The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-18
18TH DIVISION FOR
UNIVERSAL TRAINING
Inquiry Made at Camp Devens
Shows Strong Support
of Movement.
DISCIPLINE Is URGED
Opinions Were Obtained When
Troops Were About to
Be Demobilized.
DISCIPLINE Is URGED

WASHINGTON, March 1T.-Oyerwhelm-
ing Endorsement of universal military
training system, coupled with equally
strong support for the existing dis
ciplinary relationship between officers
and men of the army. was expressed by
representative group OF the selective
service men OF the Twelfth Division.
Camp Devens, Mass, Just before the or
ganization was demobilized last jan
uary.
Tho opinions OF the men, numbering
1880, with an average length Of SER
vice Of 1917 months. were obtained
through a carefully arranged question
naire system, with every safeguard pro-
vided to insure absolutely free express
sion of opinion and with such distriou-
ton in tho division as to make the an
swers representative. The report on the
inquiry was made public to-day at the
War Department. II In headed:
Our military system as II appeared
to Americas citizen soldiers"
Beneated by Army Life.
Although half OF the men questioned
were rated as dissatisfied with military
life. the report shows that ss.5 per cent.
OF the replies expressed the soldiers
belief that he personally had benefited
by his army life, 70 per cent. were glad
of their training aside from feelings of
patriotism, and IS per cent. favored uni
versal military training as national
policy. A substantial majority agreed
that the existing relationship between
officers and men was necessary and
disapproved the social mixing OF the
rank and file.
The largest number Of suggestions as
to improvements in the service had to
do with better fitting uniforms or
changes in mess arrangements.
There were more than 10000 men in
the Twelfth Division at the time of the
inquiry, representing forty-seven states.
The organization was awaiting orders for
France when the armistice was signed.
II then suffered more than two months
Of waiting for rehabilitation before the
questionnaires were sent out. and the
officers who devised and supervised the
inquiry point out that II was thus CAL
culated to reflect army morale at its
low ebb.
Carefulness of Inquiry.
Every provision was made to ascerta in
the views of discontented men in order
that the results might have real value
to the army. The commanders OF the
eighty companies were furnished with
eiSh;een questionnaires each and in
structed TO give them to six men Of high
intelligence and rated as good soldiers.
to six others OF equal intelligence but
supposed TO be disconnected with army
life. to three good soldiers of average
intelligence and to three others OF aver
age intelligence who had indicated views
hostile to military discipline. The men
were told to submit their answers only
Immediately upon or after discharge so
fan nf attha ntfn l,Hv hat
officers would impede the free expression
Of their views
Ten questions we're submitted respect
ing impressions to be gained from the
service. AS 10 the disciplinary relation,
767 men answered II was necessary,
against 1876 who held It unneces-
ssry; 2aJ said it was not harsh, against
40 OF opposite view; 27s said IT was
democratic and 1855 the opposite, and
1913 held that Il depended on the officer
In the individual answers was found
materia! which prompts the report TO
state that many criticisms were d.
rected against the oyerbearing manner
seen in some Young Officers" One SOL
der said: 1T all depends on how much
brains God gave the officer" and an
other said: I'VE have to have discipline
In the army. but not like some OF these
ninety day Lieutenants think"
Universal Training.
on universal military training the
answers were emphatic, OF 1850 replies
turned in l2l3 were fatty in favor.
Good citizenship. physical benefits and
character building were the chief rea-
sons OF approval assigned.
The largest number OF men making
recommendation as to the form of SER
vice urged six months as a sufficient pc
Rod and thought IL should be given dur
ing the eighteenth year. A considerable
number thought il should be a part OF
school or college courses. Only eight
men expressed a view that more than a
year OF training should be required. and
only sixty-eight favored more than six
months.
In expressing how they would look
back or their service. loss men report
ed feelings OF pride or pleasure or both,
while 162 merely said they were mot
sorry"