Evening journal., 1918-08-23
ARMY PROMOTION
RULES ANNOUNCED
Advancement ofMerit Only,
With Regard to
Seniority
WILL TAP THE
TRAINING SCHOOLS

WASHINGTON, Auf. % - General
March, chief Of staff, has announced
new regulations for the appointment
and promotion OF officers OF the army.
The general order, embracing the new
rules, as issued by direction OF Presi-
dent Wilson, through the Office OF Brig
adler General p. C. Harris, adJutant
general, states the new regulations as
follows:
"Vacancies-how fllled:
Training schools will be maintained
10 prepare selected non-commissioned
officers and privates for commissions.
Vacancies in the grade Of second
lieutenant in a regiment or separate
unit will be filled, in so far as prac-
ticsble. by the appointment OF candi-
dates from the unit who have passed
tl.rough these schools. In exceptional
cases. for gallantry In action ana
demonstrated fitness, enlisted men may
be appointed second lleutenants. though
not graduates OF the training schools.
Vacancies in the grade OF second
lieutenant not filled in the foregoing
manner will be filled by transfer or as
signment. -,
vacancies in grades below that OF
lieutenant colonel and above that OF
second lieutenant in any regiment OF
senarate unit will be filled, as Tar as
practicable by the promotion OF officers
.slected from the next lower grade IN
the regiment or separate unit IN Whlch
the vacancy occurs.
an case the necessity the selection
NAV be made from officers in the next
over grade IN the same arm or corps
within the corps.
"Vaoancies in the grade Of colonel
and lieutenant colonel will be hllea'
as Tar as practicable, by selectlon lrOll
of1cers in the next lower grade m tne
same arm OF service. the division 10
which the organization in which the Va
cancv occurs is assigned or attached ioI
aVacancles in any commissioned
rrsde within a division may be hliea
Nv transfer OF officers Of the same grade
and arm or corps OF the service by com.
netent authority. when the interests OF
ihe service demand such action,
SRFCONrNIFNDATIONS FOR APPOlNI-
MENTSl
"a personnel board will be orgalilzeu
IN each separate unit and regiment OF
bisher unit The board will be ap-
pointed BY the unit commander 10 rec
arornsnd 10 him details, assignments
and annointments Of officers. The Doard
,,,iT he permanent. but the members
,beraof win be changed, so that no
,oerbsr will serve continuously more
,ban three months. and. having served
,bree months he will not serve again
nntil the expiration Of three months.
Recommendation for appointment
met he based solely on demonstrated
atness and capacity and without re-
gsrd N seniority. except that selections
Am ordinorilv be made from the next
In the United states and its pos
sessions. commanding generals OF a.
visions and Of separate units VIII SUI.
milf recommendations to the adJutahJ
General Of the army 10 Ill vacancies
in organizations forming part OF their
command. .,,.,.,.
"vrhUe serving in expeditionary
eorces similar recommendations VIII De
,oade IA the commanding general OF the
Evolutionary forces. Commanding gen
erals Of evolutionary forces serving
sbroad are authorized. pending the ap-
proval Of the War Department; 70 III
an vacancies in their command Deio"
the grade Of general oflcer.
Coeei Artillery Promotions.
coast ARTILLERY.
..yvben a vacancy occurs in an organ
,,o,ion ~ the Coast Artillery not serv-
i,- vim a division or higher tactical
III, NJ in an expedltionary force
ah~oad the chief Of coast artillery VIII
submit A accommodation to the adJu-
tsnt general Of the army for flling such
vacancy. .o,.,
when an organization OF the coast
artillery is serving with a division OF
higher tactical unit or expeditlonary
force. the same rules with respect 70
anpointment and promotion apply as ID
,be case Of other arms Of the service.
STAFF OFFICERS.
"yVhen a vacancy exists in a stan
corns or department within the terrific
rial limits Of the United states IN
grade above the lowest commissioned
Grade authorized by law, such vacancy
Shall be fllled by promotion or assign,
ment on recommendation OF the ciiel
~ the bureau When such vacancy eA-
SIS in a STAFF corps or department. ID
IN expeditionary force, the vacancy VIII
so 0lled upon the recommendation OF
he commanding general Of the expedi-
Gonarv force in which the vacancy oc-
,urs and the commander Of such e1-
peditionarv force may MI such va
cancies by temporary appointment OF