The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-05-20
Army Tank Training
Makes Tractor Men

ne OTSaulZdtlOu VI IHc Iduh CoIPS,
United States army, was begun in
March, 1918, and the battalions that
were organized and sufficiently
trained in time to get into action
rendered highly effective and effic-
lent service at the front. The tank
crops is a distinctive service, requir-
ing both skilled and unskilled men.
1t is desirable to obtain mechanics
with experience in the trades listed
below, and also unskilled men who
may be trained in the mechanical
and skilled duties required, or as
signed to other special duties requir-
ing no mechanical skill. Men with
out previous experience will have the
privilege of attending one of the fol-
loving schools: Mechanical school,
which covers the structural design
of both light and heavy trucks, be-
sides detailed instruction in gas en-
gines of all kinds, as we'll as trans
mission-clutch assembly, gear box
and gears, in fact everything pertain
ing to tank and tractor machinery.
The tank driving course instructs in
the best methods of driving, swing
ing and controlling the tank. The
course includes driving over level
ground, bitches, craters and OBJ
stacles. A qualified tank driver is
fully qualified to drive and mango
tractors. .~
The Reconnaissance school in
structs in the use of drawing instru-
ments, making road and position
sketches, may reading and drafting.
The signal school instructss in the
elements of telegraphy and radio
messages, visual signals ETC., and the
gunnery school instructs in the use
and care of the revolver, machine
gun, small caliber cannon, which is
followed by target practice on re-
duced ranges, and firing from tanks
The pay while in either of these
schools is at least $50 per month,
and for graduates the pay ranges
all the pay fro $50 to $50 per month.
The nature of service in the tank
corps requires SUBSTANTIAL type Of
man, possessing sufficient physical
qualities to pass, without question,
the physical requirements Of the
army, together with a good order Of
mentality and stamina. Since nearly
one half Of the strength of tank
units must be employed in the tanks,
either as tank drivers or gunners,
it is desirable that men enlisted for
this service have sufficient grit and
personal qualities not only to
qualify in these and other duties in
times of peace, but~to be able and
willing to stand up under the strain
of tank fighting in the event of war.
The crew of light tank consists Of
two men-the driver and gunner.
The crew of a heavy tank consists
of one officer and eight men, includ-
ing one driver and seven gunners.
The other half of the enlisted per-
sonnet of the tank corps Is assigned
to various duties with the several
company, battalion, brigade on gen.
eral hearquarters, or with the repair
and salvage companies, the latter re-
quiring personnel Of highly skilled
mechanics. ANY man who may be
generally acceptable to the army may
be accepted for the tank corps at the
U. S. army recruiting station, Poca-
tello, Idaho. He will be assigned to
the duties for which he is best suited
and If necessary trained in the me-
chanical duties required.
.
The present authorized strength Of
the tank corps is 800 officers and
5000 enlisted men. In this force
there will be 1913 sergeants first
class, 1919 sergeants and >971
corporals , an exceptionally high per
centage Of on-commissioned Of
f1cers. &.