Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
District National Guard

Guard OF the District of Columbia, the
largest unit in the local militia, for Fort
Humphreys, Va, for the annual field
training period, which will cover two
weeks. Officers and men are getting
together their field equipment and other
supplies in preparation for the loading
on the truck train which will leave
about the middle of the week for the
Virginia Engineer post of the Army.
The Engineer outfit, including the
Medical Detachment, will occupy tents
during this encampment, and in estab-
fishing the camp they will get the addi-
tional training of putting up their can
vas homes which they will occupy while
in the field. The camp site. it was said,
is located in an unused portion of the
fort, between the territory occupied by
the post proper and the main highway
between washington and Alexandria.
For several years the local Engineers
have either occupied barracks at this
post or have gone to Cascade, Md,
where the tentage already was prepared
for them, having been used by the
Maryland National Guard prior TO the
arrival of the local troops in camp.
The wartime barracks at the Engineer
post, it was pointed out, have been RACED
to make way for the permanent con-
struction.
During the time that the Engineers
are in the field they will be put through
an intensive period of instruction which
in addition to the disciplinary drill rou-
tine, will involve much manual work in
the construction of bridges, field fortifi-
cations and similar building activities,
to say nothing of the demolition of
roads and other objects with high ex-
plosives
For the first time this year the troops
Will be taken out on a field problem,
which will involve their establishment
of an overnight camp in pup tents
This maneuver will require two days,
according to the program which has
baen mapped out, and has been provided
Tor under specific instructions from the
War Department. The entire regiment
VIII be required to participate in this
exercise. In preparation for the regi-
mental problem. the two battalions COM
posing the regiment will engage in, ex-
erciseS on Tuesday of the second week,
and this will be preceded on Monday
with company problem.
Inc training will be started on the
nrst Monday in camp with field fortifi-
cation construction, with rigging and
demolition work on the second day. On
Wednesday there will be construction
OF foot bridges across small streams and
the erection OF the more substantial
pontoon bridges. During the second
nall OF the week this schedule will be
repeated. All OF this work will be done
during the morning. while the close
order drills and officers schools will be
held in the afternoons. wednesday of
the first week in the field has been des-
lgnated in the program as regimental
cav. instruction in chemical warfare
VIII be given on Friday of the first week,
while Saturday afternoon will be de-
voted to physical training, which will be
IN addition to the usual morning set
ting-up exercises.
There will be field athletic meet on
wednesday afternoon of the second
week, during which individuals and
groups from the various organizations
VIII compete In various games for tro-
phles and prizes. On the last Friday in
camp there viii be demonstration bv
War-strength company and on Sat,Ir-
cay drill contest.
Reg,mental and battalion parades and
formal guard mounts will feature the
late afternoons during the period Of the
camp. - '--o
During the armory period, according
70 directions received from the head
4gua1rLeis OF the Sd Army Corps Area at
Baltlmore, training will be Conducted
py means of studies. conferences. man
problems and map maneuvers. When
ever practicable, the instructions state
neadquarters of units of Artillery and
Meoacal Corps will be brought into
THESE exercises and in connection with
the division command and staff eyer
;, cises, the division aviation will be uesd
10 a maximum. Stress will be laid, it
As further pointed out, upon supply in
connection with the tactics involved
In problems and exercises.
It Is further called to the attention
OF the Guard commanders that the
OASIS OF a successful target season is
thorough preparatory instruction and
the instructions add that before firing
single shot on the range every man
should complete the prescribed course.
including the tests. This should be
given during the armory training period.
The Importance of training units in
chemical warfare also is stressed and
this also will be taken care of during
the armory period. The plan, the in
Etructions continue, will include the
employment during several drill pc
IlooS OF officer and non commissioned
instructors who receive their instruc-
ton in a camp during the preceding
summer. The order stipulateS that the
instruction viii be made as practicable
as possible and adds that to accom-
pilsh this one mask for each officer and
enlisted man attending the drill is re-
CURED. Each regiment should be equip
PED with sufficient masks for one troop
battery or company, and the plan for
this training should include the rout-
ing OF masks from one unit to another
within the regiment so that all units
may have this instruction at some time
during the armory period.
During the field training period of
the militia, the corps area commander
emphasizes that thought energy and
training should be especially directed
to development of fire by all appropriate
weapons in preparation for action
against
ment OF craftsmanship and qualifica-
ton OF gunners, not only by Infantry
and Anti-Alrcraft organizations but by
each combat arm and with secondary
as well as primary weapons; actual
tactical use of tanks where available,
IN practical field exercises with other
Infantry organizations and maximum
use under present allowances of avail
able facilities and equipment in de-
velopment OF defense against chemical
warfare
During the field training period
schedules should include training in
scouting and patrolling; combat princi-
pies to include the company, troop,
battery or detachment carried to exer-
cises OH the ground tactical exercises,
squad TO company; services of amlnu-
milton, Intelligence, communications,
supply, camp sanitation, care Of sick
and wounded, personal and social n.y.
giene, marches, marc.l discipline, in
dividual cooking camp expedients.
The anti-aircraft actions. ground
troops will be instructed in the princi-
piles covering the delivery of effective
fire against enemy aircraft, and in
practical unit and self-protection
through the use of suitable formations,
concealment and camoufiage. It was
pointed out that the militiamen should
provide for their own security against