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Show i SPEEDING UP TRAINING I OF OUR BOYS. i i Early in the war, when the need of quickly expanding the military establishment estab-lishment of this -country was a problem prob-lem of no small magnitude, the Standard Stand-ard proposed the incorporating, without with-out delay, of the physically fit of those called by the draft, into an army to be trained at home. This plan, in a modified form, Is now being worked out, under the sanction of Provost HnroTiol flnnnrol Prntrrflnr liv RiiTfnnn General C- F. Stokes, U. S. N., retired, assisted by a number of prominent eastern men. The Standard favored incorporating these prospective soldiers into an organization, or-ganization, and paying them for this time given to military preparation, The only difference between the soldier sol-dier actually in service and those undergoing un-dergoing preliminary training would bo that the inducted would be srmt to cantoments, while the others would receive their instructions In their home towns. How the new plan is to be worked out is thus explained by Surveyor General Stokes: "The work Is to be carried on through the local draft boards Jn each state. A local captain will be appointed appoint-ed by each board to organic the drilling of tho registrants in his particular par-ticular district. Associated with him will be a local physician and a local clergyman, to assist in building up the physical and moral welfare of the men.. "As the stimulatiag influence of 'community spirit' Is considered most desirable, the local caplnuu will utilize uti-lize for their registrants all the local agencies already established clubs, churches, synagogues, fraternal organizations, organi-zations, etc. Helped in these ways, the men will go to their cantonments in efficient, organized bodies, rather than as a disorganized rabble, and with a spirit of self-reliance and com-radship. com-radship. They will go with their own friends and neighbors; men with whom they have drilled shoulder to shoulder and know. "The instruction given the men is to be elementary and uniform throughout through-out the country. It will comprise only the simplest evolutions, with particular particu-lar stress upon military courtesy. A general supervision of this instruction for uniformity and efficiency, will be Inaugurated by the proper federal military authorities. "Although the movement is a strictly strict-ly volunteer one, an absolutely serious spirit will be required of all registrants regis-trants who wish to take advantage of the drill. A pledge of loyalty and 'strict military obedience will be required re-quired of each man. ' "Army camps, naval stations, and military organizations throughout the country will supply competent drill instructors, and drills In armories, public halls, etc., two or three times a week, lasting about one hour and a half, will be started immediately. "This preliminary military training is to be absolutely free to .all those who wish to enroll- Men who take advantage of it before being called to Camp will have an excellent chance of promotion. Such men as demonstrate demon-strate fidelity and proficiency will be given certificates of merit for presentation presen-tation upon arrival at camp. These certificates, although absolutely unofficial, unof-ficial, and not entitling the registrant to any favors from the military authorities, au-thorities, will at least be an index of what he has already accomplished and his qualifications as a potential noncommissioned non-commissioned officer." oo |