the
s'untry in order 10 give young men
necessary military training
The government asks that all young
men who are graduates OF high school
and VIII" arc OF college rank enter
college and continue useful training
All young men over eighteen years
OF ago. and regularly enrolled stu
dents. should enlist in the S 4. r. G.
HiGh school graduation is neces-
sary for induction in the corps
"The government will at once cstab-
fish unit OF tho s. 4. T. g at each Of
the standard colleges for men in vir-
giuia.
Each college will he placed in
charge Of an officer Of the United
States Army.
Rides. uniforms. ovcrcoats AND other
equipment will be shipped al an early
date.
Men over eighteen will register
Septemher |" with local board and he
October /.
Members OF the s. a. t. G. will he
soldiers, suhjcc. TO discipline and with
the pay OF nrivates.
NO units Of a. T. Q. are at pres
cnt being established at high schools.
but the government hopes TO extend
military instruction at secondary
schools a, an early date.
academic instruction will be modi-
ned TO have direct military valuc"