Milford chronicle., 1922-07-07

army could be built up rapidly anC
effectually, for the officers of thi.
great force already would have beer
partially prepared to take hold OF
their individual duties, through train
ing and study in peace times.
1t is this principle of preparedness
of officers through gradual training in
times of peace, with view to insuring
efficient training, expeditions trans
portation, and avoidance of vast finan-
cial wastage in the face of another
war that is the keynote of the Reserve
policy.
President Harding has expressed
the idea in the following words: sour
present national defense law eStab-
fishes an economical and democratic
military policy thoroughly consistent
with our national traditions. 1t pro-
Vides for Il small regular army, to be
augmented by great citizen forces i'm
the event Of national emergency. This
is our traditional military policy. But
whereas in the past these larger war
forces have been eXtempOrized after
the occurrence Of an emergency (and
with enormous waste Of time and
mOney-milliOns of dollars and over
a year, in the recent war; bracketed
lines and underlineS preceding are
mine] the new law wisely provides
that the framework Of their Organiza-
tiOn shall be established and develop
ed in time Of peace, in so far as this
is practicable through the voluntary
service of our patriotic young men.
The Army Of the United States as de-
fined in the new law, comprises the
Regular Army, the National Guard
and the Organized Reserves Every pa
triOtic citizen should encourage the
Of these forces, each
within its proper sphere"
In the preceding paragraph the
President uses the words: "In the
past these larger war forces (the Re
serVes) have been extempOrized after
The occurrence of an emergency" 1t |
is desired to impress on our readers |
The significance of these words, and |
he intent of the present army policy
% insure against the vast evils of the
I'D policy, as far as this can be done
n peace times without burdening I'M
luly our loyal and intelligent civilians
If military age and abilities. The first
tep in this commOn-sense policy of
insurance against much of
he wastage, ineficiency and loss in
ident to war, is therefore: (a) plan
ling for the military organizations
hat will be required for war; (b) Sc
uring the necessary officers for these
rganizations. It is with this latter
ubject that we are directly concern
d, and in connection Herewith, the
pertinent questions arise:
(a) What qualifications must man
Ossess to make him eligible for a
as a reserve officer?
(b) What responsibilities must a
ian assume if he becomes a reserve
fcer?
(c) What privileges, pay, allow
nces, etc., go with a commission as
reserve officer? :
(d) How much time is required Tin
eace time) in the performance of the
lties of a reserve officer?
(e) How long does a reserve COM
issiOn last, and how is it renewed?
f) What grade (rank) does a re-
rive officer hold in peace time, if he
rs had prior service, and how can he
,cure promotion?
(g) What steps are necessary in ap-
ying for a commission as a reserve
fcer; to whom should application
made?
(h) Why is it the duty of men of
oper qualifications to apply for re-
rye commissions in peace times?
The answers to the above questions
Ill be taken up in a later issue or
is DaDer