Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-20
Gen. Marshall Warns
Against 'Pampering'
OF individuals
Calls on Commanders
To Proceed With Welding
Army From Citizens
BY HAROLD B. ROGERS.

Warning that there is to be INC
pampering of individuals" Gen
George c. Marshall. Army chief OF
staff, last night called on command
ers of the four field Armies to pro-
coed with the high purpose OF weld
ing from the elements OF the
American democracy a disciplined
seasoned fighting force capable OF
defending the nation
First in importance, he declared
will be the development of a high
morale, and the building OF a sound
discipline based on wise leadership
and a spirit of mutual cooperation
throughout all ranks"
Pointing out that the selective
service system presents special
problem" for all parts of the Army
the chief of staff declared:
1T will tax the skill and wisdom
of leaders of all ranks to mold these
citizen soldiers into a UNIFIED Army
prepared to accept cheerfully the
rigors of long hours of training, the
fatigue of marches. and the discom-
forts and hardships OF service in
the field"
G.. H. @. Issues Instructions.
Meantime. training instructions
were issued by G. H. @. of the Army
from the Army War College. They
went out from Maj. Gen. L. J. NC
Nair to the commanders of the four
armies. detailing methods OF pro-
cedure for the intensive training of
the rapidly expanding Army. Army
commanders are being divorced
from their command of corps areas
it was explained, and now come d.
rectlv under G.. H. @.
The success of the selective serv-
ice system" declared the instruc-
tons. "as we'll as the efficiency OF
the Regular Army and the National
Guard. will be rightly gagged by the
public according to the skill with
which these elements of the Army
receive. train, and amalgamate into
their ranks, the selective service
trainees they may soon receive
Speed in preparing units for this
task is imperative"
In his letter to the commanders OF
the four armies Gen. Marshall
pointed out that the United States
has embarked on an extensive
peacetime program Of national de-
Tense. The President has provided
the leadership" he went on. "ano
Congress. with the support OF the
American people. is granting the es-
sential funds. Industry and labor
are rapidly mobilizing to produce
munitions. The National Guard is
taking the field. Recruits are re-
porting to their regiments in un-
precedented numbers. shortly to be
Joined by large numbers of theil
fellow citizens chosen under the Sc
lective Service Act. The preliml-
naries are over The task now loom
ing before us is the expeditions de-
velopment of unified. efficient
fighting force of citizen soldiers.
Calls Task a Privilege.
The Army of the United States
keenly aware of its great response
bility. assumes this task as pro-
found privilege"
Pointing to the importance Of high
morale, sound discipline and mutual
cooperation. Gen. Marshall de-
clared: Morale, engendered by
thoughtful consideration for officers
and enlisted men by their COM
manders will produce cheerful and
understanding subordination Of the
individual to the good of the team
This is the essence of the Amer
lean standard of discipline. and II
is a primary responsibility Of leaders
to develop and maintain such q
standard"
The chief of staff explained why
he thinks the selective service sys-
tenn presents special problem
The men selected for service,
he said, together with those now
enlisting, are representative OF the
citizen soldier who has always de-
Tended our Nation in the past. These
men come from all walks of life
with widely varying degrees Of edu-
cation, intelligence and native abil-
ity. They differ in racial character
istics, religion, philosophy, socia
training, physical development and
wealth.
Taxes Skill and Wisdom.
cit will tax the skill and wisdom
of leaders of all ranks to mold
these citizen soldiers into a unified
Army prepared to accept cheerfully
the rigors of long hours of train
ing, the fatigue of marches. and
the discomforts and hardships OF
service in the field. The officers
and commissioned officers who
will have charge of these men must
be instructed in advance concerning
every phase of their reception
equipment. care and instruction, and
the execution must be carried out
under the alert supervision of higher
commanders"
To accomplish this. the chief OF
staff declared: There must be no
pampering of individuals, no dis
tinctions between men because OF
their previous military experience
or condition of entry into the serv-
ice.
In spirit of mutual respect
and cooperation he charged, ''the
Army of the United States must now
proceed with its high purpose Of
welding from the elements OF the
democracy a disciplined.
seasoned fighting force capable Of
defending the Nation"
Two Training Missions.
Under present plans. it was ex-
planned by the instructions, newly
formed units of the Regular Army
and all National Guard units in
Federal service have two training
first, to train present per-
sonnet and units in accordance with
training programs in
13 weeks; and second, to train per-
sonnet to be received later.
The replacement center system is
being used. it was explained, be-
cause it gives results most rapidly
This system consists essentially Of
centralizing and specializing train