Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 187, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 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, roles and directions. These are contained in the various manuafcZand" regulations of the U. S. Army, to which this course is merely introductory. PLAYING THE GAME.

There is a gripping interest about the soldier’s life that makes a strong appeal to vigorous Americans. This is doubly true in time of war when the soldier has a serious object in view and gives his whole mind to his new duties. You will find this interest growing as you advance. New scenes and associates will bring you a new point of view. You will be less wrapped up than you have been in many purely personal questions. You will cut loose from many of the petty details which tend to smother a man’s individuality. You will devote more time to thinking. The healthy good fellowship of the camp alsqcan not fail to stimulate you. Thousands of men drawn from all walks of life can not be thrown suddenly together without bringing to light many qualities previously unknown. You will probably become better acquainted With yourself than you have ever been before. In order to get the most out of this new life you must devote yourself to it heart and soul/ A good start is half the battle in making your way in the army. Even if you are not now much interested in military affairs—if you are entering the serv* ice, not because of personal inclination, but solely because it is one of your obligations as a citizen—you are going to become keenly interested after you once get into the swing and spirit of the army. This will be true in at least ninety-nine cases out of every hundred. Recognize it now and play the game hard from the very start. While the men in the national army are serving at the call of duty and not for money, nevertheless everyone will be paid more than enough to take care of all necessary, expenses. These expenses are very slight. Clothing, food and transportation are provided by government. In addition, the private soldier receives S3O per month while he is in the United States and $33 per month while he is abroad. A man may allot such portions of his pay as he desires for the support of his family or relatives. He may deposit his savings with any quartermaster in sums of not less than $5. The quartermaster will furnish to each depositor a book giving record of his deposits. On the discharge of a soldier (but not before) the total amount of his deposits will be entered on his final statement and

, will be paid to him on presentation of his deposit book. ' ■ The rate of interest allowance is 4 per cent. This is one convenient method of saving money which many soldiers will desire to use. It is easier to save in the army than it is in civil life. Saving money is not only good in itself but is a sign that you are concentrating your tinie and energy on your military duties; that you are really playing the game. The majority of the men who join the national army are old enough and have sufficient good sense and selfcontrol to conduct themselves properly, both on duty and off duty, without special advice or supervision. However, some suggestions may prove helpful. - A man in uniform is always regarded, whether he wishes it or not, as a representative of the army to which he belongs. See to it that you conduct yourself in such a way to add your bit, not only to your own reputation, but to the reputation of the army and of the country. The use that a man makes of his time off duty is a good test of his character and of his capacity for growth. The good soldier is selfrestrained. Don’t spent your time repeating indecent stories. They add nothing whatever to your standing, either with the men to whom you tell them or with your officers. Avoid boisterousness, vulgarity, and profanity. This don’t mean at all that you should keep yourself in the background or that you should fail to be a good mixer. Let your personality stand out. Broaden your influence by every proper method. But use your personality and your influence to help the men in your own squad i and company carry on their work and prepare as quickly as possible for the big task ahead of you. Save some of your spare time for study. The manuals and drill regulations will grow more and more interesting to you as you become more familiar with your new duties. Make yourself an authority on everything that pertains to company drill. These are simple rules that will help any man, whether in or out of the army, to make himself liked and respected. They are easy rules to observe. Follow them, and you will add greatly to your enjoytaent of army life and to your chances for promotion.