Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-25
STUDENTS Army CORPS
TO Be RAISED IN COLLEGES
Every Higher Educational Inst,tu.
tion to Inaugurate Rca, Mill.
tary Training.
DIR. BLACKWELL EXPLAINS PLAN
Students Above Eighteen Years OLD
10 be Enlisted and Taught as Are
"ch OF Regular Army-Equip
hcht Furnished by Government.


m virginia will soon inaugurate
lem S.eh or military training which is
tSpes'ed TO be in every way equal to
one pest given by the various army
HIPS lin, or the country. This will be in
WIN the governments desire to
a., what Is to be called the stu
army training corps, and is ex-
pn,eo TO lead up to eventual universal
i'ary service in the schools
rs explained by DR.. II. T.. Blackwell
w., OF Randolph Macon College,
IL has already been decided to
80. tnls method OF training, the plan
hpraces n program that will bring
practically every college youth into tho
service OF the nation. Entrance. how
ever. VIII be optional
All college students may enroll.
nose above eighteen years old will
,S'' receive training. be equipped
ana occupy about the same status as
inactive. or reserve soldiers They win
receive no pay except when on active
outy In the summer camps to be held
each year for period of six weeks when
me same salary as that given In the
regular army will be paid Students
below eighteen will be allowed TO en-
ron and will be given the same train
ihs' nut VIII not be subject to the call
oil the government.
NOT SUBJECT TO DRAFT
but MUST REGISTER
o'uaents who enlist in the students.
my training corps will not he subject
hn, III, according to DR.. Blackwell
viii be compelled to register
Or. Blackwell has issued a circu,,
Shich explains the plan as Il viii he
observed at Randolph Macon and prob
aS all other colleges OF tho state
MS circular follows:
me nee unit. called the students.
army training corps, is 10, he estah-
mus be put on an equality fro,,
iniiitarH point Of view, with the SIN
tents or every other institution of
learning in the country.
me OBJECTS Of the new plan arc thus
e.. oy secretary OF War Baker:
Hrst' TO develop as a great miI;t,r
asset the large body IF younr ,ran
the colleges: and, second. To nrevon,
unnecessary and wasteful dcple,ion ~
the colleges through indiscrimin,,o
volunteering, by offering to tho stu
oents definite and Immediate military
status ''s"iS
The features OF the plan arc &c
follows: "ic as
students eighteen years OF arc or
over arc to enlist. Enlisted students
are In tho military service Of tho
United states. but receive no paw and
arc technically on inactive duty, and
must register after reaching tho draf,
age. The draft board viii not call a
man as long as he remains n member
OF inc Students army training corns
The president Of the college and tho
commanding officer and Colonel Rees
tne commander OF tho entire student
corps. Will determine how to disposc
OF men reaching the draft age in the
best way suited TO meet the emery
encies OF the. military and national
situation at the time.
students under eighteen years Of
>aGe, and those who are EXEMPT from
the draft. Will enroll. Enrolled students
are not In the military service OF the
United States. but will receive the
benefits OF military training without
any enlistment obligation
There VIII be each summer a camp
for six weeks. and while attending this
camp students Will receive as pay $40
month. and all their expenses will be
paid.
Enlistment may be Cancelled for
sufficient reasons. upon recommended
ton OF tho president Of tho college
and the military officer in command at
the college.
Opportunity will he given for the
enlisted students. who so elect, TO
transfer from army to navy. and vice
versa. and to be assigned to active
service In one of the various corps OF
the army upon recommendation of the
college president and the proper mill
itary authority
Regular uniforms, including hats
shoes and overcoats will be furnished
all members of the students army
training corps by the government
The last circular issued by the
authorities at Washington had these
Significant utterances:
enlistment in the students army
training corps. while 1t does not hold
out any promise of an officers COM
mission. Is at the present time the
plainest road leading in that direction.
"'Should Congress lower the age OF
liability to immediate military service,
men OF the new ages not already en-
listed may find difficulty in entering
the service otherwise than through
draft boards. In view of this posi-
tility. all men expecting to enlist al
all In the students army training corps
would do we'll to enter promptly
every one who enlists or enrolls in
the students army training corps must
have the written consent OF his parent
or guardian"