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

Page 48 text:

'cf fi N X if ' ' Tv I. .. ' ,Q 1.924 QQQQUBQUSA and has resulted in conscientous effort by the students to improve their physi- cal condition. In the time allotted to the subject it is impossible to develop the students into gymnasts or athletes but they do leave in a much better physical condition, and with an incentive to keep up the physical exercise to prevent physical deterioration. The new gymnasium has created an atmosphere that has stimulated the students to exceptional effort. In the past the Physical Training was car- ried on under a diverse condition without bathing or dressing facilities and on the wet ground. Lectures and blackboard talks on the theoretical side of the subject covering aims and purposes of the formal and informal physical training, its administration and its training management are interspersed in the course. Calisthenics and apparatus exercises which can be taken as in bayonet Work enabling the officer to get the maximum exercise, having a direct military bearing during the 30 minute period alloted to the formal instruction in a regiment. No effort to teach intricate evolutions or stunts on the ap- paratus is made. The activities that are taught are confined to those most applicable to the military service and within the soldier's reach. Exercises in vaulting, climbing, jumping, hanging, running, personal contact, decision, courage, endurance to develop the soldier physically and to prepare him for field service, predominate. Group games have been arranged and taught progressively, so that an,- officer may be in a position to provide games suited to any type of soldier, and lead the inapt and backward on to games requiring skillful use of all facilities. In addition to the physical benefits derived these games afford considerable recreation. Mass games which enable an officer to control the informal exercise of large groups from 20 to 300 men have been compiled or invented by the Third Section. These games are in great demand especially at the summer camps where the object is to give considerable exercise and organic develop- ment with the elements of bodily contact, team Work and recreation combined. As a means of developing esprit they have no rival. Men will play hard and determined to help their team win in these games as the enthusiasm per- meates to every man. In boxing and Wrestling the instruction, due to the time, is confined to T iffy? A, 12 ?i 5 'BJ ,131 A-- 'W l I WI ,mp

Page 47 text:

IA U Qs M! A I 3 'lg S l dug A g ' I . -C. ' , M EM DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SUBJECTS THIRD SECTION PHYSICAL TRAINING THE Infantry School is the great Normal School of the Army with a C i 'gilt a y i mission of producing instructors in all phases of Infantry train- ing. To the Third Section Department of General Subjects is intrusted the subject of Military Physical Training. It is easily I seen that to be an instructor in this phase of work the officer should know how the various forms of exercise are taken and have a fair degree of proficiency in the CSX rf-XX X,-.-X work himself. In order that they be able to serve as of- ficials and assist in developing intra-mural physical activi- ties arid properly teach or supervise the formal physical exercises in the organizations they may hereafter command a practical course rather than a theoretical course is given. By the applicatory method of having the officers act- ually performing the physi- cal training they are to later impart to their men the Stu- dent derives a considerable personal benefit in addition to a further knowledge in the subject. The student sudden- ly becomes aware that the confined duties of the past years have sapped a consider- able amount of his suppleness, strength and endurance. This awakening is very apparent ab b E B .. X I I -nn I - x l - 0 t 1' W if I I !- ' S. ff? f I b lzlvx fn 4 . 5 iiif I it if f . '21 H - if' I i E X Www if ' , 5 - 'I N. 'I 'W :Gul 1 I vii

Page 49 text:

.la 0 -Q 'K fx 'I ' 1- I I lift. sz, at 'fl - Q. : - , Ag new DouGHBoY arranging bouts and officiating. Similarly swimming instruction is confined to demonstrations and lectures. The entire course aims to show the Infantry officer the possibilities and benefits that can be derived from proper application of physical exercise in training and preparing their men to meet the trying conditions and obstacles of field and garrison duties. INFANTRY DRILL Discipline and control constitute the framework of our whole military machine, and the best means of obtaining these qualities is through the medium of close drill. As taught at the Infantry School, this subject has for its aims the perfecting of the student in individual movements and a thorough grounding in methods of instruction. No attempt is made to mould a class into a smooth, well drilled organization. On the contrary, emphasis is placed on the fact that the Infantry Officer must demonstrate and supervise drillg and the course of instruction is accordingly planned to fulfil this need. Work in close-order drill is conducted by conference, demonstration, and practical application, particular stress being given to vocal training, uniform timing of commands, and cadence drill. . .. ',,sQ?Z,7i2, . if f f4liWi1lgl5.ll4mgWyyi I .W .fm Wig .,Y? l l' 1 I, A 'DEV' .. . ' p...- I . lf . fel Ll-AY-' -1 ?