Imperial Valley press., 1927-01-12
Pv SERGT. L. E. LIGHTHILL,
TN Charge Ell Centre Recruiting
Station)


Tn Charge Ell Centre Recruiting
Station)
While the average citizen is fair
" we'll Informed rs to the life of
soldier during war, It is believed
that Il large percentage of them are
very mach in the dark as to tn"
cNurrienccs. allowances and oppor-
tuniticS afforded the fighting man
in time Of peace. The writer hav-
ing recently completed his fifteenth
Year as = soldier, during both peace
and war. has complied a few facts
and figures covering his period OF
service, and 10 his own amaZement,
discovered that hc had Jared much
better than many who had chosen
either professions.
lsuring the period Jan. /, 1912 TO
Dee. 81. 1926 travelled 10000 miles
through - states and eight foreign
countries. ii government expense,
was paid Il salary of :, 600, rcceiv-
ed S72j allowance for clothing, and
Tor medical and dental treatment
~ .000. | also received -, $3.50 in
honuscS.
find that the army is just what
you make it. and while there may
be few who manage to make
things very unpleasant for them
selves, these same men will invari-
ably carry on with like tactics
when they return to civil life. The
man IN uniform is Il great deal more
conspicuous 10 the casual observer
than the average man on the street.
1t is, therefore. an injustice to the
soldier to class them all according
to the actions of one. | had occas-
ion to serve four wears and eight
months in Il city where the troops
of nine foreign countries are gar
risoncd. Who was the hest paid
fed ani clothcdo Whose appear
ancc, behavior and manly sports
mau>lip commanded the respect of
allo The American soldier.
His most highly priced distin"-
tion, that of being the world $ best
paid and best fed fighting man re-
mains unchallcnged. His pay en-
vclore would pay eleven japanese
soldiers or its contents would pay
off Il Italian or % French men lat
arms. The meal placed before the
American regular would have to
suffice for Ii British, l.j japanese
~ Italian or 2.J French. Only
Great Britain approaches the Unit
ed States in the amount of pay al
lotted to the individual soldier. The
yearly pay per man is: United
States, $2j2; Great Britain, $40. 80,
Japan, SOB; Italy, $500, and France
f4.3s.
In addition the pension and re-
tirement privileges provided for the
soldier are very liberal. For each
month that a man serves the gov
ernment is laying away $s5 to be
placed on interest at per cent
when he is ready to retire. While
the word Army naturally brings
to mind discipline and "duties >
il has been found that while disci-
pliuc is to be maintained and duties
performed, the same rule applies in
nearly, If not all civilian enterPris
".. lnGsmuch as it is not good form
70 otter the General n suggestion AS
To how the war could be won, il is
.iAcwisc poor Judgment TO become
ZOO familiar with the general man
1gtr Of :: civilian corporation.
Life Made Enjoyable
Athletics form Il great part Of the
soldier ; life. Every effort IS made
TO provide wholesome athletic
amusemcnts. Games of all kinds
are arranged between different or
CARNATIONS and keen interest and
rivalry are maintained. Practical-
" ali posts have baseball, football
end bask ketball teams, 10 say moth
ing of volleyball, hockey, etc. Some
Of the best professional baseball
players have been developed in the
army. In addition, field meets are
conducted ar nearly all posts once
or twice each year and the army
is always represented at the Olyin'
pie games.
There are always various forms Of
amusement provided for the soldier
during lhclr leisure hOufs many AT"
to be found in tie Post Library
others hunting or fishing Dance
for the enlisted men are held quite
frequently. There are good moving
picture thcatcrs in almost every
post which the soldier may attend
At nominal price, usually 10 cents
Only first class films are shown.
schools are conducted at nearly
all army posts, especially during the
winter months, and each soldier is
urged, though not required to at
tend the one in which he might be
interested. The courses are usually
of 6 to : months duration and only
the best of instructors are employ
ed. Shops are also maintained where
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