Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-09-02
and management.
Though motto,

maintain a large number of horses and
mules. The recent war emergency
showed how difficult il Vas to secure
the proper kind Of horses and also how
comparatively few men taken from
CIVILIAN life were capable Of looking
aiter these animals after they had been
purchased by the army; therefore, for
economic reasons alone the army is
JUSTIFIED in providing breeding stations
at which men in the army are taught
now 10 breed, raise and properly de-
veiop the right kind of horses and
other animals that are best adapted to
the various forms of army work Many
OF the camps, especially those with rifle
ranges, have large areas Of farm land
this land is being made available as
productive farms upon which is be-
ing raised food product for the army
horses and mules. The expense item
TOT such large maintenance in a
camp is no small one. At every camp.
therefore, where it is practicable to
raise food products, the army under-
taking is of considerable Importance
economically.
The instructors in these army schools
are qualified teachers either drawn
from the military establishment or are
civilians, and in every case are ap-
pointed by the camp or post COM
mander.
The method of instruction in the
army schools is an interesting feature
and considerably different from that of
civil schools. The majority of the en-
listed men have often less than an 9Th
grade education when they Join the
army. AT the same time they are past
lS years of age and have, had more than
the ordinary experience of school
children, so that the current school
methods are not adapted to their In
struction. During and since the war
the army had developed, for the pur
pose of meeting this unique situation,
the system known as the "applicatory''
method, in use in the general educa-
ton courses as we'll as in the vocational
courses. Men are given Jobs or
projects TO work out under the super
vision of competent instructors and the
soldiers proficiency is measured not
by the time he spends on his work but
by his progress in completing the as
signed problem. The man is given
chance from time to time not only
to tell what he knows but to show what
ne can actually do. The personal
equation counts for everything in the
army schools and the man with ability
is able to proceed rapidly and push
ahead of his less alert associates.
More than 100 different courses OF
study are now available to the men who
enlist in the Regular Army and 5000
classes are being conducted in these
courses, with approximately 100000
students in attendance. The sub.
jects taught in the different camps
vary in number from 10 to 40 and the
instruction in the overseas depart
ments.
! The army school training will no,
only qualify man for definite &C.
cupation before his return to civil
life and thus fit him into industry, but
it will make him better citizen and a
predetermined man in every way. II
will bring to thoroughly practical and
industrial training the culture that can
reasonably be combined with such
training.
You will be interested in knowing
how wholeheartedly the Secretary OF
War, himself from West Virginia, is
behind this great educational under
taking. In letter written to the head
Of one Of the National Welfare or
CARNATIONS. the Secretary's vision oil
the mission Of. the New Army Is
presented:
1--WE are building an army on a new
plan, and propose to make it not merely
a military force organized and kept in
readiness for the defense Of the nation
, but great educational institution into
: which mothers and fathers Of the coun-
try will be glad to see their boys 60
, because, frst, OF the patriotic spiri,
which service will engender; second
because of the educational opportuni-
| ties it will offer, and third, because Of
the democratic fellowship which as.
ISOLATION in it will entail. This is ad.
/ mttedly new form of army organiza-
ton, but happily the thing has been
done under our eyes and we have only
to select and preserve the elements
which have demonstrated their useful
ness and value. Concededy, these