Citizens Military Training Camp - Sentinel Yearbook (Fort Sheridan, IL)

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THE SENTINEL ff , f CAMP HOLLIDAY BOYS ENJOY HIKE The annual hike of the CMTC boys from Fort Sheridan is half over as this is being written. The eight companies of Infantry started out this morning with full packs on their backs, and made camp during the noon hour on the grassy end of the great level aviation field of Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The march was about ten miles and was accomplished with little fatigue as the day has been overcast and there was no hot sunlight. The packs which the boys carried weighed from 35 to 40 pounds, depending on what was carried in addition to the prescribed articles. Each pack contained two blankets, a mosquito bar, a shelter-half with rope, pole and tent pins, a change of sox and necessary toilet articles. The raincoat was carried outside where it could be reached quickly, but there has been no rain. Aside from two young men with Charley-horses , who were picked up by the ambulance shortly before reaching the bivouac grounds, there were no casualities. A number of men developed small blisters, which were attended to by the medical detachment after the usual foot inspection by the company ofhcers im-' mediately after the pup tents were pitched. The entire two battalions will be ready for the return trip at seven on Tuesday morning, and will eat noon mess at Camp Holliday. It is a pleasure to see how well and securely these young citizen soldiers have pitched their little tents, and how straight are the lines of tentsfone line for each platoon. Sitting in the high truck where the field Publicity Office has been set up, we can look out over the acres of little canvas shelters and see the boys taking their ease, most of them with their shirts off, sitting and talking or playing games in the almost level rays of the setting sun. The sun just came out at supper time, but it is not hot, as there is a fresh breeze blowing from the south along the lake shore. Lake Michigan is just a hop, step and jump from the bivouac. Here are some boys who have been out cutting grass to make their beds softer. They are learning to hollow out places for their shoulders and hips. Here is one who is a pessimist. He thinks it will rain, he has borrowed a shovel and is ditching his tent. Most of the boys are not worrying. And neither are the mules of the machine gun company, as they stand tied to their picket line munching good, new hay. As dusk falls, all turn in for a good sleep, as they have been fed well and have had a few hours to relax and see the sights around the Naval Training Station here at Great Lakes. 12:15 a. m. Tents blow away, rain falls in torrents, the thunder and lightning pre- sents an oncoming battle scene. The students are up and attempting to hold down their tents. To hundreds this is impossible, they continue to blow away and other shelter must be found. Some seek cover in the Naval Armory. Others, more seasoned, look for a dry spot near the camp site. Dawn comes and the storm has abated-at reveille the sky is clear. Roll call finds a few missing but they show up for chow , Preparations start for the home journey, somehow each has his tent and packs are rolled. Pride, it seems, has prevented anyone from dropping out. A few rest but join the column's end. They enter the reservation and are greeted by the Band, which escorts them, playing popular airs. This causes the students to step briskly and old timers are heard to remark, we must hand it to them . Entering the company streets they sing Hail, Hail, the gang's all here . CMTC AT THE GREAT LAKES When we arrived at Great Lakes, our first work was to pitch tents. YVhen that was completed, we were formed and marched to the Dining Hall. The sky was nice and clear and none of the boys thought of pitching their tents. Well, the boys were sound asleep about 12:00 p. m., and at 12:30 they woke up and found it raining to beat the band. Some of the boys were careless and did not pitch their tents correctly and they came down. Next morning we had roll call and found out that five men were missing. A detail was sent out to hunt these men. Some ofthe detail wandered near a freight car and found these men asleep in the car. V Pagn' lfiglzzy-nine ' ' ' ......... . ..-.-7.1-v.!.v.v.v-v.v.v.n

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Page 91 text:

,alps Y THE SENTINEL I. Q f 61114 QL 5 , 5 T LAUNDRY T H EIC P O S A big work is being done by a rarely seen institution, the Fort Sheridan Post Laundry. Under the operation of the Quartermaster's Corps, the Work of the laundry is supervised by the Laundry Ofhcer, who in turn is responsible to the Quartermaster General. liach man in the Army is allowed 51.75 per month for laundry, and the work of the laundry is done at almost actual cost. During the month of the CMTC the laundry washed amounted to II,S68 bundles, a total of 225,800 pieces. T H E P O S T H 0 S P I T A L The hospital contributes a great deal of service to the CMTC. A record is kept of the physical examination of all men who come to the camp, which may be useful for future reference. Typhoid inoculations and smallpox vaccinations are completed. Facilities are available also for the proper care of any injury or illness which may arise. A special ward has been set aside for the CMTC students, with female nurses in attendance. Although these ample hospital accommodations have scarcely been needed during this camp, it is well that they are provided, as the best way to avoid trouble is to provide against it. Prlgf Aiiufly .v. .v.v. .v. .vvv.v v. .v. .v. .v. . .v. . . . .v .v,v.v.v. . .v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.vvv-v.v.v.v.vvv.v. v