Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 185, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1917 — HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

HOME-READING COURSE FOR CITIZEN-SOLDIERS

(Issued by the War Department and all rights to reprint reserved.) This course of thirty daily lessons is offered to the men selected for service in the National Army as a practical help in getting started in the right way. It is informal in tone and does not attempt to give binding rules and directions. These are contained in the various manuals and regulations of the U. S. Army, to Which this course is merely introductory. YOUR EQUIPMENT AND ARMS.

Each soldier in a modern army carries with him sufficient food, clothing, shelter, fighting arms, and ammunition to take care of himself for a short period in case he should be separated from his company. The total weight of his load, in addition to the clothes he wears, is 50 to 70 pounds. The number of articles is surprisingly large. They are so devised, however, that by ingenious methods of packing and adjusting they can all be carried with the least possible effort. You are personally responsible for all the arms, clothing and supplies issued to you. The trained soldier keeps track of them. He knows immediately at any time where every one of his belongings is to be found. You are required to keep them' in good condition. In case you need other articles, they may be issued to you; but their value in that case will >e deducted from your next pay.

You -Will receive on enlistment an ample supply of clothirtg, including not only your uniform, but shoes, shirts, underclothes, and socks. You may not be able always to keep your clothing spotlessly clean. But when it becomes dirty or spotted take the first opportunity to clean it thoroughly. Your shoes must be cleaned and jolished frequently. Wet shoes should ie carefully dried. Army men frequently dry their shoes during the night by taking a few handfuls of dry, clean pebbles, heating them in a meat can or kettle until they are very hot, and then placing them in the shoes. So long as the pebbles are hot move them about once in a while by shaking the shoes. Take care not to heat the’ pebbles so hot that the shoes will be scorched. Wear your hat straight. Keep all buttons fastened. Have your trousers and leggings properly laced. Keep yourself clean shaved. Carry yourself like a soldier. , Besides his extra clothing a soldier carries a blanket, a rubber poncho, a canteen, a mess kit, including meat can, knife, fork and spoon, a cup, toilet articles, a first aid package, and some minor belongings. One of the most useful pieces is one-half of a shelter tent, with ropes and pins. The shelter tent is said to be a French invention which was introduced into thfe American army during the civil war. Two men can combine their halves and set up a shelter tent in a few minutes. While it can not be described as roomy, it is just what its name implies, a shelter from wind and rain. It is used only in temporary camps. Your chief fighting tools will be a rifle, a bayonet in a scabbard, a cartridge belt, and an intrenching tool. Other weapons or defenses needed in modern trench warfare will come later. Do not under any circumstances lose track of these articles while on field duty. So long as you possess them, you are an armed soldier capable of defending yourself and of performing effective service. Without them you are for all practical purposes helpless. The rifle is the soldier’s closest friend. His first thought should be

to guard it and care for it above all his other possessions. He expects it to take care of him in emergencies. In ordinary times he must take care of it. In caring for a rifle it is especially important to keep the bore clean. In so doing be sure to avoid injuring the delicate rifling which causes the bullet to spin as it is forced out and thus greatly increases the accuracy of firing. Never put away a rifle that has been fired or exposed to bad weather without first- cleaning it. Never lay a rifle flat on the ground. Rest it securely against something. In lowering the rifle to the ground, whether during drilling or at any other time, see that it touches the ground gently. Don’t play with your rifle. A rifle or revolver, whether loaded or unloaded, should never be pointed at a person unless you fully intend to shoot that person, if necessary, in the performance of your duty. When a firearm is put into your hands you are intrusted with a great responsibility for its proper use. Anybody in normal physical condition can learn to be a good shot. Two of the most important points to remember are to take a deep breath just before completing your aim so that you may hold the rifle with perfect steadiness, and to squeeze the trigger so that the gun will not be jerked from its aim at the moment of firing. When you become an expert marksman) provided you have also the' courage which permits you to remain cool and collected on the battlefield) you will have added immensely .to your value as » citizen The simple fact that you qualify as a marksman will give you more self-confidence and self-control.

The amount of ammunition which an American infantryman carries into battle is usually 220 rounds. In an advanced firing position, where it is difficult to bring up reserves of ammunition, it is necessary to be economical. Bear this in mind during your target practice and learn to make every shot count. In modern warfare the intrenching tool is an essential part of your fighting eqiiipment. The eight men in each squad carry these 8 tools: 4 shovels, 2 pick mattocks, 1 polo or hand-ax, and 1 wire-cutter. In ordinary soil you can quickly throw up a shallow trench which will protect you to a great extent from the enemy’s fire. After a trench has once been started, it can be deepened and extended, even in the face of the enemy without the soldiers exposing himself to direct fire. Don’t look on practice in digging trenches as if it were drudgery. Skill in seeking and making cover from the enemy’s fire is far from being a sign of weakness on the soldier’s part. 'Rather it is a sign of the determination and courage that marks a really efficient fighting force. The day has gone by when either officers or men are expected to stand out in the open. They should use every effective method of self-protection so long as it helps to gain ground and defeat the enemy.