Americus times-recorder., 1920-04-12
Letters From
The People

Editor Times Recorder, Americus, Ga.
Dear Sir: In times past the United
States Regular ARMY as the nucleus
of the nations armed forces, has
been our instrument of protection
against foreign aggression and do
mestic disorder. How we'll it has
been performed this two-fold func-
ton is matter of history.
Since the close of the World War,
the Army has enlarged the sphere
of its activity and assumed a new
role. The War Department has in
augurated a system of educational
and vocational training for the bene-
fit of enlisted men now in the ser
vice, and for those who may hereaf-
ter enlist. A man joining the Army
may now elect training in a wide
range of educational and vocational
subjects. If his academic education
has been neglected he may attend
school and receive instruction in the
common branches of education, or
take work in high school subjects.
The purpose of this work as set
forth in General Orders 100, War
Department, September Is, 1919, is
(a) to- train technicians and mechan-
les to meet the Army's needs, and to
raise the soldiers general intelligence
in order to increase his military eff
ficiency; (b) to fit the solder for
definite occupation upon his return
to civil life.
Heretofore, a man has been in no
position to earn living on complet-
ing his enlistment than he was on
joining the Army. The new system
of training remedies this. Henceforth
every soldier will be given an op-
portunity to learn trade or voca-
ton, and will thereby be enabled, on
returning to civil life, to put himself
and his family on higher plane of
living than any he has hitherto
known.
This system of training is an actual
operation, and is meeting with great
success. The enlisted men of the
Army are showing a splendid inter
est in the work, and have enrolled for
instruction in large numbers. On De-
cember 31st, 1919, out of a total en-
listed strength of 1926, there were
92,287 men receiving instruction in
subjects besides their military work.
: The last Congress appropriated ST.
OO0,000.0O to carry on the new sys-
tenn of training, and an equal or
larger appropriation will be asked for
the next fiscal year. Expenditures
I'm this fund are for the purpose
u purchasing equipment and supplies
of various kinds, and of employing
civi& instructors.
e Regular Army has taken its
place in time of peace as a great
educational agency, and as such is in
a position to be of incalculable bene-
fit to the nation through its influence
upon successive bodies of men who
enter and leave its ranks.
The enclosed booklet contains an
exposition of the work that is being
done by the Educational and Voca-
tional Boards at Camp Gordon. An
examination of its contents will show
what courses are offered and will give
some idea of the opportunities now
open to soldiers of the Regular Army.
Under the War Departments new
plan of allocating troops of the Regu-
lar Army to the various states for re-
crultlng purposes, units of the Fifth
Division at Camp Gordon have been
allocated to the following Southern
States: South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. 1t
is believed that this plan will result
in the creation of a definite interest
and attachment on the part of indi-
vidual localities in particular units of
the Regular Army.
Any assistance you may be able to
render in this connection will be of
benefit alike to the service and to the
nation, and will be highly appreciated
by those who are charged with the
duty of carrying to a successful con-
summation the new movement inaug-
urated at Camp Gordon and through
out the Army. Very truly yours,
PAUL 0. FRANSON,
Lieut.. Colonel, Infantry, U. S. A,
Educational and Recreational
Officer, Camp Gordon, Ga.