Citizens Military Training Camp - Full Pack Yearbook (Fort Leavenworth, KS)

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Wy N THE STORY POPITTTHE CAMPS . in 1915 and 1916 at B f W: ff 1 , il Plattsburg and a dozen other training points from New York to p California, were the fore- runners of the Officers, Training Camps of 1917 and 1918. After the Armistice there was revived the thought, cherished by Leonard VVood at Platts- burg, of voluntary camps which would train young men to the obligations and privileges of citizen- ship. Graduates of the Plattsburg,' camps had organized the Military Training Camps Associa- tion in 1916 and thus established an agency which performed during the World War effective work in co-operation with the War Department. Mindful of the benefits which they received through their voluntary training and wishing to pass this opportunity on to a younger generation, the members of the As- sociation suggested in 1920 the establishment of Citizens, Military gl Training Camps. Con- T T - gressional appropriation was secured sufficient to enable the War Depart- ' 'tl an enrollment of nearly II,OOO men. ment to open ten camps in 1921 wi 1 ' l' t o ular approval. In agreement The great success of these camps won immet ia e p p 'd d for the training of 2o,ooo young men in 1922, for with public opinion Congress provi e 25,000 in IQ23, for 33,ooo in 1924 and for 35,ooo in 1925. The Secretary of War has recom- mended increased attendance year by year as Congress may provide the means. He says, ' ' - oufnf man'in the country will look ul hope that the time is not far distant when every y g l' attendance at this institution for the molding of forward seriously and expectantly to ns lonn W. WEEKS Sfcremry of War menf, President Harding did not live to realize the hope which he expressed in 1920, Hto see established, during my administration, a comprehensive system of voluntary military training for at least one hundred thousand men each yearf' The Citizens, Camps continue to receive notable support from the Vifhite House. President Coolidge declares them an essential in the plan of national security, and says, I hope that each year an increasing number of young men will take advantage of the opportunity which is afforded themf, ' l ount during several years General Pershing In his insp ection of the camps throughout t ie c rry fa r Tru vvvvvvvvvvvv 'VV' V-V' V Y Y 7 0 b . . . .4 . . . 1 . . . .vm1.1.v.v.v.v.v.v.y.vsm!-I-' I ' - e - - ' - 4 - - 1 - - , I Y u

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THE STORY OF THE CAMPS noted thatithe men grow more aggressive, more confident, they get the spirit of leadership and initiative and in every way become better able to meet the problems of everyday life. ,gf f SX. , I W4 4 c f 73 I ' He has recently added that of all the various activities carried on under the direction of the War Department none has met with greater public approval than the Citizens' Military Training Camps. The reason is not far to seek. The CMTC are, in the words of President Coolidge, 'fcssentially schools in citizenship . They are, it is true, an indispensable factor in the maintenance ofthe National Defense Act. They are contributing an important percentage to the membership of the Ofiicers' Reserve Corps. But above all, the men, who have at- tended the camps, have carried to every community of the United States a new reverence for the Hag, coupled with high determination to do their duty as citizens. Patriotism and devotion to country are the first fruits ofthe Citizens' Camps and these qualities are backed by physical vigor, mental alertness and a higher sense of responsibility. Camps are open to young men, physically and mentally sound, between the ages of I7 and 24, in a four-year sequence, entitled, Basic, Red, White and Blue Courses. All necessary expenses are paid by the Government and the camps are so distributed throughout the country as to make them easy of access in every section. Military instruction is given for the first year in the Infantry only, but there- after, at the choice of the candidate, in the Infantry, Cavalry, Engi- neers, Artillery or Signal Corps. The schedule gives to military drill the morning hours. Afternoons are devoted to physical training, to a great variety of ath- letic sports and to systematic instruction, by lectures, conferences and discussions, in the principles of gOOd citizenship. Evening re- creation is generously provided through mov- ing pictures, concerts. amateur dramatics, dances and indoor games in theatres, clubs and hostess houses. The contribution of the Citizens' Camps to the physical well being of the country is some- ' thing difiicult to esti- mate. This year fifty thousand young men jonst L. I-limes Major Cmzrral, U. S. Army Chief of Staff Pagf l:'!z'z1fn V ' U l ' n l 'V' .v.v.v.v.v.v..-....................' ' ' ' ' ff 1 9 ,.