Norwich University - War Whoop Yearbook (Northfield, VT)

Page 15 text:

S GNA One of the most important branches in our present-day Army is the Signal Corps, whose duties are many and varied. Their primary duty is to co-ordinate and inform the various combat and service units in the course of battle. The Signal Corps is also responsible for security, photography, public relations, visual aids, and many other ele- ments of warfare. Lt. Col. Hantzes, with the able assistance of Captain Mathey and MfSgt. Thrash, conducts the Signal Corps ROTC Training at Norwich. Courses are covered in radio operation, wire laying, tele- phone communications, and cryptography, as well as supplementary courses in military law, tactics, repair, and supply. The Signal Honor platoon is composed of the Cadets enrolled in the Signal Corps who have shown themselves to be superior in military and academic subjects, and leadership. The Honor Platoon does more for the school than any other honor platoon by providing communications for all Forum events, athletic contests, and for Ski events at Stowe and Mad River Glen. The instructors in the Signal Corps teach the Cadets not only to strive for perfection in the military subjects, but also to strive for the highest degree of friendly co-operation among men. 11

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0 6 giriiixg ff 52: N ig-I-g g-gl , A e AR T10 Y I 0B Armor, the successor of the famous horse cav- alry school throughout the Army, stands as the oldest branch of the ROTC unit here at Norwich. The majority of Norwich graduates are still being sent to the Armor School at Fort Knox and from there to service in this branch. The Armor section is situated in the Military Motors Shop, using five M-47 tanks and several trucks, jeeps, and a weasel for instructional pur-' poses. They also have numerous other engines, weapons, and varied training equipment in con- stant use. The new M-47 tanks, which replaced the old M-4's, are a tremendous improvement and morale lifter for the instructors and cadets alike in the Armor Section. just having these expensive tanks Cas well as other equipmentj shows the es- teem in which the ROTC units here at Norwich are held by the Army. Due to weather conditions here at school, we have adopted a system of gaining practical experience in the operating and fighting of combat vehicles in the fall and spring, while receiving the necessary classroom instruction in theory and administration during the cold winter months. The Honor Tank Platoon, under the auspices of the Armor section, gives its demonstrations and represents the unit in parades and ceremonies. The task of instruction in Armor is delegated to a staff of ofiicers and non-coms assigned to Norwich by the Army. Not only are these instructors re- sponsible for the training of cadets here at Nor- wich, but they also help to train the same cadets at the Fort Knox summer camp the cadets'junior and senior years.

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l,.lL.l lil l.l.l-I uuu l-l Emi :' : ' EFF . 1 QW? 53545 T ENG NEER This year, with the addition of another oflicer, the Department of Military Engineers has contin- ued its expansion of facilities. Although the branch is the newest at Norwich, having started in September 1951, it has grown steadily. An example of this growth is the Society of American Military Engineers. With increasing membership, the so- ciety has been able to conduct an annual field trip to the Loring Air Base in northern Maine. This experience coupled with bimonthly meetings, has brought a greater interest in military en- gineering. The instruction involved in Combat Engineering is basically practical, a much needed variation from the theoretical work of college classrooms. A course such as Bridging'l is good background for any engineer, be he in military or in civilian ser- vice. This and other instruction in demolitions is given by the head of the department, Major Kershaw, and two assistants, Captain James Wel- cher and SFC Richard Kregier. Probably the most vivid memory that the seniors have of military engineering is summer camp. At Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the principles taught at Norwich are put to use in rigid training. Complete bridges are assembled and torn apart in a matter of hours. This and other feats have been accomplished with hard work on the part of both instructors and cadets. Although the Engi- neering branch is relatively new at Norwich it has certainly proven itself and is here to stay.