US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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CLASS HISTORY N the peaceful atmosphere of a permanent post there once lived a J company olhcer in the lnfantry of the United States Army. He Wore two bars and considered himself something of a captain, could interpret and instruct 'Lsquads right after a fashion and had replied satis- factorily when called upon to explain why only 79 per cent. of the men in his company had qualified on the range. He could do other things equally well and his colonel gave him a comfortable margin on his efiiciency report. In fact, everything considered, he was contented and almost happy. And then he went to Benning! He was in the company officers' class of 1922-23. He began to learn, and learn, and learn, and learn He learned not to hurry through things but to be on time. He learned that there are few things that are new in the world and none at all in riHe shooting, but that there are many and varied alibis on the range and that methods of organization can effect wonders. He learned that while the ability to exe- cute a finesse at bridge is valuable in its way, it is not considered an asset in learning to hold a pistol. And after awhile he learned that units are more to be desired than great riches. As the course progressed even Biblical history was made clearer. Intent on mastering the intricacies of l. D. R., and assured that all the instructors spoke the language of the- director, he suddenly realized some of the difficulties that beset the builders of the Tower of Babel. But he was patient and although often moved to softly modulated profanity, he learned to command himself up and down the drill ground with equal facility, whether considering himself a squad or a regiment. He almost reached the point where he could execute right shoulder arms while wearing a wide-brimmed Stetson. In the midst of his progress he, suddenly found that the braid on his overcoat sleeve had a superfluous strand, that he could get along with half the silver he had been bearing bravely 'on his shoulder for a number of years, and that in fact he was only about half the captain he once had con-

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sidered himself. To add to his discomliture he faced the prospect of get- ting along with less quarters and ration allowances, and was comforted not at all hy the fact that in his abstraction he had failed to answer a question on exam. that had a value of two units. He plodded wearily to his daily task. He stumbled over contour lines and lost himself in a maze of shots for critical points. He labored at his road sketch until his tongue hung out and then failed to put in the name of the Lipatoi and the railroad that operates between Benning and Columbus. Likewise he failed thoroughly to enjoy his lunch if he ate any at all. Upon turning in his sketch at the end of the period allotted he was sure of little beyond the fact that the instructor was certain to learn from it that Benning has' a very damp climate and muddy roads. About this time he became acquainted with his horse. He had been introduced to horses, but had never been placed on such intimate terms with one. It might he said that relationship between horse and oiiicer were reduced at once to the informal. There were no secrets between them. He was let into the secrets of horse manicuring and massaging, and learned that no matter how far away or in what direction you might be the horse had a near side which was constant. And then he began to ride his horse. He began gently, but that could not last. The more he rode the less gentle it became until there were times when he greatly desired to get a compass bearing to make sure that he Was coming down on the same saddle from which he started his ascen- sion. But he learned to ride. At least the instructor said he did, although he had grave doubts about the thing even unto the end. In spite of the difficulties of getting along Without troop responsibili- ties he made progress. There were numerous occasions when he found that his indorsements to the school secretary were returned as unsatisfac- tory, but still he made progress. This progress Went on steadily, even against such a handicap as appearing at formation dressed in a raincoat when the overcoat should have been Worn.