ROTC Training Center - Sand Yearbook (Camp Custer, MI)

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The Reserve Ofiicer's Training Corps NYhen the great XVorld XYar came as an avalanche, few people thought the United States would he endangered, hut hy degrees affairs so developed that it was soon clear to all that we could not possihly keep out and keep our un- hlemished record clean. When the terrihle arm of war finally did reach out and envelop us in its powerful and ghastly grasp, we were all ready and willing to do our utmost towards loosening its clutches. X'Vithin a remarkahly short time Uncle Sam had millions of men enlisted in his service who would soon he capalmle of competing with the almost irresistihle forces of the Ilun. The vast territory of the United States was well ahle to furnish men hy the millions, hut without capahle leaders to officer these men in the discipline and training of the soldier, and ahove all to lead them over the top through No Man's l.and they were practically useless, and it is a well-known fact to every one now that it was just here where we encountered the first and really only harassing oh- stacle. Other difficulties could he overcome with money and lahor, hut this one required time, the one asset in which we were found sadly deficient. This war has demtmnstrated-what has not heretofore heen generally under- stood-that only a mentally developed and disciplined man is capahle of heing a good officer. 'l'he shortest way to this training and discipline is, in the great majority of instances, through a college education. lixceptional men may in exceptional cases arrive at the same result through self-education and expe- rience, hut the standard should he a college education or the demonstrated equivalent. The initial education of the officer, like the initial education of any other professional man, should he primarily designed to open the mind to the stored up thought and experience of the world and to train the mind to think quickly, logically and independently. Tn addition to this initial education, every professional man must have a thorough schooling in the technique of his chosen calling. liven with all this, a high degree of proficiency can he attained only hy practice, original research and constant study. ln the creation of an effective hody of officers-regular or reserve--we have to deal really with four prohlems: first, the initial general education of the man: second, his initial military education and training, third, how to eliminate those who after a trial prove incompetent, and, fourth, how to so develop the residuum that the highest standard of military leadership is acquired and maintained. XVhen war was upon us. Officers' Training Schools were immediately opened and every man who could possihly develop into an ofiicer was encouraged to enter one of these schools. College and university men especially were solicited and it was later found that it was just these men who proved the greatest suc- cess. .Xn intensive training was given these men for about six months, and they were then commissioned 2nd lieutenants, after which a new quota took their places. 13

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k X - XQwt ...Cr 'Nl 1 ,L , p . , . 'i 1- V- l ' Q A 1, I. I gli ,124 Q, f xi Qi , I 1 QM, x QLX5 !,gI, ., i Mass SERt:i1.xN'1's .xxn Cooks Top Row CStam1ingrgCll Kraywko, 1Ym., Sergt., Co. 2. Detroit, Michigan: C25 Petersen, XV. Y.. Sergt. Co. 3. Chicago. Ill.: C33 Kruso, Joe, Cook, Co, 2, C41 l'asolt-nos, Ci.. Cook, Oliicers Mess: C31 Rancks. Harry, Cook, Co. 5, Coleman, Mich.: Col Anderson. Ernest, Sergt.. Co. 3. Johanasburg. Mich., C72 Gardner, Frank, Cook: CSD Adamsky, J., Cook, Co. 2, Detroit, Mich.: C91 Lind, Oskar, Sergt., Co. 6, 1523 Stephenson Avo., Iiscanaha, Mich.: C1111 Peterson, O. Ii.. Cook, Co. 3, 414 Wisconsin Ave.. Gladstone. Mich.: C111 Perkins. Sam, Cook. Co. 3: C123 Rademakur, Jay, Cook, Co. 4. 036 Charles Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich., C133 Adams, Clinton, Cook. Co. 0, 2130 S. Division St., Grand Rapids, Mich., C141 Mikil, Sam, Cook, Co. 6, 85 High St., NY. Clayton Cafe. Detroit, Mich. llottozn Row CSeatedD-CID Goret, Benjamin, Co. 2, Corunna. Mich., C23 Ruppel, John, Cook, Co. 1, 2317 S. Hamilton St., Saginaw, Mich., C32 Campbell,, Carl. Cook, Off. Mess, Fife Lake, Mich.: C-U Pietsch, Arthur, Sgt. lst Class, CSD Miller. Carl. Cook, Co. 5. St. Paul, Minn.: C65 XYeaver, Harry, Cook, Co. 5, St. Paul, Minn.: C71 lliltlehrand. S.. Sgt.. N. C. O. Mess. R. 2, Box 301, St. joseph. Mich., C81 Dungan, Chas.. Cook, Co. 1, Eaton, Ill., C91 Dewalt, Orland, Cook, N. C. O. Mess. Crestline. Ohio: C107 Pyles. Fred. Cook, N. C. 0. Mess, New Haven, Ill.: C115 Ray, Arthur, Cook, N. C. O. Mess. Gen. Del. Collinsville. Ill.: C121 Hollgfave, Chester, Cook, Co. o, Gen. Del. Collinsville, Ill., C137 Miller, Palmer, Cook, Co. 6, Oblong, III.: C147 Kunkel, Peter. Cook, Co. 4, 134 li. Van Buren St. Battle Creek: Clil: C161 Goetz. XY:n.. Cook, 05. Mess, S92 19th St., Milwaukee. XVis. r

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It was just in regard to this lack of otiicers that Uncle Sam was found want- ing at the crisis, but he quickly learned his lesson by this experience, which might have proven disastrous, and at once took steps toward providing for pre- paredness in the future. And the result of these measures was the organiza- tion of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is an organization which might be termed the fifth arm of the service, established in the year 1916. It is different from all other and similar branches of the army in this that the various units are placed in the many educational institutions throughout the United States. It has two divisions, the junior and Senior, the one for preparatory and high schools and the other for colleges and universities. From this it is evident that it requires men who have had their faculties thoroughly developed by long training to lead and direct men in the army as well as those in any other walk of life. And never before has this been better proven than in the late war, where the quickest and surest thinker was the best officer. To receive a com- mission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Reserve Onicers' Training Corps, it is neces- sary for the applicant to have taken and successfully completed the prescribed four years' course, to have attended one summer camp lasting six weeks, and to have reached his Zlst year. He is then commissioned an ofncer in the United States army, to be held in reserve, and to be called upon for his services when- ever the necessity may arise. So we see if the R. O. T. C. is well supported, we need have no fear for the future in case of a sudden opening of hostilities, for we will be well sup- plied with trained men who can cope with the situation, and not only will they be officers, but they will be educated officers. In taking the prescribed military course at their schools, they secure the training necessary to perform the duties as officers, with the least practicable interference with their studies and civilian duties. By far the best part of the training received and that really enjoyed is the six weeks' summer course at an army camp. All the regular army rules are strictly enforced, more so than at many of the schools, thus instilling into the student that inherent sense of discipline so necessary and noticeable in a well- trained soldier. But this is not all that goes to make -the time fly by, as it actu- ally does. livery effort is made on the part of the instructors to insure plenty of recreation and amusement of every kind. Athletic equipment, bathing suits, etc., are provided and all are encouraged to make use of them. Dances are given twice and three times a week, and for those who will there is plenty of fun and amusement for every moment of the day. And our mentality isn't neglected either, for a series of lectures are given which average at least one a day, and every Saturday a test is given on the work gone over in the preceding week. So it is easily seen that no item is neglected in the development of the true snappy army officer by the course of instruc- tion and training laid down by the powers that be for the Reserve Ofhcers' Training Corps, and any man who takes advantage of this opportunity of thus serving his country is the wiser, for he cannot help but finish it a better man, a better soldier, and equipped with a better character. C. J. Ckirsic, The Editor. 14