Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1917 — “SETTING-UP EXERCISES” IN NAVY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

“SETTING-UP EXERCISES” IN NAVY

first class; four musicians, second class; 13 musicians, jhird class; four privates, first class, mounted; and 12 privates, mounted. Machine Gun Company. “Each infantry machine-gun company shall consist of one captain, mounted; one first lieutenant, mounted ; two second lieutenants, mounted; one first sergeant, mounted; one mess sergeant; one supply sergeant, mounted ; one stable sergeant, mounted; one horseshoer, five sergeants, six corporals, two cooks, two buglers, one mechanic; eight privates, first class, and 24 privates. “Each infantry supply company shall consist of one captain, mounted; one second lieutenant, mounted; three regimental supply sergeants, mounted ; one first sergeant, mounted; one mess sergeant, one stable sergeant; one corporal, mounted; one cook, one saddler, one horseshoer, and one wagoner for each authorized wagon of the field and combat train; “Provided, That the president may in his discretion increase a company of infantry by two sergeants, six corporals, one cook, one mechanic, nine privates, first class; and 31 privates; an infantry machine-gun company by two sergeants, two corporals, one mechanic, four privates, first class; and 12 privates.”——— ——— This calls for men who are trained, not only as soldiers, but in trades. As a general rule, a wagon train consisting of 22 wagons is required for an Infantry regiment. This gives one for each company, one for the ma-chine-gun company, three for the combat wagons (ammunition carriers), two for ' the headquarters company and four for the supply company, for tentage for men composing. iLapd for

feed for horses and extra commissaries and equipment. 25,000 in a division. The adding together of 51 commissioned officers and 1,343 enlisted men (peace strength) or a total of 2,015 officers and men (war strength) is a problem. Men cannot be drilled and taught the use of rifles, of keeping well and caring for their clothing, and above all, of obeying orders and the necessity therefor, without time. That Is why all military men advocate universal service and the adoption of a plan whereby regiments can be mobilized quickly and supplied with equipment and ordnance, When ready for duty, a regiment must be able to carry with It sufficient tentage, clothing, food and munitions to last for a specified time. In the United States army it is the organization most generally kept intact. Only seldom are portions ordered long distances, the march order being for the whole regiment to join either some brigade or division. It is complete within itself, and any subdivision of an infantry regiment is lacking in something, be it only the band that cheers the soldier evenings, if detailed away from regimental headquarters. In combat, the infantry regiment is not effective unless supporting troops co-operate. The division is considered the proper fighting force, if the enemy is organized. It consists of nine infantry regiments, two regiments of light field artillery, one of heavy field artillery, one of cavalry, an engineer corps, signal corps, aviation corps and a supply train, with reserve ammunition and equipment. At war strength a division here would consist of 25,000 officers and men, commanded by a major general.-- ■

Naval militia being trained on board a United States warship.