In submitting a proposed schedule of training it is fully appreciated
that conditions will vary greatly and any schedule must be suited to
conditions as they exist; it is doubtful if the one here proposed
would ever exactly fit. It is only offered as a possible help.
It is assumed that the colonel is thoroughly competent and that there
are several men in the command with some military training, such as
ex-regulars and national guardsmen and those who have had training
in a college battalion. This latter assumption is a safe one in this
country.
[Sidenote: Company Cooks]
It is very probable that every company will have a cook that enlisted
as such and knows something of the art. But handling the ration and
army cooking have features that are different from what he is used
to unless he has been trained in the army. The company kitchen must
be correctly run or training will be difficult. Discontent and a big
sick report are fatal to success.
The first thing, then, is to instruct the cooks and mess sergeants.
Some one must be found competent to do this and he must look after
the kitchens, correct mistakes and give instruction until they are
all running properly. The new captains must learn how to look after
this work properly if they do not already know. If the colonel can
find nobody else to do it he must do it himself. It must be done. It
is a very important part of the foundation upon which success must be
built.
[Sidenote: Paper work]
The necessary records and papers should be properly kept and made,
both at regimental headquarters and in the orderly room. This is
important but not so much so as the kitchens. The mistakes in paper
work only cause annoyance and confusion off the battlefield and
possibly will lose somebody some money; but the other causes loss of
life and prevents efficiency. This work should be properly taught.
Some competent non-commissioned officers or officer should be given
the task of instructing the clerks and first sergeants. It is not
difficult, at least the essential parts, and it should be promptly
attended to upon organization but so as in no way to interfere with
training. An ex-regular sergeant major, first sergeant or clerk
would be very valuable here. So far as possible such a man should
be made adjutant of every new regiment of volunteers. His value as
an instructor in many things would be great and he would save the
colonel much trouble and annoyance.
[Sidenote: Band]
From the first day of training the band should be turned over to
the surgeons for thorough instruction as auxiliary sanitary troops.
At least two hours a day should be devoted to this work until they
become proficient, after which, an hour or two a week, to keep them
so.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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