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 66 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. |