The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1929-12-06
A MoUNTIE IN THE MAKING

- W0 Wv * ~ IFIG "NNtiNa
In the y~esteryear of the Mount
ed, the recruit went through from
three to nine months training, the
length Of this period depending
entirely upon his aptness and his
ability to stand the ordeal. | can
not imagine a test of a man more
thorough, more exacting. AS l look
back now through the mist OF
twenty years of service, / see that
every requirement of the recruit
period had a motive back of it,
ever the jibes and practical jokes
OF the veteran policemen being
perpetrated with the intent OF
gauging the youngsters mental re-
action to misfortune Or embarrass-
ment. No recruit ever could
change the impressions of his
character left with his associates
during the formative months of
his first police training.
Up promptly at 8 O'Clock, there
was the hour at stables and
grooming the horses, followed by
breakfast. That meal over, the
first hour was devoted to foot
drill and musketry, and the next
to physical training. Then follow
ed an hour Of veterinary practice
or instruction in the criminal code
Of Canada. The latter included
lectures on the duties and powers
of a policeman, always given by
an experienced member of the
force. The recruit asked questions
and presented hypothetical situa-
tions.
Then came another hour of
stables. Stress was laid on the
care of the horse in the service,
for he was the troopers best
friend and his constant companion
away from the post.
The lunch hour was followed by
the trumpet sounding Dismiss
Stables, and the canteen was
opened. There we enjoyed a glass
of ale. Today the extent of the
recruits indulgence is a chocolate
bar.
At n O'Clock came mounted
drill. That was what the regula-
tons called the period, but in re-
aIity it was an hour of bareback
riding, u terrific ordeal, especially
for the "softes". 1t was during
this hour that the man without
stamina necessary to make a po-
liceman was singled out as effect
lively as if by verbal confession.
1t took fortitude without stint to
weather that test. Times without
number | have cen recruits re-
port to the hospital after the first
day of riding school, so sore they
squeaked at every step and q
patch of skin as big as a mans
hand missing from their upholst-
cry. Invariably the doctor sent
each back to the barracks with
this curt note to the sergeant
major: This man is bilking.
The sergeant-major forthwith
found some extra task for the
sufferers just because they had
p%osteriors. f:
After the riding school, there
we're two hours of fatigue, con-
;umed in cleaning out stables and /:
Icing chores. The recruits were /:
watched closely, and all the be- /:
jobs conceivable were as :
them to determine their :
capacity for details, the theory be- :
ng that the ones best qualified :
or the bigger jobs were those :
Who did the small ones well. :
There was one hour off before :
'vening stables, sounded at five :
After the evening meal, :
he recruits were free to do their :
yill-free, | say, unless it fell :
heir lot to stand twelve hours :
IL Sudl NQLy lidI hlShI hO iONi =
ruit spent more time walking :
ost during the training period :
han he put in altogether through :
ut the remainder of his enlist 3
lent. The agony of a day astride :
ne sweat-soaked bare back Of a =
tiff-legged horse, prolonged by a z
light of guard duty, quenched the e
of many a burning ambi- =
to become a Mountie. =
Lights out sounded at 10 O'Clock, =
nd all those off duty had to be <
their rooms and in bed. e
That was just an average day =
a recruit in the Royal North z
lest Mounted Police. =
Upon joining the service, the =
.)plicant signed his enlistment pa =
ers, took oath of allegiance, and e
asked if he waived his =
ights'. e
If the recruit answered in the q
he could purchase his =
scharge within three months by =
lying $50. His wage being 80 =
nts a day, he could, in other y
-
ords, get his room, board and =
othing for three months for SIS, =
e difference between the dis =
arge purchase price and his =
rnings. Those waving their =
yb+c mara piuau thair rod mi =
I'M forthwith. At the end of three =