Evening star., 1923-11-18
THE CIVILIAN ARMY
BY LIEUT.. STEPHEN F. TILLMAN.
Organized Reserves-Naiiona Guard

Due to a misunderstanding, infor-
nation had gone out to reserve off,
;ers that they would be given two
ickets to the Marine-3d Corps Area
foot ball game to be played here
December L. AS there are 5000 off,
'ers in this area and this would mean
$4,000 tickets. this plan had to be
abandoned by the Army.
Word has been received by infantry
reserve officers that the infantry
training regulations covering the
subject of infantry drill. that have
,lready been published and distrib-
uted by the War Department. include:
T. r. 50-15. the soldier, instruction
iismoupted without arms: T. r. So
20. the soldier, instruction dismounted
with rife and automatic rife: T. r.
iuction: T. r. 420-50. Infantry drill.
The rifle squad, platoon and company
close order drilD: T. r. 420-60, In
'antry drill. the infantry battalion
:. r. 42o-s5. infantry drill, extended
order. the rife squad section and
drill. extended order. the machine
gun squad. section and platoon.
1t Is too early to estimate the scope
# service legislation that will bs
presented for the consideration OF
the forthcoming Congress. There
are, however. certain measures fol
he benefit and efficiency OF the Ma.
:ional Guard that have been on the
boards for long time that should
.eceive careful consideration.
The law provides that before g
NTot lN ~ -
or pay certain percentage OF
he enlisted personnel must be pre-.
ented and participate in q certain
number Of formations over a speciied
period.
In some instances It is most din.
'uIt to comply literally with this
revision and have all the men re.
whereas If there could be two or more
assemblies q week 1t is possible that
the required percentage could be
made up with little difficulty an6
the attendance record greatly in.
creased.
Another important subject thai
should be settled for all time Is the
matter Of commissioning the officers
Of the National Guard. Exhaustive
studies have been made on the sub.
iect and the law should be adjusted
so that the National Guard may pass
from a peace-time to a wartime or.
ganization with little or no read.
iustment and without having to re-
comm ission officers In the fedora
service.
The enlistment period in the Ma
tiona1 Guard OF one year imposes 6
burden Of recruiting on organization
commanders, for which relief SHOULD
be forthcoming. BY authorizing on'
to three year enlistments many OF tn,
troubles Of the situation would be re
lieved. Under the present law tn,
National Guard soldier may qualif,
for eight drills monthly, while thu
officer may qualify for only Ave
There is a demand for Legislation
that will permit the officer to Qualif,
and receive pay for the same number
of monthly drill periods as the sol
dier and there seems to be no goot
and sufficient reason why he shoult
not do so.
Another point that comes up IL
connection with the drill pay Is tina
OF allowing compensation for a frac
tended to cover drill periods at
tended during the remainder Of tn,
month following enlistment or foI
those attended during the month II
which the soldier receives his dis
charge.
considered are those to provide GER
tain limited mail franking privileges
the appointment of assistant dis
bursting officers for states havins
large National Guard forces; reim
bursement for travelling expenses an,
commutation OF subsistence for Off
GERS and enlisted men travelling OF
National Guard duty; to provide 70
a National Guard reserve: to author
ize warrant officers in the Nationa
Guard; to empower National GuarC
summary court officers to administe
oaths in connection with the admin