Evening star., 1920-02-29

w YHILE men in Congress and
M out have been debating a
" military policy, and every
person with a new idea and
some with no ideas at all have been
expressing an opinion as to what the
United States Army should be like, a
system. almost revolutionary in its
scope. has been put in operation by the
War Department wholly within the
bounds of existing law.
The new plan may be summed up in
the single word, education. 1t had its
inception. not in the war. but in the
period Immediately following the ces-
sation of hostilities. and it has
been expanded and changed to fit
peace time conditions until it is
today the basis for recruiting
campaign different from anything ever
seen in military history.
Learn how to make more money
at the Vocational Training Schools.
Camp Eustis, Va. you, and the Camp
tional and Vocational Training for .ths
enlisted men. Camp Meade Schools :"
Education and Recreation Work at
Camp Funston, Kan. the home of the
Seventh Division''-these are the titles
that catch the eye of the prospective SOL
der. each being taken from the cover
Of booklet that lists classes in every
thing from agriculture to typesetting.
Look for Better Army.
Let not the old soldier sniff disdain-
fully and say that the Army is going
to pot because OF a lot of newfangled
ideas. The general staff will see to it
that soldiers are still taught how to
soldier The infantry will continue
to do squads east" the artillery will
gmeors will build moro bridges than
ever. But the man who is anxious
to learn something besides his gem
eral orders and the way to beat ia
tunity. and the sponsors of the new
plan believe the men and the Army
will be better for it.
Tho plan under which the Army is
now being educated" is little more
than five months old, but in that time
order of last September set forth a
rwofold PURPOSE for education of the
enlisted personnelfrst, ''to train
technicians and mechanics to meet
soldiers general intelligence in or
der to increase his military eff
cheney" and, second, ITO fit the SOL
der for a definite occupation on his
return to civil life" The order added
that educational work will he as
regularly scheduled as is military
training. and it is made the duty Of
all commanders to see that all sub
ordinate officers apply to this new
work the same high standard of
duty heretofore exacted in the purely
that at least three hours per day for
hve days a week be devoted to
educational work, such work. except
for flliterates, to be voluntary. But
when once enrolled as a student the
soldier is required to complete the
course undertaken.
So Tar as practicable the non-com-
misdoned and commissioned officers
are used as instructors in the schools.
but where mer in the service are not
qualified civilian teachers are en-
pIoyed. an appropriation being avail
able Tor that purpose.
Air Service StfenEthenea.
The flrst branch of the service to be
recruited up to strength since the
war ceased was the air service The
prospect Of building and repairing
planes and tinkering with liberty mo-
tors induced several thousand soldiers
to remain in uniform after they might
have returned to civil life. The Motor
Transport Corps. which has an au-
thorixed strength of 1000 in the re-
organized Army, was recruited to
overstrength in five months.
Tho largest schools are maintained
by the seven Regular Army divisions
rs follows: First Division, Camp
Zachary Taylor. Kentucky; I'd Di-
vision. Camp Travis, Texas; Sd Divi-