San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-12
Training Camp Movement Has
Made Big Steps in 10 Years

kitchens used by the Confederate
veterans during their encampment,
was discovered a supply of hams.
beaten biscuits and canned goods. 1t
was due only TO this supply of food,
obtained accidentally. that the camp
subsisted during the last days Of
training. Even then it was. only by
demobilizing the camp before lunch
on the final day that much en-
barrassment was averted.
Even though this camp was held
on a small scale and without proper
equipment, its success was apparent
to the War Department, and the
following year four camps for train
ing citizens were ordered. They were
held at Burlington. Va, Ludington,
Mich, Monterey, Cal, and at Ashe-
vile, n. c. Due to limited appro-
priations, the camps were not able
to admit nearly so many students as
applied for entrance.
Continue To Increase.
Until 1917, our entry into the
World War, the training camps in
creased in size and number, but it
was not until that year that the
policy of commissioning officers was
started, and commissions were grant
ed only to those who successfully
graduated from training camps.
Now the entire army organization
is cooperating in the civilian train
ing camp movement, and as q result
many changes have been made in
training methods, as experience and
forethought have directed. Detailed
reports and recommendation from
each camp are made each year to the
general staff at Washington, and
methods used in foreign countries are
carefully studied, to the end that
those attending civilian camps in the
United States are instructed in the
latest developments of the science of
war.
All through the year the general
staff is working on plans for the
next camps. They are assisted in
this work by officers appointed in
each corps area, and also by civilian
organizations, chief among which is
the Military Training Camps Associa-
ton, composed of public spirited bust
ness men.
Unlike the first camp held at
Gettysburg, several months before the
present camps open the quartermas-
ter corps begins work in prepare
ton for the arrival of the students.
Quarters are placed in readiness, re-
QUESTIONS are made for equipment,
and a special course of instruction
is given in the bakers and cooks
schools for the cooks who are to
prepare the food for the members of
the camps. Instead of making each
student pay n ration of % cents a
| day, the government provides a ra-
ton Of 20 cents a day for each
man.
Have Good Instructors.
As an illustration Of how the army
is pushing the training camps, for
the Citizens Military Training Camp
now being held at Fort Sam Houston,
officers from Eighth Corps Area
headquarters have been selected as
instructors. This group of instructors
is added TO by officers from all the
army service schools. Elaborate
plans of training are followed, and
specific number of hours are given
to each course of instruction. Col.
Charles c. Todd, commandant of the
student corps at Texas A. & NJ. Col
lege, is in charge of plans anil train
ing at the Fort Sam Houston c. NJ.
T. c., and Lieut.. Col. H. G. Viii
liams commands the training regi-
ment. Athletic officers are also on
duty and direct athletic activities in
line with instructions laid down by
the general staff.
The medical corps arranges for the
care of the health of the camp, and
in addition to the station hospital at
Fort Sam Houston. there is in the
camp area an infirmary where sick
call is held daily at 6: 10 a. m. Field
hospitals are established when the
students are in the field. There are
on actual duty with the students al
Fort Sam Houston four medical off
GERS and twenty men of the medical
corps.
Three chaplains and two hostesses
constantly on duty also contribute
greatly to the welfare of the camy
students.
A COOL, COMFORTABLE, CON
venient train for Dallas and For