The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-21
College Training Plan in Full Swing.

With President R. c. McLaurin Of
the Massachusetts, Institute OF Tech
.nology serving as educational head Of
the Students Army Training Corps.
anG a staff of we'll known civilians to
help in the task, the war departments
plan to have every important college
il the country a military post for the
training of men for the army and
navy is making rapid headway. On
July IS, three large training camps
at Plattsburg, n. Y, San Francisco.
Cal, Fort Sheridan, H., with attend
ance of 1000 members Of college
faculties and selected students began
a siXty-day course designed to prepare
men to assist in the work Of military
instruction in the colleges this year.
Details of the plan have just been
announced by the war department.
''The plan is an attempt to mobilize
and develop the brain power of the
young men Of the country for these
services which demand special train
ing" says the war department. Its
object is to prevent the premature en-
listment for active service Of these
men who could by extending the pc
riod of their college training, multi
ply manifold their value to the coun-
try
In its announcement the depart
ment points out the needs for high
ly trained men as officers, engineers.
doctors, chemists, and administrators
of every kind.
1.-THE Importance of this need can
not be too strongly emphasized says
the war departments circular. This
is a war in which soldiers are not only
marksmen, but also engineers, chem
lists. physicists, biologists, doctors,
and specialists in many other lines
Scientific training is indispensable.
Engineering Skill is needed by the Of
ficers who direct every important mil
itary operation and who control our
lines of transport and communications.
In the same way chemical and physl-
cal knowledge are in constant de-
mand at the front as we'll as behind
the lines, while the task Of saving the
lives and restoring the health of hun
dreds of wounded calls for the ser
vices of regiments Of military physl-
clans. The scientific training which
prepares a man to fulfill one of these
highly specialized duties and the more
liberal training which helps to de-
velop the qualities of leadership
needed by the officer or administra-
tor are essential elements Of military
efficiency.
The boy who enlists in the Stu
dents Army Training Corps will be
a member of the army of the United
States. He will be provided by the
war department with uniform ana
equipment but will be on furiough
status and will not receive pay. He
will undergo regular military training
as a part of his course during the
college year, will attend six weeks
camp for rigid and intensive military
instructions with privates pay, and
will be subject to the call of the presl-
dert for active service at any time.
should the exigencies of the military
situation demand it. The policy OF the
government, however, Will be TO keep
members of this corps IN college
until their draft age is reached, ana
the war department will have the
power to order such men to contl2ue
in college even after their draft age
is reached whenever their work is
such that the needs Of the service.
e. g., for doctors, engineers, chem
lists. and the like. are such as TO
make that course advisable"
The Students Army Training
Corps is administered by the Com
mittee on Educational and Special
Training Of the War Department
which is section of the Training
and instruction Branch Of the War
Plans Division IF the General Stall
Competent officers and non-commls-
stoned officers will be assigned to the
various institutions to carry on the
work Of military instruction.
In view Of the educational sisnlf'-
canoe OF the new plan. DIR. =. r.
Claxton. Commissioner Of Education.
has sent a copy of the War Depart
ment's statement TO school and col
lege executives throughout the coun-
try.