The Apache sentinel., 1943-09-17
An EditorioI-
Be q Good Soldier, Make
Yourself Responsible
By COLONEL E. N. HARDY
Post Commander

Editors Note: The editorial below this paragraph
is reprinted because of its previous fine reception and
because of its strong lesson brought with refer
enece to the conduct of soldiers which needs contin-
Gus reminding and application.
Success in creating machine or building an Army
depends upon the degree of perfection of the COM
ponent parts 1t is impossible to have good ma
chine unless every part wheel and cog performs
the assigned functions according to the master plan
for use of the machine as a whole
The same is true of an Army. What makes any
military unit valuable in combat in any other mil
itary activity the qualifications individuals
who compose that unit 1t is question of INDIVID-
UAL RESPONSIBILITY to whether or not we are
a good outfit or just mob! Many soldiers do not
grasp this basic idea in their conception of things
We have in our Army today thousands of men who
do not accept individual responsibility They are
more of burden than help in our War effort
1t seems reasonable that when man is called to
arms in the defense of his Country should expect
htm to understand his individual responsibility as
soldier to the extent that he will do fair Job in we
might policing" himself. is not expected that
he be military genius even perfect model as a
soldier. But his personal conduct and his receptive
ness to learning the job of soldier should be of high
enough degree that he is at least an asset instead
of a liability.
Simple Requirements
Those things required of the individual soldier to
make him real asset in the building of our Army
are simple in their nature and need only the con-
sclentlous effort of an average American to accom-
plish. few of these will be enumerated First a
soldier should control his personal conduct and habits
so as to be physically fit He should avoid getting
sick or hurt. In both cases. it is often the result of
carelessness and stupidity
sick or injured is not only of no good to the
Army but he is burden because he REQUIRES several
other people to take of him. Soldiers in large
numbers are continuously absent from duty on ac-
count OF Venerea diseases Any soldier who contracts
Veneral disease is guilty of unpatriotic act be-
cause he is deprvng the Country of his services dur
ing the time he is sick The sickness could have been
avoided either by abstinence or by taking prophylactc
treatment within the prescribed safe period of time
Protect Yourself
IT we could accomplish with the troops at this Post
just that correction in the personal conduct of
men, it would be of enormous benefit in preparation
for Therefore soldiers abstain from illicit sex
ual intercourse If you won't do that at least take
the free prophylactic treatment provided for you
within the prescribed length of time.
Another individual responsibility that soldiers con-
tnuously fail to meet is the matter of liquor Nothing
but misfortune invited by excess drinking drunk
en- man is temporarily insane. But according to law
he is responsible for every he commits no matter
how drunk he may be. Consider the obstruction to
our War effort and the personal grief brought on SOL
dlers by their continued over-ndugence in liquor :.
To mention few of the misfortunes of such
nature that have among the soldiers of this
Post are: fatal automobile wrecks killings and .
lesser offenSeS but which involve dismissal from the
Army and pententary sentences. Therefore soldiers
the pest thing to do is not to drink strong drinks
The next best thing is be temperate in the use of
Continued On Page Five)