The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-15
az NJ. d. cAMPeELL

Daily 700 Memphis boys, potential Of
Ulcers OF the American army, are being
aksN8ht The manual OF arms and drill
manual by West Point graduate, as
sisted by two soldiers OF the regular
army. At Central high and Vocational
high schools there is organized a, branch
OF the reserve officers training corps,
junior division, under command of Capt.
p. G. Paschal, winner of the American
distinguished service cross, French
Croix de Guerre with palm, Legion OF
Honor and Italian war cross. Each
day boys who compose the battalionS
are given Instructions by Capt. Paschal
or one of the sergeants.
AT Central high two battalions of four
com9panies each are organized, each
having its own cadet officers and non
commissioned officers About 500 or
500 boys are in these, battalions. At
Vocational high school three compa-
MES, with a total enrolment of 100
boys, compose the unit
word about the officer who COM
mands the junior r, o. T. c. here:
Capt Paschal graduated from West
Point in 1915 and was commissioned in
the regular army. AT the outbreak of
the war with Germany he went to Eu
repe, where he saw service in five ma
1or engagements, in two of which he
commanded battalion of the Third di-
vision, holding temporary rank of ma
1or The five battles in which he par
ticipated were the Aisne- Marine defen-
sive. ST. Mihiel offensive, Meuse Ar
gonne offensive, Aisne- Marine offensive
and Champagne Marine defensive 1t
was while lat Chateau Thierry that
Capt. Paschal, then "a, major, was
wounded. His decorN tons came for
service at that point. Capt. Paschal is
now member OF the Thirteenth in
fantry, and is here on detached service,
| His two assistants, First Sergeant A.
90, nd ~
| had years OF service In the army. Dur
ing the war Sergt. Carter held tenn
| porary commission as major, command
ing battalion, and Sergt Fitzhugh was
q captain, commanding a company.
Both know military tactics and discip-
| line, and are excellent soldiers.
Immediately following the war the
government, realizing the good that
military training has DONE ordered es-
| tablishment throughout the country of
4 reserve officers training corps, and de-
| tailed a number of officers ito instruct
students. The object is to provide mil
| itary training at civil educational insti-
buttons to qualify students as reserve
| officers.
1T! aims to give all students of The
reserve officers training corps thor
ough physical training to inclucate in
them respect for all lawful authority,
! to teach fundamentals OF the military
|
knowledge required to enable them to
serve efficiently in the various branches
of the military service" Such is the
war departments intention for : the
4 corps.
In carrying out the purpose Of the
organization the government has fur
nished complete equipment for each stu
dent valued at about 500, and consist
ing Of uniform, rifle bayPnet and ac-
coutrements.
FortyAfive minutes each day, between
! 2:45 and $3.50 pm. AT Central high are
given over to drill, setting up exercises
rifle practice and other maneuvers oil
! the soldier, at the conclusion of which
the cadets stand retreat" lowering this
flag. which marks the close of this
army's day, At Vocational high schoo
drill is from $3.50 to 9:15 am. Capt
Paschal and the sergeants are present
at all drills. ,i.
Workmanship being a necessary &C
complishment for a good soldier, rifle
practice is frequently the order of the
day. A range for use of reduced
charges WIN soon be completed at Cen.
tral high, school and all cadets viii par
ttcipate IN practices which will lead Z
the organizing Of a Memphis junior r
o. T. C. rifle team to participate il
matches with the r. O. T. c. of Other
Southern cities. In addition the tire,
students with highest scores will b.
dWhFOtu special prizes,
Near the close OF school, compIetitiv,
drills will be held under direction o.
Capt Pasehal Members of the win
ming company will be decorated with &
special ribbon, 30 be worn until tn,
next competitive drill Prizes will b.
given each member Of the compan!
having the best gallery practice record
The Memphis corps has been organ
ICED but little more than a year. having
started in February, 1919, by Col. Frost
L. S. A., retired In September, 1919
Capt Paschal relieved Col. Frost a,
commander
Capt Pascha soys Che junior r o
r. s. is one Of che greatest outgrowth,
OF the late war, and to be a member o
1t is rare privilege. In cities ant
schools whore the proper interest is no
shown the government Is quick to with
draw the concession and demobilizes tn,
corps without ceremony by recalling OF
ficers and enlisted men and talking VI
ahe equipment OF each cadet. On tn,
whole, he says, the students here ar,
much interested and are showing VI
exceptionally well.