The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-03-22
MORE ENGINEER
OFFICERS NEEDED
War Department Anxious to
Increase Reserve Quota by
Enrolling Former Enlist
ed Men

The war department is very
hopeful OF obtaining tho full quota
OF engineer officers in the Reserve
Corps. by enrolling competent en-
2ineers who during Tie world var
! served as enlisted men.
II is a well-RnoWn fact that.
during the early months Of our par
/ ticipation in the world war. enG:-
neers and others Of krow'n educa-
ton. ability. ard expci!cnc waiv-
cd the opportunity to obtain COM
missions and enlisted in the enSi-
ncer regiments that were being
! recruited for immediate service in
! France. Thus it happened that in
many Of these regiments 4 large
proportion OF the rank and 1ilc We're
I graduates OF colleges or technical
; schools. with all the qEaiifica lions
requisite for engineer officers.
In the event OF q future cnler-
.ency such men by reason Of their
: professional accomplishments COM
bined with their military expert
cnce would be of incstimablc value
rs engineer officers While il is
truc that even though these men
may rot now enroll in the Re-
serve Corps. they would como for
ward in time OF need, their value
would nevertheless be greatly en-
ilanced should they accept com
missions now, for by this means
they would keep in touch With
military Developments.
The present project for six vol
unteer field armies for the national
defense calls for an ultimate
strength Of 5000 engineer officers
The present total. including regu-
lar army. national guard, and or
ganiZed reserve, is less than 1000
1t is the policy Of the war depart
ment. 70 enroll in The ensinee.
section OF the Officers Reserve
Corps those who served as enlisted
men during the late war. provld-
ed that they have the technical
qualifications 20 warrant such APP
pointmenE. They will be appointed
j., grades commensurate with their
positions and responsibilities in civil
life. Men of this type can be en-
rolled in the higher grades without
affecting in any degree the APP
poin;acrt as second licutenants OF
the young and inexperienced grad
yates Of the =. O. T. c. units OF
our universities.
In considering applications Of en-
listed men for commissions in the
Engineer Reserve Corps. examining
boards viii exercise Il wide. dis
erection and will give great weight
10 professional ard technical abil-
ity rather than a detailed knowl-
edge OF military regulations. Can
didates for appointment viii be eX-
ipectcd to demonstrate by theii
mast achievements and present
worth that they have the capacit!
to adapt themselves 70 the mill
tarv system should occasion arise
but they VIII not be rejected be-
cause OF present unfamiliarity With
military subjects alone. Officers sc
appointed viii be given an oppor
tunity 10 receive the necessary in
struc;ion in military suhjects be
tor:. they are called upon for ac-
,ual service in their grades or be
fore they are eligible for promo
ton TO the next higher grade.
detailed information may be has
by writing TO the Chief Of EnSi-
necrS, Washington, j. C., or 10 the
: Corps Engineer at the headquar-
ters of any of the nine corps areas
into which the counflv- is divided