Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
ARMY.

The report OF the Army Personnel
Board. headed by Maj. Gen. Mason
NJ. Patrick. u. s. A. retired. now
that it has been submitted TO the
consideration OF Congress. Is being
carefully studied by every commits
stoned officer In the Regular Army.
The two essential problems confront.
ing the board were: First. the de.
STABILITY, practicability and necessity
Of changing the promotion list. and.
second. the improvement OF the pro-
motion system Of the Army In such
manner as to avoid ar ameliorate
conditions that threaten the efficiency
of the commissioned personnel. The
board deemed Il advisable TO coniine
the number OF colonies and lieuten-
ant colonies to definite limits. as pro.
motion 10 these grades upon length
OF service would at times he pro-
ductive OF excessive numbers that
could not he readily utilized. The per-
centage Of majors Is for similar rea-
sons confined within definite limits.
Section - of the boards proposed
legislation contemplates that the sue
cessors to the present incumbents OF
the Offices OF chiefs or Infantry, Cav
airy. ffeld Artillery and Coast Artji.
major generals OF the line detailed for
said duty. ii being the opinion OF the
board that the present system OF ap-
pointing colonies as chiefs OF these
five branches In not conducive to the
same successful results which would
be obtained by the detail OF ior
generals OF the line Ia these offices.
II In not believed that any feasible
promotion system can he devised
which will entirely relieve tho stag.
nation within the World War hump,
consisting OF some 800 officers, or
about one.halt OF the total number Of
promotion list officers. all now In com.
pany grades and varying by less than
two years In length OF service. How.
ever, "A promotion system which In
surea officers Passing In the grades OF
hrst lieutenant. captain and ma or
after reaonahle length Of service In
the next lower grade does appear
feasible and will do much Ia relieve
the situation, The promotion schedule
recommended by the board Tn the
grades Of first lieutenant. captain AMI
Jor In upon completion OF I. 10 and
~ years or service. respectively. In
the first two OF these grades no lumita.
ton upon members therein IL deemed
necessary, the hoard believing that the
Army can readily accommodate itself
To a proper utilization and training ot
whatever numbers may result. In the
grade OF major the board iinds need
of limits that will insure the minimum
number OF ma jors required and that
viii prevent any excess over the maxi
mum that can be suitably utilized and
trained. Thus promotion To this gtads
upon completion Of II years OF service
individuals reaching tho grade before
or after That period of service.
the board was unable Ia discern any
hecessity for continuing tho separate
limited hnd unlimited retired lIhts aud
recommended their consolidation, Any
arbitrary restriction upon voluntary
fetlfements In contrary To the prin
eiples that the hoard believed should
govern In maintaining u fair rate of
promotion In the Army, Under pres
ent laws an officer has right 10 ~.
tifement, if he applies. oniy In ease
he haa served 40 years, This law Is
practically imperative, as most ON
GERS arc near the age Of Ill years when
they have completed 10 years Vt nerN'
ice. The boards recommendations
would give the riaht of retirement 10
any officer who applies when he has
served ia az more wears such retire
menta would serve tn increase tho vol
untary htlrltion aud would afford an
avenue Of honorable voluntary termi'
nation NJ active service tn those OH
eers who. FOR any reason. desire "a
take advantage OF H.
Tho hoard also recommended The az
ndintmsnt oT u general personnel
board by the President to consist oI
fiee general officers of the iine not he
A. .at tit.A
primary function Ut this hoard will he
to prepare tho eligible iiat uf enlonols
Of the line deemed qualified by the
hoard for appointment as hrigadler
general of the line. u list 1T ooianels NJ
the Air torns, Engineers. signal
ctaps. Adiutam General Judge AaVa'
cate General puartetmaster Corps,
tiuanes Department. Ordnance Dc
palt,nent anu Chemical Warfare sew