Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-20

divisional history, the headquarters and
headquarters units Of the 29th National
Guard Division returned here yesterday.
The local troops, together with other
divisional units from the Militia OF
Maryland and Virginia which, together
with the local National Guard, make
up the 29th Division, for the past two
weeks have been at Fort George O..
Meade, Nd, working out command
post exercise involving an invasion by
Red Enemy" from the Chesapeake
Bay. The 2Sth National Guard Divi-
sion headquarters troops from Penn
sylvania also participated in the game,
which was carried out on an elaborate
scale, under the direction and guidance
of the Regular officers at the post.
During the greater part of the time
that they were in the field they were
required to live under conditions Simu-
lating war, with tents serving as the
message centers for troop movement
dispatches to be sent over telephone and
telegraph lines hastily laid along the
ground by the division Signal Company.
It was said that this Is the first time
that the goth Division has been called
upon to work out war problem on
such a gigantic scale. The various
brigade headquarters from Maryland
and Vigrinia were used in the problem,
which covered practically the entire
two weeks and involved several move
mentS of headquarters from one point
to another, with consequent transfer of
the communication lines.
The division troops were the first Of
the local militia contingent to take TO
the field for the annual training. Other
units composing the local Guard will
attend three camps at different places.
tn VHyf1 IA Ct
Regiment OF Engineers, which will
leave this city on August for Fort
Humphreys, Va, where 1t will begin
training for 9 period Of two weeks.
The Engineer regiment troops are
being prepared to take the field. Equip
ment is being checked over and prepared
for dispatch to the camp. This regiment
will be required to erect its own camp
this year at the Virginia Engineer post
and it will be located between the per-
manent base of the Regulars and the
entrance from the Richmond-W Washing
ton road, 1t was said.
The War Department has mapped out
O number of special instructions to be
followed out In the preparation Of pro-
grams for the training Of the Guard
both in the arFnory and in the field.
The training Of troops in movement
by motor truck Is specifically urged.
They also provide that schools for off,
GERS and non-commissioned officers be
conducted in each unit throughout the
arrnory and field training period. Dur
ing the latter daily sessions must be
held to prepare subjects scheduled for
training. Army extension courses are
offered to the militiamen, with instruc-
tons that they be utilized to the maxi
mum, supplemerting the instruction in
the troop schools. It was pointed out
that the courses offered In the Army
Extension School Service include prac-
tically all subjects in which proficiency
Is required in examinations for a COM
mission and for promotion, and examin-
ing boards for both these examinations
accept the certificates of completion of
subcourSeS in lieu of an examination
in the subjects to which they pertain.
Any officer or enlisted man of the
National Guard may be enrolled in the
courses Of his own arm or service by
applying to the corps area commander.
It also Is required that the training
OF specialists be conducted throughout
the training year. During the armory
period mess sergeantS and cooks win
receive instruction in the preparation
Of food; buglerS will be required to re-
ceive instruction or to practice q por-
ton of each drill period. Clerks, me-
chanics, artificers, messengers, agents,
communications and intelligence per-
sonnet will be required to function and
take training in their special duties as
well as disciplinary training.
Special attention, according to the
order, must be given to the subject of
mess management not only as q mat
ter of training, but also to reduce
causes for complaints in the ration al
lowance and the cooking and serving
Of meals. In every mess management
1t Is stated that schools should be es-
tablished, even to the possible detri-
ment Of some other instruction sub
jects.
Where range facilities are available
organizations armed with the rife, pistol
revolver or machine gun will be re-
qlIired to complete their range prac-
tice during the armory period. No in
struction in the preparatory exercises,
rife and pistol craftsmanship, except
for recruits and unusually backward
men, will be given in the field, and in
dlviduals or units which have not re-
ceived such instruction, including salts
factory completion of the prescribed
tests. will not be permitted to fire.
Firing during the field period will be
tice and such combat firing as is neces-
sary in connection with the execution
of small problems.
The Sd Corps Area commander points
out that each State Guard should send
q well trained team to the national
matches, and adds that q carefully
planned selection Of personnel by COM
petitions continuing throughout the
year will determine early the men who
have the necessary ability to merit con-
sideration.
It is stated that State authorities
may prescribe certain courses to be
fired at home stations and direct that
reports of each competition be submit
ted to the State adjutant general. The
standing of the various units showing
the names of potential match candi-
dates should be published to keep the
competitive interest alive. As further
incentive the possible opportunity Of
serving as o member Of the State team
should further stimulate interest. Such
competitions, the comma nder continues,
have the further beneftt of creating an
active interest 4 In rifle Workmanship
throughout the Guard, which results in
better shots and makes the selection of
a team less difficult problem.
To provide ultimate requirements for
staff offlcers of extended or World War
experience, division and separate or
ganization commanders will be required
to institute instruction for appropriate
officer material. 1t Is provided that
such instruction will be held. rs far as
practicable, through the armory period.
with such extension to the command
post and other exercises during the field
period as time permits.
That the Medical Department De-
tachment Of the l2lst Regiment OF En-
gineers will have more time for in
Strlction since the establishment of q
medical center, under the direction OF
Mai George j. Allen, was indicated in
a letter which Gen. Stephan sent to
the regimental medical unit on the an
nual inspections, in which he said:
THE commanding general Is pleased
to note the remarks Of the inspector
that q satisfactory state Of training has