The Washington times., 1922-06-04
COMP PETITIVE TO
CHOOSE BEST
COMPANIES
High Schools Declare Holiday.
Students to Throng Ball
Park to Watch Maneuvers.

n N Monday and Tuesday of
- this week the cadets Of all
Washington schools will at
some time enter the field of the
American League ball park on
Georgia avenue competing for
the coveted banner and high hon
ors that go with it.
Every cadet will reach the su-
preme moment when he realizes
the fruits Of his many hours Of
sweating and shivering while
training for the big day.
Competition on the field has
always been intensely keen, the
winning company usually being
chosen on the strength of a frac-
ton of a point. Judges will be
kept on tiptoe, so to speak, that
no error or meritorious perform
ance escape them.
STAKES ARE HIGH.
However, the rewards that will
go to the winning unit always
compensate the fortunate drillers
for their months of work. For
on the day after the results have
been announced. there will be no
school for those who have earned
awards; instead they will be ush-
cred about from school to school,
receiving congratulations and
being gorgeously feted in every
possible way. In addition, they
will have the satisfaction of
bringing home the bacon" as
1t has come to be called in the
military circles of the high
schools; in other words, the win
ners of first place will carry back
to the halls of their school the
drill flag, highest cadet award.
APEX OF YEAR.
No event is so looked forward
to, so prepared for, as the COM
petitive drill. Captains exort their
men to hard work for months in
advance trying to perfect each
detail connected with the ma
neuvers that will take place in
the contest.
~ One captain said near the be-
ginning of the year:
Men. I know the big day is a
long way off. but that is all the
more reason why we should hus-
tie now; the harder we drill now,
the more likely we will be of
stealing a march on the COM
panies Of other schools who have
not begun to be so active"
1t has been proven that in
great majority of competitive
drills which have bee1 held in the
past. companies have carried off
highest honors whose men worked
hard from the beginning of the
year. The colonel and all majors
are trying now to impress upon
men of the companies the iInE ort.
ance of detail. On this the drill
is often won or lost.
TO CHOOSE SERGEANT.
Carrying out the plan originated
hast year, Of decorating he hest
sergeant in the corps, and citing
him a distinguished cade7, brigade
headquarters recently issued orders
providing for his selection. He
will receive the same award-a sill.
yer medal and a gold star and
chevron sleeve device.
The system Of elimination, used
last season, will be put into effect
again. Company commanders will
choose their two best sergeants,
taking into consideration profic-
iency, service and character. Bat
talon commanders will eliminate
by competitive examination, all ex.
cept two Of these company selec-
tions. These sixteen sorgeants.
representing the eight battalions of
the corps will be examined by the
professor of military science and
tactics and such assistants as he
may appoint. One non-com from
each battalion will be chosen to
appear for the final test on the
competitive drill field.
The eight sergeants thus select
ed will face the board Of judges on
the afternoon Of the second day,
June 6.
Contrary to custom, a company
Of the medical unit will take the
field in the competitive this year
as a regular company OF the line.
The company thus to participate
will be M" of the Second Ieegi.
nent. Medical Unit, IN commaLd
Of Captain Hess.
Hess men will be under a slight