Evening star., 1940-06-30
Training Orders Issued
For Moneuver Preparations
Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord Outlines
Details for Armory Work

An intensive, comprehensive pro-
gram Of training has been set down
by Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord,
commanding the 29th National
Guard Division for the armory
training of District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard troops, and the other
uni.s of his division, in order to
prepare them for the arduous field
service which they are to take in
the northern part of New York State
for the first Army maneuvers.
Gen. Reckord informed the unit
commanders to concentrate on
training for this field service. He
said all garrison and armory train
ing will be directed with view to
preparing for field service by devel-
oping technical and tactical prof.
cheney of the individual soldier and
of the smaller units so that all may
take their rightful place as men,
bers of fighting teams prepared to
employ effectively all weapons with
which they may be equipped.
Among the things which he
stressed is that of communications
particularly those between the air
and the ground. All sections he said
must be filled to the allotted
strength with men capable of per-
forming the required functions. He
directed that the men be made
familiar with the use of air-ground
codes. In this connection he also
pointed to the Importance of train
ing the message centers," in order
to obtain speed and accuracy.
Also in the training, he said, lead
ership and mobility must be drilled
into all members of the units, and
this was to be taken in connection
with the Importance of teamwork.
The training program also is to
include offensive and defensive
measures against mechanization, in
Guiding close-in defense of rear in
stallations, anti aircraft defense and
concealment from air observation for
troops, transportation installations
and mechanical deployments.
He said the principle of deccn-
tralization will be followed during
the preliminary training in order
to develop initiative and self-re-
lance in junior and nom commits
stoned officers. He pointed out that
preliminary training of the smaller
units, squad, section, platoon and
company, is an essential preparation
for the maneuvers. This also applies
to the training of stafTs.
Two units Of the local brigade hao
100 per cent attendance at their
weekly drills last month. They were
the Headquarters Company, 104th
Quartermaster Regiment and the
Medical Department Detachment,
121st Engineers.
The other organizations, in their
relative order follow, with per-
centages: Medical Department De-
tachment, 104th Quartermaster
Regiment, 9807; Medical Depart
ment Detachment, Special Troops,
29th Division, 9638; State Detach-
ment, 95.08; Headquarters Detach-
ment 29th Division, 9491; Head
quarters and Service Company. l2]st
Engineers, 94.70; Headquarters De-
tachment, Special Troops, 2stsl Divi-
sion, GALL; Company A, 104th
Quartermaster Regiment, 1926;
Company A, 12lst Engineers, 9I.08;
29th Division, Military Police Com
pany. 90l0; 104th Ordnance Com
pany, s914; Headquarters Company,
29th Division, 8779; Band, 260th
Coast Artillery, 87.30; Company F.,
121st Engineers, 8707; Company E.
121st Engineers, $3.50; Company B,
104th Quartermaster Regiment,
84.18; Company A, 372d Infantry,
83.43; Band, 121st Engineers, 1921;
Battery B, 260th Coast Artillery
5000; Company D, 121st Engineers,
81.81; Company B, l21st Engineers,
1852; Headquarters Battery, 1st
Battalion, 260th Coast Artillery,
8065; Battery E. 260th Coast Artil-
lery, 77.s9; Battery H, 260th Coast
Artillery, 76.44; Medical Depart
ment Detachment, 260th Coast Ar