St Georges High School - Lance Yearbook (Middletown, RI)

Page 106 text:

4. ., TH IE COLORS

Page 105 text:

on the older boys in the battalion and consequently have taken little or no interest in military drill. This year they have their own company, their non-commissioned ollicers are their own size, and, as they are almost all appointed from their own l'1UlkS. there is always keen competition going on for the positions. They have also been organized as a signalling unit and have become very prolicient in this as well as in many other branches of military drill.. A Small drtlm and bllgle CUVPS also has been organized and has helped the battalion in close order work and in practicing parades and other ceremonies. Another extremely important innovation this year has been the additions marie to the former system of qualifying men for positions 'ts commissioned and nonrcommissioned ofiicers. Under the old system a man was appointed a commis- C stoned or a non-commissioned olhcer after .passing a short oral examination on the elements of drill. Ihis year a system of written examinations has been instituted whereby a cadet must pass several dilhcult examinations on various phases of military work before he can become an oflicer. In order to be a non-commissioned or a commissioned oflicer, a cadet must qualify by passing examinations in the following subjects: schools of the soldier, squad, company, battaliong 5Cm21Ph01'C Slgllfllllllgi llflyfllwf Llflllt Hllfl llCltl. problems. ln addition to these qualifications he must have ability to com- mand and instruct fairly large bodies ol' men in all of these subjects. This plan of examinations has worked out very well and it is safe to say that the non-commissoned oliicers know more about the principles of drill and their practical application than ever before. A short rifle range was constructed on the north football field and rifle practice has been carried on there as well as on the indoor range with the small caliber rifles. As the light is much better on the outdoor range it makes a far better place to shoot than we have ever had before and many good scores have been made on it. During the Spring Term practice with the Krags on the longer range has been taken up and several good SCOPCS have been made there as well. Bayonet drill as taught in the British and American Armies, which was only touched upon last year, has been taken up intensively this year, and a higher degree of proficiency has been reached in it. Every morning before breakfast the battalion assembled on the South football lield for a brief setting up drill, This drill has helped the school in many ways. ln addition to improving the bearing of the battalion, it has greatly re- duced the number of latenesses to breakfast, as everyone must now come to morning drill or do fatigue duty for two hours on Saturday afternoons. ' The weather during the Winter Term was unusually ml t ant wit a e doors almost every drill day. Drill was held twice a week during the winter for a period of an hour on each day. This time was devoted largely to close order drill, but two maneuvers were held with very satisfactory results. These maneu- vers help greatly to develop the initiative of the men and they take a great deal of interest in them. The results of the time devoted to close order were seen clearly when the battalion participated in a parade given in honor of Admiral Sims. Our platoon fronts were practically perfect as we passed the reviewing stand and every man in the battalion has a right to feel proud of the showing we made on this occasion. Throughout the drill periods the staff has tried to let as many men as possible act as non-commissioned and commissioned oflicers and their ability to command and their interest in drill has been increased in this way. Captain Hulburt, a captain in the coast artillery, has been our military instructor during the past year and he has devoted much of his exceedingly valuable time to the battalion. Under his supervision drill at St. Georgels has gone better than ever before and the I.ANt'lc takes this opportunity to express the gratitude of the school for his valuable aid. M. D. 'll l ' h f w exceptions the battalion drilled out- 10+

Page 107 text:

Hi A 3 . JI fa , 'f 35 TQ 3 'u X , H it 4 ' J... f .Ln.1' ,ji 'Q-W' au, . ..,,. -.-:,L X 4 I OFIFICI-IRS Ulf' 'l'l1li BA'l l'AI.IUN up: Licuts. llzlycs, lilndgctl, Henry, Nnwell. Iinllum: Capt. Reynolds, Maj. Duane, Fnpt. cle Silmur.