The statement printed below, which was given out at the Military Office late last night, outlines briefly the work of the University Reserve Officers' Training Corps for the remainder of its three months' period of training, which will close on or about August 23. In addition to much work of a practical and theoretical nature which will be conducted under the French and American officers, the entire regiment will go on a long hike of 250 miles during the month from July 16 to August 15. Although as yet no definite announcement as to the direction of this hike has been made, it is understood that it will be to the north into Maine. The dates have also been set for the range work of the various battalions at Wakefield, and the time which is to be devoted to these and other branches of the training is indicated below.
On the first of each week the detailed program for the six days to follow will be published.
The official statement is as follows:
Program of Training.
1. The work in the training corps this summer has but one object, that of preparing men to serve as officers in the new national armies. It is presumed that all men now in the corps have enrolled with that idea in mind.
In order to prepare men in the short time available for the important duties of a commissioned officer, a program of intensive training has been prepared covering the necessary practical and theoretical instructions. For the present there will be eight hours of practical work and about two hours of theoretical work a day (Saturday afternoon off). It is to be understood, however, that these hours will be shortened or lengthened by the commanding officer when he finds that by so doing he can improve the course of instruction.
Until the close of the academic year members of the Corps will be quartered as at present. About June 20 the entire Corps will be moved into barracks where they will live until July 16. From July 16 to August 15 the Corps will make a practice march of about 250 miles under war conditions. On the return from this march they will again go into barracks for about one week, during which time practical and theoretical examinations will be held, to further assist in determining those men fitted for commissions in the Officers' Reserve Corps. The names of men thus selected will be forwarded to the War Department with the recommendation that they be commissioned. Men not 21 at that time and therefore not eligible for commissions, will be given, if otherwise qualified, certificates and their names reported to the War Department with the recommendations that they be commissioned when they reach the required age.
It must be impressed upon all members of the corps that the object of this training is to fit them for service as commissioned officers. Each man should endeavor, by careful attention to instruction, by the soldierly performance of all duties and by study at odd hours, to perfect himself as an officer.
Cadet officers and non-commissioned officers will be appointed for the purposes of drill and administration in the Corps; but the members of the Corps must remember that the mere attainment of cadet rank should not be the main ambition of members of the Corps during this training. It will take the utmost effort, mental and physical, of every man to perfect himself in the short time available to be a leader of even a small body of troops in war.
II. From May 21 to July 16, the following practical and theoretical instruction will be given, and the time allotted to each subject will be approximately as stated herein:
Practical Instruction, May 21--July 16: Infantry Drill, three hours per day: First Aid, one hour per week.
Topography to commence May 21: Including Map Reading, Orientation, Road, Position, and Output Sketching; two companies per day.
Small Arms Firing: Sighting Drill, Position and Aiming Drill, Gallery Practice, Estimation of Rangers, Marksman's Course, Combat Exercises; six hours per week until first battalion goes to range. 1st Battalion, Wakefield, June 4-9, inclusive; 2d Battalion, Wakefield, June 11-16, inclusive; 3d Battalion, Wakefield, June 18-23; Others who have not completed course, June 25-30, inclusive.
Practical instruction in intrenching, mine warfare, hand grenades, barbed-wire entanglements, and other work especially adapted to warfare on the Western
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