Resource Center
On-Line Library
"Aye, aye, sir"; Melville - "present." It wasn't exactly regulation, but then we had just had our cigarettes, dice, and cards taken away from us at the main gate, and besides we had four years in which to learn. It gave promises of being a great life. Tents to sleep in, three meals a day - out of doors, and summer all around us. Soon we were writing home of the wonderful time we were having, and writing to friends that knew us not so well, that we were spending the summer on the Great Lakes. The truth is that none of us saw the lake before our first five weeks were up. Well, Proctor said he had climbed into one of the tall trees and had really seen the lake, but we decided that he had seen a stretch of blue sky instead.
One morning while undergoing heavy infantry drill in a most glorious hot sun, Melville decided that he must tell Tym about his girl back home. The chat was progressing nicely when our most "salty" drill master (whose walk would discourage the proudest gander), bellered out: "Youse guys, cut out chewin' de fat in de ranks." That seemed to be the turning point of all our glory. The next day we were quarantined for scarlet fever, rain set in and we had to eat nearly all of our meals in the rain, and Scott didn't have a letter from his girl for a week.
Our next move was to the main camp. We were paid off and given shore leave. Much could be said about this leave, but it is no doubt sufficient to say that it was the first leave we had had, and had spent five weeks inside of a rather high fence surrounding a small enclosure.
The main station - Oh, yes. "Movies" three times a week, talented May pole dancers now and then, and sometimes a concert on a sixty dollar violin. A real life beyond a doubt, but the joy of all joys was to stand by the gate as seasoned sailors and sing out in a loud clear voice when the new recruits came in: "What town are you 'rookies' from?" Of course there are other things that come to pass at the station that cannot be classed as pleasures. To be occasionally reminded that you are a "ham head," "clumsy ox," or "beyond repair," seems to be a direct insult to our dear professors at Nebraska who tried their best to make us fit for the world. It does increase our fighting spirit to a wonderful extent, however, and if we ever have the opportunity, a battered "tin fish" once belonging to the Kaiser will be the result.
With our troubles and pleasures and May pole dancers, we would not trade our places with the civilians for the best suit that Kline's could produce. We just jingle our little old thirty per in our pocketless trousers and hold our heads tilted to the skies.
HARKSON.
WARREN T. ROBERTS '17
The policy and general plan of the Third Officers Training Camp was quite similar to that of the two preceding camps. But the details have been materially changed due to experience gained in the previous camps and the weaknesses observed in some of the officers commissioned at these camps.
The policy carried out was to, First - pick those men in the draft army and from civil life who showed traits and abilities which would qualify them for officers, and, Second - to train these men thoroughly in the different branches and give them a thorough knowledge and understanding of those funda-
mental principles which are found essential in the making of young officers.
The training which the men were put thru was very intensive - far more than anyone who has not been thru it can realize. Examinations and qualification tests were given continually and the candidates were grouped in sections according to their ability. In fact every means possible was used to stimulate efforts of the men. They were very effective too. The men were continually on the go from early to late, straining themselves to the utmost to make good. The program allowed seven and one-half hours of sleep and the remainder of the twenty-four for work. The morning was occupied with classes, the afternoon with practical instruction and drill, and the evening was used for a study period.
The first and most essential thing the men were taught was discipline. This was absolutely perfect at all times. It was very hard for those coming from civilian life to learn and practice all the rules and customs of military courtesy at the beginning. The majority of the men came from the "service" and have already adapted themselves to the new life.
The next thing that the men were taught was what a good "calling down" was like.
The only branch of which I am able to write is the artillery. The other branches did not concern us, and we did not worry ourselves about anything that we didn't have to. The first two weeks were occupied by taking infantry drill, which was very dry, and the men were very glad to start on the artillery training. The following weeks were spent thus: First - the elementary formation of the green squad and their duties; Second - the formation of the battery; Third - we were instructed in horsemanship. This is where the fun began. We used the horses of one of the artillery regiments here. They were not the easiest riding horses in the world, and we were given nothing in the way of riding equipment, but a bridle and a blanket at first. Several of the men were pretty well bruised up after several days of riding and falling off their horses. Later we were given the regular equipment of saddles, harness and guns, with which we were taught battery drill.
The next stage in the training was that of field firing and conducting of a firing battery This was greatly aided by a very complete miniature terrain. It makes a wonderful imitation of real field firing. The candidates were given the position of battery commander, and targets of the terrain to shoot at. The candidate would then give his commands and data which he thought proper for the situation and by the mechanics of terrain he was shown the results of his shots. He would then continue to correct his firing until he hit the target. On artillery firing, it is very rarely possible to hit the target with the first shot that is fired. This is due to the fact that there is an error in the computation of firing data, an error in setting the guns, and an error in the shooting. Hence there must be a certain amount of firing for adjustment which only practice can teach. It was for this purpose that the terrain was built.
The last few weeks were occupied by long hikes lasting several days at a time, and the men were obliged to "rough it" just like real soldiers have to in the trenches. We were also given the opportunity to do some real firing. The battery was given 300 rounds of ammunition for the three inch pieces used in the field artillery, and we sure shot up the country around here. Our instructors were all officers from the various artillery units here at Funston, and were very energetic and capable.
The last two weeks of the camp were spent on army paper work. Some of the officers from previous camps were found very lacking in this respect, so the students were given a complete course in the proper handling, making out, and uses of the various forms of papers used in the army.
ROBERTS.
148
