High School Cadet Corps - Adjutant Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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AN EVALUATION OF CADET TRAINING By DR. STEPHEN E. KRAMER, First Assistant Superintendent of Schools HE recognition of the worth of military training in the high school to the com- munity should arise not primarily from any enhanced value on the score of preparedness but from thefundamental educational advan- tages which the military organization affords the growing youth of our schools. A degree of preparedness naturally results from a military organization, but I believe that we should regard military preparedness as a by-product of such training and not the fun- damental principle which should govern in the selection of military training as a school activity and its incorporation in the educational life of the boy. Social, physical, moral, and sentimental values of the cadet organization relating to the boy as an individual with the duty of learning to ad- just himself to a satisfactory, efficient and happy life among his fellows should be the determin- ing factors in the parental choice, when the question faces him as to whether his son should or should not join the cadet organization. It must be clearly borne in mind that military training as developed in the high schools of the District of Columbia is an activity interwoven in the whole life of the school. Related to the military organization are scholarship, school cit- izenship, worthy membership in the student body, trustworthiness, leadership, and high ideals. The cadet organization is an integral part of the school orggnization, not a separate institution superimposed upon the academic life of the school. In every contact with the other phases of school life the cadet is considered as a student rather than as a soldier. It is impor- tant that these facts be constantly before us in considering the claims which can properly be set forth of worthy results derived from the kind of military training which Washington believes in and which is well exemplified in her military organization. What does a boy get from his experience in the kind of military which is provided in the schools of the District of Columbia? Training in coordination of mind and body-attentive ness, mental and physical-social adjustment with his fellows-subordination without a con- viction of inferiority-leadership without arro- gance-are some of the outstanding benefits di- rectly resulting from his service in the cadets. The cadet realizes that he can obey orders which contribute to the comfort or success of the group Twenty-one without sacrificing his individual dignity. He discovers the meaning of being an essential part of the group and the responsibilities attendant upon his faithfully discharging the duties of his position. By his cooperation the group succeeds and without his part faithfully performed the group fails. In the schools of the District of Columbia military training is given the form of a contest of skill which involves not a selected group of gifted individuals but the mass performance of nearly 2000 boys. The organization is largely self-disciplined and self-instructed. Victory in the contest is gained by the average performance of the group. No better example of team play and performance of the group rather than the individual can be found. No other school ac- tivity offers to so large a group of pupils oppor- tunity for self expression in service to an ideal. The sense of individual responsibility for the good of the group is highly developed not only in the officer but in the newest recruit. The Washington organization is truly demo- cratic. The officer comes to command as the result of long service and proven superiority. Each cadet knows that leadership is open to him if he will exert himself. Promotion is based not only on strictly military achievement but upon superiority in fields which every good school system emphasizes. To reach a position as an ofhcer the cadet must achieve a good stand- ing in the following Helds: l. Scholarship 2. Military efficiency 3. Physical fitness 4. Ability to obey 5. General emciency 6. Ability to command 7. Power of initiative 8. Personality 9. Spirit of service 10. Loyalty to school ll. Tact IZ. Belief in his own power to make good.

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F , , +- 2 3 Y 5? is aw ww , , ut 1 DR. STEPHEN E. KRAMER First Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Charge of Cadets CCadet in Company D., Central, 18895

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Through his four years of service these are the ldeals before a boy in the military organiza- tion of our schools. In the course of training in which each one must bear his share and in which there is em- phasized the importance of the individual in his contribution to the level of group perform- ance, a line fellowship is developed. No other school activity leaves so lasting an impression on the graduate. A boy who once has been a member of the cadet corps continues his interest in the organization and the annual contests, in- to manhood and even advanced ages. Former cadets come back by thousands to the annual competitive drills. In this statement I have endeavored to deal with facts, not theories. I have tried to speak that which I know through an experience of many years in which I have never lost intimate touch with military training in the city of Washington. I know that military training of the right sort can establish in young men ideals. a sense of civic responsibility, a devotion to his fellows and such worthy ambitions as any father would desire his son to possess. Admiration for or tolerance of war has no place in the minds of these boys. Their thoughts are fixed upon the developments of a real skill and the enjoyment of a great game. ' ROBERT L. HAYCOCK AS A CADET MR. ROBERT L. HAYCOCK was a member of Company H, Western High School's iirst cadet company. During the first year of its existence this company was drilled by officers borrowed from the Central High School. The second year the company had its own officers, and Mr. Haycock was a sergeant. The competitive drill that year was held for the first time at the base- ball park. Previous drills took place in theaters. The following year, 1895, Company H, led by Captain .Ioe K. Taussig, of Western High School, won the competitive drill. This was Western's first victory. DEVITT SCHOOL '2961 UPTON STREET, N. W., Opposite Bureau of Standards WASHINGTON, D. C. Special Coaching During Summer For College Boards and College Credits DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL PREPARES FOR ALL COLLEGES BY CERTIFICATION AND COLLEGE BOARD EXAMINATIONS, FOR WEST POINT. ANNAPOLIS, COAST GUARD A MEMBER OF AND ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIA- TION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES AND MARYLAND. Twenty-two