Lane Tech College Prep High School - Arrowhead Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 93 text:

Training In The R.O.T.C. Although started during the first World War, and made a permanent part of our defense sys¬ tem in 1920, most people still have an entirely wrong conception of the purpose and functions of the R.O.T.C. After twenty-five years the ma¬ jority still has the idea that “RO” consists of drill, parades and strutting around in a uniform. They believe its chief purpose is to “make sold¬ iers” out of boys. Such is not the case. The R.O.T.C. has three distinct aims in its training program for the high school boy. Just as no individual can do best when he is ill, so can no nation achieve its proper place in the world if the people who compose that nation are weak and diseased. For this reason we seek to build a strong and healthy citizenry. Through classes in First Aid and in the laws of Sanitation and Hygiene, the R.O.T.C. teaches the cadets to pro¬ tect the health and to save the lives of them¬ selves and of others. Equally important is bodi¬ ly development. Through correct posture, proper breathing, the light exercise of drill, together with the more strenuous physical exercises, we seek to build and maintain strong and healthy bodies. Even the strongest body is of little good to the nation if the mind which controls it is not in accord with the laws of the nation. In order that we may develop an honest and useful citizenry the cadet is given such subjects as Citizenship, the Constitution, American Philosophy of Gover¬ nment and Military History. Thus the cadet is taught respect for our American ideals, and how to take his place, as a citizen, in the function¬ ing of our government. Finally, we seek to develop strong, efficient and able leaders. Today, as at no other time since the founding of our republic and private enter- prize, we need men who can accept responsibil¬ ity, and who will not fail to give their best, in¬ stilling these same virtues in those serving under them. In the practical application of leadership, the first step is teaching the boy to obey. No man can become a leader, giving orders and dii’ect- ing others, until he first learns to take orders. The boy must learn to respect and obey his su¬ perior officers. He must learn self-control as well as submission to the authority of others. Hav¬ ing learned these fundamentals, the boy is now ready to advance. Having won the right to a Corporal’s rank through a competitive test, he assumes command of a squad. As he proves him¬ self he advances though the various non-com¬ missioned grades; then, if he has the ability, he may become a 2nd. Lieutenant. As a Captain he will command a company of about eighty men. He is responsible for their formations, drill, and instruction, under the watchful eyes of the Mil¬ itary Instructors. He must be a real leader. He must develope loyalty to himself and to his unit. Thus the R.O.T.C. of today, by presenting a full, well-rounded program, is developing a corps of capable, well-trained leaders who tomorrow will be able to fill the many positions of respon¬ sibility and trust where they are now needed. Page eighty-nine

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Military Instructors Sgt. Allan C. Gordon Sgt. George R. Baxter Cpl. Sam Britt Sgt. George R. Baxter Sgt. George R. Baxter, the Senior Military Intructor at Lane, is in his third year with this unit, coming to Lane in September, 1942. Sgt. Baxter was born in Kirkwood, Illinois, where he attended both grade and high school. He com¬ pleted his schooling at Brown’s, in Galesburg, Illinois, Later he accepted a position as account¬ ant in San Antonio, Texas, and then as manager of one of the Atlas News Company stores in Shrevport, Louisiana. In 1932 he joined Battery “B”, 123rd. F.A. and in 1936 was transferred to the Regimental Headquarters Battery of the same regiment. In both of these units he was an instructor in Map Reading and Pistol Marksmanship, and had charge of the Instrument and Surveying detail. While at Camp Forest, Tennessee, he was on de¬ tached service as a member of the 58th F. A. Brigade instructing staff. Following the 2nd. Army maneuvers in Ar¬ kansas and Louisiana in 1941, the Sergeant was transferred to Ft. Sheridan, where he served as Provost Sergeant and recruit instructor. In June, 1942, he was transferred to the R.O.T.C. detail here in Chicago. His favorite sports are baseball and hockey, his favorite entertainments are good music and reading. Cpl. Sam Britt Corporal Sam Britt is serving his first year as a military instructor at Lane having been as¬ signed to this detail in July, 1944 He was born in Huntingdon, Tennessee, on August 1, 1908. Here he attended grade and high school. He moved to Memphis, Tenn. where he completed high school and attended the West Tennessee State Teachers’ College. Later he attended Drau- ghn’s Business College, Burrough’s School of Commerce, and the American Institute of Bank¬ ers. He was connected with the city of Memphis for three years and then took employment with the First National Bank of that city. At the time of his entry int o the armed services he was in charge of out of town collections and local drafts. Cpl. Britt entered the army in March, 1944 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, received his basic training at Fort Custer, Michigan, and was assigned to his present detail in July. The Cor¬ poral is married, has a small daughter, and his favorite sports are tennis and baseball. Sgt. Allan C. Gordon Sgt. Allen C. Gordon is serving his first year as an instructor at Lane, coming here in Sept¬ ember, 1944. He was born inAshland, Wiscon¬ sin, where he attended grade and high school and Business College, In 1937, after having been imployed by the Abbott Laboratories for two years, he enlisted in the army at Ft. Snelling Minnesota, being as¬ signed to “F” Battery of the 14th Field Artil¬ lery. In 1939 he was transferred to the 3rd. F.A. and then to Headquarters Battery of the 19th F.A. at Fort Knox, Ky. After instructing re¬ cruits for several months he went on the Lou¬ isiana maneuvers of 1941. Page eighty-eight

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COMPETITION PLATOON CRACK DRILL SQUAD One of the outstanding events of the year, at least for the R.O.T.C., is the annual Platoon Com¬ petition, held generally in March. Every R.O.T.C. unit in the city enters a platoon in this compet¬ ition and the Armory where the event is held is crowded all day with interested spectators. The Competition is very keen and the judging is very close. Often the winners are determined by fractions of a point. Last year second and fifth place winners were separated by less than five points. The present Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, Joseph A. Downey, was commander of the platoon in the competition last spring. The platoon placed fifth in the event and each member of the platoon was awarded a ribbon bar for this honor This year’s platoon plans to do even better. Quite a number are back from last year and they are working hard to secure the plaque awarded for first place. THE COLOR GUARD The Lane R.O.T.C. unit maintains three Color Guard units in order to take care of the many calls for such work. In addition to the various R.O.T.C. and school functions at which they are used, they recieve many calls from civic and patrio¬ tic groups, for memorial services, dedications, “E” awards, parades and other affairs, as well as taking part in formalities at football games. Service on one of the Color Guards is voluntary but is eagerly sought after. It requires a great deal of practice, all outside of the regular R.O.T.C. period, and places on the detail are won only after close competition. THE FLAG DETAIL One of the jobs that falls to the R.O.T.C. here at Lane is the raising and lower¬ ing of the school flag each day. This job is given to a detail consisting of a Cadet 2nd. Lieutenant, Sergeant and Corporal. This detail is changed each week. The Lieutenant, who commands the detail, must watch the weather so that the flag does not fly in the rain. Page ninety