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

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I Rifle Team to Go to National Meet I 1 1 RIFLE TEAM. Top Row-1liilluvilzcr. j. 'l'.. U'l l':'lWf 39 C23 Scudmlcr, K. M., Conxpuny 23 Q35 Stuart, J. WV., Company 35 Q-U Ruffulv, 1'-, Company ll 453 'I.lvmRSl0l1, T. M., COHIIHIIIY lg L62 Nelson, Ii. L., tjommm- 2: 473 xyilgox, Nj, t'onnmny .22 183 M.cQ'ornnck, Ii. G., Company Ll. Bottom Row CSeatedl-Q12 BIOFFISOIM I'-l Lf, EDU117-310' 1: C23 Whitehead, K., Company 25 C35 Dynes, K. L., Company 45 C41 Capt. P. D0llQI'lllgC,Y.1C3Il1 Quartermaster: CSD Major A. J. Perry, Inf., Team Captain: fob IS! Li- H- XV0llfU1l.'II1f- lea!!! Ulfwhl C73 Yeager, L. H., Comp:-my 1, QSJ Owen, A- H., Company l: C93 King, M. V,, Company 0.

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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

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History of the Camp Custer R. O. T. C. llv XVAi.'r1ca lliuxizv .lune 2lst. Nearly two hundred eager faces peered through car windows and doors of the special train as it came to a stop, all anxious to get a glimpse of the big military reservation that was to be our home for the next six weeks. Three of these trains arrived during the day of Qlune twenty-first. Upon ar- rival of the last train load at about S:l5 Ii. xl., the whole group was marched to the mess hall of the First company where we had our first army meal. And it surely tasted good after a long and tiresome train ride. Then the students were sent to the Y. M. C. A. building to sign the little white enrollment cards. The students were assigned to companies and after this was over went to their respective barracks. lleds, bed clothing, and tags were issued and by the time this was completed every one was ready to turn in for a good night's sleep. .Iune 22. Uniforms were issued and at ten o'clock in the morning all were marched to the Medical lixamining Board on Thirty-second Street. Here every one went through the mill in his turn and received a shot in the arm, or in other words a typhoid inoculation. Then all were vaccinated. All this was a hard and tedious experience and some fainted. On Sunday the rest of the uni- forms were issued as well as rifles and packs. june 23. Morning drill began. XVe learned the names of the parts of the army rifles, the use of the sights, and how to care for our rifles and equipment. Lectures on hygiene were given by the officers. During this time we made the acquaintance of our officers and non-commissioned officers whom we learned to like and respect very soon. Saturday, june 28, we experienced our first weekly inspection. Nearly every one had spent the most of the night before shining up his gun and preparing in anticipation of this event. The officers were kind-hearted and allowed things to pass that never would be tolerated at the inspections that were to follow in weeks to come. However, they pointed out deficiencies and ordered them to be corrected. That afternoon we were lined up and sent to the infirmary for our second shot in the arm. By this time several new members had joined the organization, some coming a week late. They soon got into the spirit of it and in a few days could not be distin- guished from those that had been on hand from the first. In this first week we had learned to roll our packs, military courtesy and we had become fairly good soldier, at least in our own estimation. XN'e had also become well acquainted with the Y. M. C. A. and K. C. buildings and when Sunday came around many attended the church services that were held in those buildings. XVeek June 29. The second week we settled down to real work. liach morning we had drill in calisthenics, T. D. R., bayonet combat, signalling, prac- tice marehes, equipment. packs, and ceremonies. Slowly but surely the fascina- tion of the work grew upon us. As we worked along steadily from day to day, we looked forward to a holiday which we had heard was to take place on the fourth of july. Soon the day arrived and in the morning after regular parade and ceremony of raising colors, we were marched with our packs to the elec- tric line station where we entrained for Gull Lake. Some rode in the coaches, 16