Evening star., 1935-08-18
Guard Takes Changes :.
In Plans in Good Spirit
Personnel Disappointed at Change in Orders,
But Will Make Best of Training
at Simms.
at Sinnnns.

, facilities Of direct use and benefit. We
shall also be enabled to complete our
range firing schedule thoroughly be-
fore the end Of the target year. We
shall carry out in every possible de-
gree the instructions in our original
orders for training under field condi-
tons. Enlisted men will be housed
in pyramidal tents, one squad to each
tent. Cooking will be done in out
door ranges and men will probably be
fed under temporary outdoor mess
halls consisting of tent flies stretched
above wooden tables of sufficient ca
pacity for one company.
In accordance with existing train
ing schedules, the first week in camp
will be devoted to the training and
instruction Of the separate units. In
keeping with this policy the 12lst
Engineers will emphasize specially
both individual and group training, to
include physical training, scouting and
patrolling, combat principles gener-
ally, and known-distance firing. Mill
tary engineering will include tactical
and technical problems in the field
with classes in trench construction,
demolitions, barbed wire entangle-
ments and the construction and repair
of bridges and roads. We shall take
advantage of this situation to develop
our skill in what is known as con-
struction in war This is a quick,
adequate, but rough type of construc-
ton of various types of buildings. shell
ters, roadways and other physical in
stallations to meet the needs of the
situation in a minimum time and
with a minimum Of expense. We ex-
pect to make use Of the opportunity,
the supplies and the personnel we
shall have available to construct new
! and useful additions to the permanent
equipment at Camp Simms, and thus
be able to look back on the unexpected
developments Of today as having been
Of some special and permanent benefit
to the National Guard Of the District
Of Columbia. Muster and inspection
will be held next Saturday.
Special groups will be formed and
instruction given in defense against
chemical warfare, defense against
aerial attack, and in first aid. Schools
in mapping and sketching, map re-
production and photography, and me-
chanical drawing will also be ar
ranged.
Maj. Roy will concentrate on the
instruction of his troops as infantry
as well as exercising them in such
branches of their specialties as our
facilities afford. We shall probably
have the ceremonies Of guard mount
and evening parade or review daily
We shall have concerts by the band OF
the 12lst Engineers each evening.
Officers of the State staff and the
District of Columbia will be assigned
to their specialties at Camp Simms
Col. P. G. Nevitt, adjutant of the 29th
Division, will function as camp adju-
tant at the Congress Heights encamp-
ment. Maj. George J. Allen, State
surgeon, instead of being detailed with
l04th Medical Regiment, will be as
signed as surgeon of the 29th Divi-
sion Special Troops, Camp SimmS.
Maj. James r. Lusby will be camp
finance officer. Capt. Fletcher F.
Bernsdorf will be camp quarter mas
ter. handling supplies and transporta-
ton. Capt. Ralph L. Walker will be
camp Judge advocate. Capt. George
Evans will be camp utilities officer.
Capt. j. c. Jensen will be camp ord
nance officer in general charge OF
rife range operation and safety pre-
cautions.
For recreation the athletic officer
Of our regiment, Capt. C. Earl Smith
son. has organized boxing and vres-
ting tournaments. There will also be
base ball games and a field meet in
which each man will be given the
opportunity to compete for his COM
pany in some kind of sport. 1t is a
regimental tradition to observe the
first Wednesday in camp as 12lst
Engineers Regimental day. At a spe-
c1al parade the new men serving their
first year with the colors are given a
place Of honor. instructed in the his
tory Of the organization and are for
n1ally presented to the colors.
Il would emphasize as I did at the
outset that this is your National
Guard. Behind the healthy enjoy
ment We get out of open-air life
and a change of occupation lies the
serious and important business of
training for defense. We belong to
this area in peace: we shall be as
signed to it doubtless at the beginning
Of any emergency. We want you to
understand something therefore about
this service Of yours in which we are
all engaged. With your active sup
| port and intelligent cooperation we
shall be far more fit to maintain the
military traditions of the Sd Corps
Area and be better prepared in every
way for our military and civilian
duties in this section where we all
have our daily occupation. our families
and our f1resides."
The following have been designated
as members of the team which will
represent the local militia at the ma
tional rife matches to be held at Camp
Perry. Ohio, September ! to Septem-
Der 19:
Capt. Just c. Jensen. Ordnance De-
partment, State Staff, team captain
and shooting member; Sergt. Henry
M. Boudinot. Company E, 121st En-
gineers, team coach and shooting
member; First Lieut.. Joseph F. Fitz-
gerald. Headquarters and Service Com
pany, 121st Engineers, range officer;
Capt. Fletcher F. Bernsdorff, Quarter
master Corps, 29th Division, range
| officer, and the following members:
| Second Lieut.. James D. Tanner, Com
pany D, 121st Engineers; Staff Sergt
Harry B. Parsons, Company B, l2lst
Engineers; Sergt. Walter E. JeSsop,
Company A, 121st Engineers; Sergt.
Theodore L. Harrell, Ordnance De-
partment, State Staff; Sergt Gilbert
L. johnson. Company E, 121st En-
gineers; Sergt. James r. Mitchell,
Company A. 121st Engineers Sergt.
Raymond L. Taylor. Company D, 12lst
Engineers; Sergt. John M. Crandall,