Jefferson Barracks Citizens Military Camps - Jeffersonian Yearbook (Lemay, MO)

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JEFFERSONIAN l -'- l t The Training Camp Movement On the 13th of June, 1921 President Viiarren G. Harding made at the VVhite House the following statement: Our present national defense law establishes an economical and democratic military policy thoroughly consistent with our national traditions. It provides for a small Regular Army, to be augmented by great citizen forces in the event of national emergency. This is our traditional military policy. But Where- as in the past these larger war forces have been extemporized after the occurrence of an emergency,the new law wisely provides that the framework of their organization shall be established and developed in time of peace, in so far as this is practicable through the voluntary service of our patriotic young men. The Army of the United States as defined in the new law comprises the Regular Army, the National Guard and the Organized Re- serves. livery patriotic citizen should encourage the develop- ment of these forces, each within its proper spheref' President Harding referred in the above statement to the Army Reorganization Act of June 4th, IQZO, which marked an epoch in our military legislation. It was the concrete embodiment of a very conservative judgment on the important question of national de- fense, as viewed in the light of the World VVar. Enacted nearly two years after the Armis- tice it reflected a certain public opinion as to the unlikelihood of newconflicts by reducing the Regular Army to what was considered a radical minimum, falthough unfortunately it has since been still further reducedj, while at the same time it recognized the need of national insurance by providing for the gradual organization of volunteer forces of defense. An essential part of the policy thus adopted is found in the Reserve Officers, Training Corps and the Citizens' Xlilitary Training Camps without which the National Guard and the Reserves, the second and third elements of the Army of the United States, cannot be adequately maintained. So important is the principle of training in the Army Reorganiza- tion Act that President Harding has repeatedly said: I hope every young man, who can arrange it, will attend one of the Citizens' hlilitary Training Camps, conducted by the War Department in each of the nine Corps Areas. ln this way he will increase his worth to the nation and obtain individual benefits of priceless value to himself and to the community in it hich he lives. I hope to see established, during my administra- tion. a comprehensive system of voluntary military training for .tt least IO0.000 men each yearf' . 'llltis plan had been proposed to the llvar Department by the hlilitary Training Camps Ns-ociation on .Xngttst 29th, IQZO in a letter suggesting that suitable appropriations be asf-.t-tl horn QiHlltfl't'SS to hold civilian camps throughout the country in the summer of 1921. Setretary kltiltn ll. Xleeks promptly favored the request and the VVar Department in- tltttlt-tl this itt-in in its annual budget. llihen it was discussed by the hlilitary Affairs Votntniftee til the llonse, Representative hlulius Kahn, Chairman, supported it on the lttogttl qoztttnt nt of tfiv ic advantage, saying: The value of this training cannot be estimated HIILH' S't'5't'tt

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JEFFERSONIAN on a financial basis. The physical benefits derived by the participants will be invaluable. lt will add materially to the virility of our young men, it will teach them self-reliance, respect for law and order, obedience to constituted authority-essentials that are ab- solutely necessary in a Republic like ours. Senator James XV. Viiadsworth, Chairman of the Senate Committee, expressed his belief that Hthe great interest manifested by the country in these camps will make it clear to everyone concerned with military affairs that the principle upon which they are based is a sound one and that young America wel- comes the ideaof voluntary military trainingf' Congress made an appropriation sufficient for one month of training for approximately 10,000 young men in the nine Corps Areas. That this was considered merely a beginning was clearly indicated by Secretary Wfeeks when he said: 'QI hope that the time is not far distant when every young man in the country will look forward, seriously and expectantlv, to his attendance at this institution for the molding of mgenf' Popular approval immediately stamped the new policy. Although only 10,000 places were open to young men in IQZI more than 40,000 made application and the twelve camps conducted in the nine corps areas were uniformly successful. It was not difficult, therefore, for the iiiar Department, with the consistent support of the hfilitary Training Camps Association, to secure in IQ22 an appropriation sufficient for 27,000 young men who during August received their training in twenty-five camps located according to population in all parts of the United States. The purpose of these camps is to promote good health, good citizenship and a capacity and willingness for national service in time of need. Young men are admitted to the begin- ning course between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five, provided they be of good char- acter, intelligence and physical condition. The Government pays all expenses including transportation, uniforms, food and medical care. No service obligation is coupled with camp attendance, but it is hoped that men who enroll will be inclined thereafter to join the National Guard or the Reserves. The camp schedule calls for elementary infantry drill in the beginning and later for special training in the different branches of the Service. Physical health and development are especially emphasized. Army surgeons examine each candidate carefully on his ad- mission to camp, corrective exercises are prescribed when necessary, a record is made of each man's progress during the month of training and when it is deemed desirable, suggestions are given to the candidate for the later consideration of parents and physicians at home. A large part of the day is given to a variety of athletic sports under expert super- vision and every young man is encouraged to develop a habit of life which will lead to phy sical health and vigor. Social and recreational features of camp life are carried on under the direction of men and women qualified and experienced. The moral and religious life during the month of training is the care of Army Chaplains of different faiths. A high morale is the primary aim of the Camp Staff. The Citizens' Xlilitary Training Camps offer a well graded sequence of instruction for tlnee years. The Red Course is for beginners with little or no previous military train- ing a nd prepares for an enlisted status in the National Guard or the Reserves. The second year. or Xxillllt' Course, oiiers more advanced training and graduates of it may become non commissioned officers. Xlen who finish the second year with credit are admitted tw the final Blue Course, on graduation from which they can receive on due recommenda- tion a coniniission in the Reserves. The Red Course is preferably the same for all candi- .clatcsg in the Viihite and Blue Courses men select and are admitted to the special training tif the lnfantry, Cavalry, Artillery, lfngineers, Signal Corps, or Air Service. These are civilian camps under the direction of the Viar Department. Every effort is made to keep them true to the best ideals of American citizenship. In young men is Page .Yzuw