Evening star., 1949-08-02
Faith in Cadet Corps
Expressed by a Former Captain
To the Editor Of The Star:
MISS !. P. A. B.

To the Editor Of The Star
Recently the decline of the high school
cadets has received considerable attention
IN newspapers throughout the city During
this period the School Board and the facul-
ties of the individual schools have taken
much-needed dressing down for their nom
support OF the corps and even antagonism
against it. Many of the school officials
have denied these accusations, but their
suggestions for building up the corps prove
their guilt even further. In my humble
opinion only one Of their suggestions would
build up the corps-that being completely
compulsory enlistment. I am dead-set
against that. Most of the rest are detri-
mental to the purposes of the corps as
most present and former cadets see them
1t has been suggested that the cadets
be made into an ROTC unit. Not only
would this harm the corps. but it would kill
it. Its place would be taken by an organ
ization which never could begin to offer
the advantages now offered. At present
the corps has two advantages yet to be
seen In any ROTC unit. First is 4 striving
for perfection which is accomplished to q
degree seen nowhere else much less in
the mediocrity of ROTC unit. Second
the student leaders are on their own The
military instructor is there to offer them
guidance and assistance, but he does not
tell them what to do. Thus the methods
OF teaching, the building Of spirit, the
handling of problems in the unit are the
responsibility Of the cadet leaders. In such
a situation they can and do attain
degree of good leadership found in few
other places. This leadership is not an
outgrowth of compulsion. for there is nothing
to prevent an irate cadet from quitting.
It springs from mutual respect of the
leaders and their men. Long after cadet
has graduated, he can return to find
little of himself still with his old unit.
Regret has been expressed that the efforts
of the corps are directed toward perfection
of drill team rather than a well-rounded
military unit. I have seen and felt disgust
at the classroom work oil an ROTC unit,
and it is my sincere contention that this
kind Of thing would do the corps more harm
than good. Students 60 to school all day
and spend much OF their time reading and
calculating. Were more of this added to
the cadet corps, imagine the consterpstio ton
Of the students and the corresponding drop
in enrolment.
The benefits Of cadet training have been
recognized for over so years. Every man
who enlists in the corps has an opportunity
to take advantage of the many situations
that are set up: the teaching Of organ
ization and administration, the opportuni-
LcS 1OI lcdUcISL ulSCIplAAC, ScA-COutIOl
and adjustment to proper restraints, re-
sponsibility, courtesy. patriotism and royalty
to the colors. No other high school activi-
ty can pretend to offer such advantages.
It has been my proud observation that
though the purpose of high school apparent
ly is to offer courses of study in prepara-
ton for future work. all the subjects studied
are not nearly as valuable as the few hours
Of work a week in the high school cadets.
- i~a~~y Ia IA -
taught academically, the lessons learned
through participation in the corps. am
sure, will always remain. All the revision
the corps needs is degree OF cooperation
from the faculty and encouragement. not
ridicule, from the student body. Even with
out these small favors the high school cadets
has been, is. and will continue to be
great organization. Discouraging conditions
have not downed US yet, and they never will.
ROBERT H. GIBBS. Jr
Captain, Company BAWoodrow Wilson
High School. ls4S-1SH.