To pitch, strike and fold common, wall and pyramidal

tents

256

Officers:

Instruction with the saber.

260

PREFACE

The training regulations, as published by the War Department, and issued to all components of the Army, is the standard to which all training must conform. They, together with Field Service Regulations and certain other publications, might be considered as the training library. To the National Guard, with its limited time for training, both in the armory and in the field, the larger part of these regulations are seldom, if ever, used.

Volume I of the basic training manual is prepared for the purpose of bringing together in convenient form all matter for instruction or information which is essential for the basic training of the individual soldier of any arm or branch, and which, when properly applied, will fit him to take up the specialized training of his particular arm or branch, because he has been instructed in some of the requisites and duties of a soldier, and has acquired some of the discipline to make such available toward the efficiency and reliability of the command of which he is a part.

It also contains the minimum specifications for qualification of the individual soldier in the various subjects which constitute this necessary basic training. This is the guide for the company commander in making his tests of individuals of his organization, as well as for the training inspections of higher authority. Certain matter that is merely informative is also included for the purpose of presenting authoritative text on some subjects that are of general military interest.

Volume II and such further volumes as may be required will contain the essential matter for the further basic training of the subunits of the company and the company as a unit, together with the minimum specifications for qualification therefor.

These volumes together constitute the basic training manual which will govern all National Guard training except for those units which have demonstrated by training and tactical tests their readiness for more advanced instruction.

The true objective of training for the National Guard is to so master the basic principles and methods that when "M" day

arrives it will have the foundation of discipline, ability to use and care for its weapons, the mechanics of drill and elemental field service, and the technique of minor tactical training, that it is qualified to quickly absorb the necessary higher training. The term company in this manual applies to all basic units-companies, troops, batteries, and detachments. CREED C. HAMMOND,

66

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 3, 1927,

Major General, Chief, Militia Bureau,

MILITARY TRAINING

1. All military training is developed and prescribed for the one purpose of putting into battle the most efficient troops possible, in the most efficient manner that can be devised.

2. To this end experience has demonstrated the following essentials:

a. Physical development, to endure the hardships of the march and the battle field.

b. Discipline, to execute unquestioningly and loyally the orders and directions of military superiors, including those orders and directions found in regulations.

c. Knowledge, to understand and to intelligenti orders, both individually and collectively.

execute

d. Practice, to attain the facility to execute orders under distracting conditions and surroundings.

3. During the peace-time training of the National Guard it can not be expected that proficiency can be acquired in all these essentials, particularly physical development, but the foundation can be laid for a rapid development when an emergency requires.

4. No training should ever be undertaken except in conformity with a well-considered plan. This plan (the training schedule) is based on the training program of the next higher commander and the special training requirements of the particular unit. The sequence of training will be governed by the scheduled training inspections of higher commanders and the demonstrated results of preceding training, as evidenced by the training chart or other satisfactory method.

5. The methods of training must be efficient to insure qualification within the time allowances, which, because of the short weekly periods, comprise few working hours. To this end the four basic elements of instruction should be carefully observed. They are:

a. Explanation, which will be short and concise, taking up one phase, movement, or element of a movement at a time. b. Demonstration.-Often coincident with explanation. An individual movement is demonstrated by the instructor. Organized movements are demonstrated by a demonstration unit, which should rehearse them in advance.

c. Practice.-Consists in the drills or exercises just previously explained and demonstrated, for the purpose of producing facility in execution and such familiarity that right actions become second nature.

d. Test.-For the purpose of demonstrating progress and qualification. When an individual or unit has demonstrated qualification in any subject it will be recorded.

6. The individual training chart should be on a sheet of cardboard about 24 by 30 inches, ruled to give a line for the name of each man of the unit and cross ruled to make a square for recording results for each man under each subject of individual training, as in the chart on page 39, Training Regulations No. 150-5; similar charts for each squad, section, and platoon should be prepared and posted. The records of all qualifications should be recorded on the chart the day they are made. The chart should be conspicuously posted and available for examination by all personnel of the organization and by higher authority. There is no greater incentive to competition than this method, with consequent increased interest and efficiency.

OATH OF ENLISTMENT

7. Every soldier on enlisting in the National Guard takes upon himself the following obligation:

day of

"I do hereby acknowledge to have voluntarily enlisted this 19, as a soldier in the National Guard of the United States and of the State of for the period of three (or one) year-, under the conditions prescribed by law, unless sooner discharged by proper authority. And I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and to the State of and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever, and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and of the Governor of the State of

and of the officers appointed over me according

to law and the rules and Articles of War."

Signature

DISCIPLINE

(A., R. 600-10)

8. General.-a. Obedience to orders.-All persons in the military service are required to obey strictly and to execute promptly the lawful orders of their superiors.