Evening star., 1939-10-22
ID. G. Guard Officers Study
Winter Field Moneuver Plan
Seven Doys Of Comp Work
In Comp Foee MiIitiumen

National guard omcerS are civ.
ing deep consideration to the plans
Of the War Department to intensity
the armory and field training sched-
ule Of the local militia units, It was
indicated 1t brigade headquarters
last week. There are many prcb-
lens to be s,.rmounted before the
matter Is worked out, the most Sc
rious Of which having to deal with
the orders for seven days of field
training between now and January
81.
This training period Is one half
Of the time usually allocated an
pually for the troops to 60 into
the field for their annual encamp-
ments, and they now face q winter
field training period. Although the
War Department has indicated that
the time does not have to be taken
all at one time, officers are Of the
opinion that to be effective that
at least two days vii have to be
taken at one time, and this during
week-ends.
While the heads Of the individual
units here have been asked to make
recommendations to the brigade
headquarters as to the next time
to take their units out when 1t
would be most effective from q
training result, already they are
pondering the uroblem Of how to
get all or even most Of the men OF
their units out on week-ends, be-
cause 1t involves many of them
getting excused from their civilian
employment. The matter in the
summer training period is compar-
atively simple, as many take their
annual vacations, except Govern
ment employees, who get military
leave. which does not count against
their annual leaves. It Is those In
private employment who furnish
the problem.
With the half holiday In the
Government beginning at o'clock
on Saturdays, 1t would take nearly
a couple Of hours for the men to
get to their armories and prepare
for the march or transportation
to the scene Of field activities and
by the time they got settled 1t
would be night. They would have
a short period Of maneuvering on
Sunday morning and perhaps for
a brief period In the afternoon,
when 1t would be time for them to
return to the armories. The ques-
ton also has been raised as to how
many men might be expected to
give their week-ends for winter
field duty. The belief was expressed
that the best results undoubtedly
would be obtained by getting the
troops into the field for a full week
at time.
On top Of this field training period
which has been ordered, additional
drills have been directed in the
plan to whip up the national defense
program. Between now and Janu-
ary 81, the units are to have two
drills each week. It. Is problema tical
how many men could be expected
to give two nights . week to armory
drills. But the problem is with the
omcers who are expected to work
out come system and report to bri-
gade headquarters, where, after the
reports are in, some attempt will be
made to coordinate the training so
that large enough units can be sent
out. In order that the field officers
may get training with the troops. it
would be necessary to send out ba-
tallions. at least, and regiments
would be preferable, as 1t was ex-
planned that the field ofiicers obyi-
ously could obtain little training in
their duties If just one company were
out at one time.
The matter Of shelter Is not a
serious one for the troops here, as
barracks are available at Camp
Simms, and the War Department
has even authorized the use Of
quarters at regular Army posts for
field service where it is available.
1t is not contemplated that the men
be Quartered in tents during these