The first step upward from private, the lowest army rank, is to be made a corporal, and, after that one becomes a sergeant. A corporal wears two V-shaped stripes, on his sleeves. The V in each case is inverted. A sergeant has three such stripes. There are various sorts of sergeants--duty or line sergeants, staff and major sergeants, mess sergeants, supply sergeants and so on. The first sergeant is often called “Top,” and sometimes considers himself almost a commissioned officer. Sergeants and corporals are non-commissioned officers, and there is a great difference in rank between a commissioned and a non-commissioned man. A commissioned officer can resign, and quit when he wants to, but an enlisted man, or a non-commissioned officer can not. Commissioned officers are appointed by the President, and the commission carries a certain rank, beginning with second lieutenant. Each step upward means a new commission. The sergeants and corporals are appointed, nominally, by the colonel of their regiment, by warrant. “Well, then Pug had better look out for himself, if you’re going to have it in for him when you’re made corporal,” went on Jerry. “But say, it must be fun to be an officer--even a non-commissioned one.” “It is,” agreed Ned. “You get out of a lot of work that isn’t any fun, such as being the kitchen police, doing fatigue work like cleaning up the barracks and grounds, digging drains and the like, and when you’re on guard you don’t have to keep on the go--all you have to do is to keep watch over the other sentries.” “Fine and dandy!” exclaimed Bob. “Me for it!” added Jerry. “But that isn’t getting us anywhere just now,” said Ned. “I’m detailed for kitchen police this very day.” “So’m I,” admitted Bob, and, as it happened, Jerry was, too. When one is detailed to the kitchen police it does not mean that the young soldier has to arrest those who eat too much, or too little. In an army camp the cooking is done, in most instances, by soldiers detailed for it, though in some cases professional cooks may be used, such having enlisted or been drafted. Each day certain members of the company are named to help the cooks, of which there are usually three. The helpers are known as the “kitchen police,” and they do all sorts of work, peeling potatoes, washing the pots and pans, scrubbing the floors, waiting on table, bringing in coal and wood. This kitchen policing goes by turn, so no one man gets too much of it, or has to do it too steadily. It was the first time Ned, Bob and Jerry had been assigned to this duty, and they went at it without grumbling, which is what every good soldier does. Their many camping experiences stood them in good stead in this, and the efficient manner in which they went about their tasks in cleaning up the pots and pans drew a compliment from the professional cook. “We’ll know our soup comes out of a clean pot the next time we eat,” said Bob, as he gave the copper a final polish.